13
MIRANDA
Squeezing through the crowd, I looked for Clint, choosing to avoid Ethan. The drunker he got, the flirtier he became.
“It’s such a great night,” Clint said in his cheery, high-pitched voice. “This is Shane.”
Clint’s lovers rotated through a swinging door. I’d met a few that week when they came in every day to help. He had the type of head-turning beauty with his wide, friendly blue eyes and long, blond, pink-streaked hair.
“I’m going,” I said.
He looked disappointed. “But the DJ hasn’t started yet. We sent Malcolm, who you met earlier, to buy supplies.” An eyebrow lifted. “We’re going to sell booze.”
“Really?” I asked.
“Why not?” Although soft and fluffy, Clint had a fine instinct for making money.
“We don’t have a liquor license.”
He shrugged. “There’s no one around. The place is deserted, except for us. This is where the action is.” He bounced a little. “It’s such a great vibe.”
Clint’s contagious exuberance helped allay my concern.
“Then try to remind everyone to keep it under wraps. We don’t want to get fined or arrested,” I said.
“We won’t.” He grabbed my hand. “Stay.”
I sighed. “I’ve got my boyfriend—”
“Ooh, he’s your boyfriend now,” he sang. “The other day, he was the enemy.”
“Yeah, well.” I held my arms wide, wearing a guilty grin.
“He’s so sexy. And gorgeous. Oh my.” He fluttered his hand over his face. “Those big shoulders. I bet he’s got tattoos.”
I nodded, feeling the contagion of his heat flush through me.
“He’s got a gig,” I said.
“Oh, he’s a musician. Yum.”
“That’s why I want to go. The girls are like vultures.”
“I bet. Oh well… you’d best be off. By now, I would’ve chained him up and had my way with him.” He giggled.
“You’re wicked. Even if that’s not a bad idea.” I kissed him on the cheek. “Can you let Ethan know?”
“He’ll be gutted to hear you’re back with your man. He had hopes.”
I nodded. “I kinda sensed that. We need to keep this platonic if it’s going to work.”
“I guess so.” He fluttered his wrist. “Off you go to that Adonis. I want all the juicy details on Monday.”
I smiled and walked off. Noticing Harriet chatting with a guy, I felt a sense of relief. Her sudden obsession with Orlando had made me uneasy. All my fickle sister needed was a new guy, I told myself, and I left without saying a word to anyone else.
Lachlan was leaning against the wall, tapping his muscular thighs with earbuds in, obviously practicing for his gig. My breath hitched. How could such an insanely hot man be interested in me?
Considering the crushing pain I’d endured from our short separation, I was gripped with trepidation. I should have taken little steps back to him. But as he turned to me and ran his tongue over his erotic lips, I virtually leaped into his arms.