“I do.” The admission comes easily, which surprises me. Though I guess it shouldn’t. I’ve always liked her.
“Still bothers me, that I think I know her. I swear I’ve met her before, but where?” Park tilts his head contemplating her.
“She probably just reminds you of someone,” I suggest, starting to sweat. I do not want him to figure out that he’s seen her at City Lights. Hell no.
“Maybe. I don’t know. It’s weird.”
“Hey.” Jensen appears by my side, curling her arm through mine. She looks up at me before shifting her attention to Park. “Hi, Park.”
“Hello, Jensen.” He aims his I’m-going-to-charm-your-panties-off smile right at her, but she appears unfazed. Thank God. “Looking extra delicious this evening.”
Delicious? “Seriously?” I ask him, my voice—hell, everything about me—tense.
His innocent expression is immediate. “What? She looks good! Your girlfriend is gorgeous, little brother. Take pride in it.”
Jensen doesn’t say a word. Just watches the two of us battle it out.
A tall, dark-haired woman approaches us, snuggling up close to Park. “Did you miss me?” she simpers, tipping her face up like she expects a kiss.
Park gives her a quick peck, his lips brushing against her glossy red ones. “Always do,” he says easily. They both turn to look at us. “Veron
ica, this is my baby brother, Rhett, and his girlfriend, Jensen.”
“Nice to meet you.” Veronica barely looks at us, she’s too enthralled with Park. For some reason, I’d peg her as older than Park, maybe in her early thirties. There’s something in the eyes, and her face is…weary. Her black hair is long, almost to her waist, and she’s wearing a purple sequined dress that’s a little too flashy for the party. “Let’s go outside and hang out by the pool,” she suggests to my brother.
“You should join us,” Park tells me, his gaze zeroed in on Jensen and her low-cut dress.
“In a little bit,” I answer with a brotherly smile. “We’re going to go find Dad first.”
“He’s in the dining room, chatting up his friends,” Park tells us as we start to walk away.
“Jesus,” I mutter as I steer Jensen into a nearby alcove. “My brother is annoying as hell tonight.”
“I didn’t think he was so bad,” Jensen offers. She leans against the wall and I stand in front of her, propping my hand on the wall above her head. “He was perfectly nice.”
“Sure he was, and he stared at your tits the whole time just now too,” I say irritably.
“Rhett.” She lightly slaps my chest. “That was rude.”
“He’s the rude one. He thinks you’re hot.” Her mouth drops open, but I keep talking. “He told me that when he saw you in that dress. That is the last thing he should’ve said to me.”
“You should’ve said it to him about Veronica,” Jensen suggests, an evil smile curling her lips.
“Right, and that would make me a liar, because she is definitely not hot.” I slip my other arm around her waist, pulling our lower bodies close together. “But you are so hot. I shouldn’t have let you out of the house in that dress.”
“You like it?” She arches a delicate brow.
“I love it.” I lean like I’m about to kiss her, my mouth hovering just above hers. “I know you’re not wearing a bra.”
“How?”
I press a brief kiss to her lips, pulling away when she tries to kiss me back. “I can see your nipples.”
“Rude.” She gives my chest a tiny shove with her fingertips.
“Are you wearing panties?”
“Maybe.” Her lips curve. “You’ll have to check and see.”