Page 81 of Deal Takers

“Brody, yo?—”

“How is she, Drew?”

He feigns confusion. “How is who?”

“You know who.” I roll my eyes. “Look, I know I said I was better off not knowing, but I can’t take it anymore. Is she happy? Is she seeing someone?”

Drew smirks. “Why don’t you ask her for yourself?”

What? I whip my head around when he nods to someone over my shoulder. At first, I think I’m hallucinating—because, fuck, she’s even more beautiful than I remember—but sure enough, Rainey is standing no more than twenty feet away next to Drew’s sister. My eyes soak it all in as she and Devyn engage in an obviously heated discussion. Her long red locks are down, curled in soft waves, and she’s wearing a black mini dress with red stilettos that make me equal parts pissed and appreciative. She clearly didn’t know Drew and Devyn were scheming until a few seconds ago, which means she was on the prowl.

I know I’m staring, but I really don’t fucking care because I can’t get enough. If this is the only chance I’m going to have to appreciate those curves I love so much, I’m going to be one gluttonous motherfucker until she makes me stop.

With one last gesticulation, Rainey leaves Devyn’s side. Her eyes don’t stray frommine for even a second as she closes the gap between us.

“Hi.” She’s practically yelling so I can hear her over the thumping bass.

“Hi.” My eyes shamelessly travel the length her body and back up again. “You look amazing, honey.”

She stiffens with the term of endearment, but she candeal, because I’m not taking it back.

“You look good, too, Brody.” I don’t miss the way her eyes graze over my torso. Thor does a little jig in my pants because her attraction to me obviously hasn’t waned.

I wink when Drew’s sister joins us. “Hi, Devyn.”

“Hi, Brody. What a crazy coincidence, huh?” She smirks before turning to Rainey. “Lorraine, I need to borrow my brother for a second. We’ll be back in a bit.”

“Uh huh,” Rainey mutters as Devyn and Drew make themselves scarce.

“So…it appears we’ve been set up.”

Rainey narrows her eyes. “Are you telling me you had nothing to do with this?”

I shake my head. “Not even a little—I’m just as surprised as you are. But I’m very fucking thankful.”

Her expression softens. “How’ve you been?”

“Shitty,” I answer honestly.

She looks down toward her fuck-me-heels and says, “Yeah, I know the feeling.”

Oh, what the hell, I’m going for it. It’s not like things could get any worse.

“Do you want to go somewhere quieter?” She doesn’t reply, so I add, “To catch up? According to Drew, there’s a wine bar downstairs.”

Her gorgeous eyes snap to mine. “Yeah…sure.”

I try not to get too hopeful as I lead her down to the lower level. I’m relieved to find that the wine bar is much quieter—they must have noise reduction materials between each floor. Soft jazz flows through the small space, giving it a much more intimate vibe down here. It’s fairly crowded, but there are a few standing pub tables toward the back that would afford us some privacy.

As we make our way across the room, I nod toward thebar on the left wall. “Can I get you a glass of something?”

“Sure. A Moscato would be great. I’ll…uh…grab us a table.”

I watch her fidget as the bartender fills our order. I hate that this is so awkward, but the fact she didn’t bolt the moment she saw me is a good sign. So is the pink stain on her cheeks as I approach the table.

Rainey takes a long gulp of wine as soon as I place it in front of her. “So…”

“So…” I repeat. “That’s some dress you have on there. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in anything like it before.”

---