He’s kissing anyone tonight, it’s Lacey. He’s already made up his damn mind. They’re gonna talk and talk right. They’ve wasted enough precious time. And then ... he wants to end the night with her in his arms. With his lips on hers, Lacey’s tan legs wrapped around his—
“What can I get you, if only you’ll tell me a secret true?”
At the chipper voice, Seth shakes himself out of his thoughts. A female bartender, wearing a black lace mask on the right side of her face, leans on the bar top across from him.
Seth sighs and needles his temple. “That means you want a secret, right?”
She lifts her brows to the sign above. “For a drink, you must say what you think.”
“Great. Rhymes.” Seth glances over his shoulder. Lacey’s not where he left her. Instead, she’s moved inside the foyer, talking to a group of men who are all wearing black. “See that girl over there ... the blond ...” His blood roars in his ears, something warm blooming in his chest as he collects his thoughts. “I like her. I like her a whole damn lot and I don’t even think she knows.”
“Well, have you told her yet?” The bartender stares at him like this is the most exciting thing she’s heard all night.
“No.” Seth cringes at the rows of alcohol, wishing he had a shot right now. “I haven’t.”
The bartender shakes her head in fascination, finally dropping the mysterious act, as her jaw unhinges and her eyes widen. “She’s downright gorgeous, dude. What are you thinking staying away from her?”
Gritting his teeth, Seth rips a frustrated hand through his hair. He knows all the right answers. She’s his best friend’s sister. He’s here to take care of her. They don’t make sense. Nothing about the last few days makes sense.
Instead, he extends a hand, forcing the words past the rock in his throat. “Can I just get a drink? Whiskey. Two glasses. Please.”
“Sure thing.” The bartender gives him a judgmental stare and pours out the honey-colored liquid. “You should tell her, you know. Don’t be an idiot. Girls hate that.”
“Thanks a lot,” he mutters.
Ready to get the hell out of there, get back to Lacey and talk, he grabs up the drinks.
Only when he turns around, he runs smack-dab into Autumn. She blocks his path to Lacey. Her lips curve in a malicious smile. “I heard your secret. Want to hear mine?”
Seth groans and lifts his eyes to the sky.
It’s just gotta be his goddamn night.
Lacey sips the champagne she’s snagged from a serving tray and watches as Prentiss samples a bacon-wrapped date. He had called her over while she was waiting on Seth. Now she’s forced to endure the agony that is Prentiss trying to charm Colin.
She knows Colin secretly detests Prentiss. Mostly for his fashion sense.
As conversation swirls around her, Lacey lets her eyes drift. To Seth, standing uncomfortably in the TELL NO LIES line.
Her eyes soften at the sight of him. He looks so handsome, so sexy in his tux. His hair perfectly mussed. That great smile of his. Boyish. Charming. Adorably hot. Hot and distracting.
Lacey scowls.
Ugh.
She can’t believe she likes someone who uses three-in-one shower gel. A cowboy. How many variations on a red plaid shirt can he have? And what was she doing ordering whiskey? It was out of her mouth before she could stop it. Some brazen, idiotic way to tell Seth she maybe, kind of feels something for him.
Lacey lowers her lashes and smiles soft.
She knows she does.
Today, Seth showed her what he’s all about. A good guy who makes her laugh. Who understands her. Who treats her better than anyone ever has. She wants more. More of that—him in her space, she in his.
Absentmindedly, Lacey smooths a hand down the front of her dress, grimacing as it brushes against her stomach. The spot’s tender. Warm. In fact, the entire house is warm. Unusually hot and Lacey resists the urge to fan herself.
“Something wrong, Sutton?”
Her head snaps up. Prentiss stares at her over his glass of merlot. Colin’s drifted over to another group and is snapping photos for his Instagram. No doubt trying to lose Prentiss in the crowd.