“Bullshit. He looked shy.”
“I’d say probably embarrassed. I pulled him off, you know.”
“Did he come?”
I shook my head. “He stopped me. He could be gay, for all I know.”
She laughed. “No way. He can’t be gay. You just took him by surprise.”
I recalled Declan telling me how Carson, despite being a bit of a player, was also super sensitive, which at the time struck me as a contradiction.
After tossing back two shots of vodka, I loosened up. I tilted my head towards some actors I recognised from movies.
Jacinta noticed too. “Say, isn’t that Colin Farrell?”
It looked like the dark-haired Irishman. He was drinking with a couple of actors, whose names escaped me.
“I love it here.” Jacinta kissed me on the cheek.
At least Carson had made their night. Mine, too, because seeing him had reminded me of the type of man I wanted in my life: good, honest, sexy, and down-to-earth. The absolute opposite of the types I’d been dating up to now. One bad boy too many and here I was, sleepless and constantly watching over my shoulder.
We hit the dance floor, and some boys joined us. In her short, tight number, Sienna, as always, attracted a lot of attention. Having had her breasts enlarged, she’d become a testosterone magnet.
We were all twenty-nine going on sixteen. Only in my case, I’d become tired of the party scene. Something had changed in me. Maybe I’d grown up at last.
An hour later, after having downed a few more shots and worked up a sweat dancing, I settled back against the wall, while Jacinta and Sienna got chatting with a couple of boys who looked to be in their early twenties. All I could think of was Carson and having had a few drinks, I plucked up the courage to ask why he hadn’t returned my calls. I also wasn’t much in the mood for a big night, so I decided to leave, giving me a good excuse to chat with him on my way out.
I went to the powder room and sent Jacinta and Sienna a text. They’d hooked up with their young guys, so they wouldn’t miss me. That was what we did; we stuck together until one of us met someone and slid off for a bit of fun.
As I stepped into the night, I saw Carson with his arms crossed and wearing a “don’t mess with me” expression.
Taking a deep breath, I stood next to him, when his colleague, who saw me first, tapped Carson on the arm.
He shot me that cheek-dimpling half-smile, and I went to putty again. “You off, then?”
“I thought I might. Not much in the mood. I’m tired, and I have to return to Merivale tomorrow to work on some interior designs for the new casino.”
“I’ve heard something about that. Declan mentioned it.”
“Are you thinking of applying? They’re going to need security.” I preferred the idea of him at Bridesmere, where at least we could chat freely.
Just as I spoke, I saw Bram at the end of the line. “Oh fuck.”
“What?” Carson’s brow creased.
“A stalking ex just turned up.”
“Another one?” His bewildered frown made me almost laugh.
Yep. I’m crap at picking boyfriends.
“This one’s really bad.” A shaky breath left my lips.
“Really?” His head moved back. “Dusty didn’t strike me as someone who’d give up his seat for the elderly.”
“He’s a lamb compared to Bram.” I tucked myself behind Carson to hide.
“I’ll make sure he doesn’t get in. But if he’s got an invitation, I have to let him in. Those are the rules.”