Page 9 of Falling for the Bad Boy
"I can't stay long," he started.
"We haven’t even gone in yet and you’re already making excuses?" I tsked at him as I turned the knob.
He caught my hand. "I’m supposed to be working behind the bar tonight."
"It’s okay. You don’t have to stay." I pulled my hand free and walked through the doorway.
He followed, letting out a low whistle as he stepped into the foyer.
"Yeah, it’s obnoxious, isn’t it?" I was used to the high ceilings, marble tile floor and cut-crystal chandelier. "Just wait until you see the rest of it."
As Oliver’s gaze darted around the room, I tried to see Macy’s place through his eyes. The scent of wealth seemed to ooze from the air vents. Every surface held some priceless vase or precious trinket.
"Did you bring your friend?" The click-clack of Macy’s heels sounded on the tile before she rounded the corner. "I’m so sorry you couldn’t join us earlier. We’re just wrapping up a dinner party and would have loved having the two of you here."
Oliver glanced from me to Macy and back again. Even he probably questioned our connection. Macy’s golden waves fell in perfectly styled curls over her cream-colored couture dress while my dark hair hung stick straight down the back of my now semi-dry casual T-shirt.
"This is Oliver." I gestured his way. "Meet my friend, Macy."
"The pleasure is mine." Macy reached a hand toward him. "Where did she find you?"
"I told you. He gave me a ride back after I missed the last bus." I crossed the foyer, heading toward the living room. "How about a drink?" I didn’t wait for him to follow. Macy and her impeccable manners would make sure Oliver felt right at home.
"Everyone’s out on the patio. Would you like to join us for a digestif?" Macy linked her arm through Oliver’s and tugged him along.
"That’s an after-dinner drink," I called over my shoulder. "Macy studied French and likes to show off her skills to her stuffy friends."
"Shh. They’re not stuffy." Macy let her arm drop from Oliver’s.
I reached the bar. "They are stuffy. Boring too. Now, what can I fix you, bartender? Want me to make you a proper gin and tonic?"
"Proper?" Oliver must have finally found his voice. I didn’t blame him. Macy had been known to render many a man speechless. "Now you’re taking potshots at my gin and tonic?"
I couldn’t help but smirk as I made myself at home behind the bar and reached for the bottle of Bombay Sapphire. "It was okay."
"Don’t pay attention to her," Macy said. "She pretends to be moody and dark since she thinks that’s how artists are supposed to act. But she’s a big puffball of cotton candy inside."
I waved her off. "Watch it, Donnegal. I might tell your boyfriend’s co-workers about the real you."
Macy stood on tiptoe and whispered something into Oliver’s ear. He let out a deep laugh before whispering something back.
"What’s going on?" I set two thick-bottomed crystal tumblers down on the marble bar. "Don’t make me come over there."
"She’s just telling me how the two of you met." Oliver smiled.
The way his lips tipped up in a lopsided grin sent a delicious bolt of molten heat to my midsection. "The ‘Trinity can’t dance’ story?"
"Now I know why you two put up with each other. I have a childhood mate back in Towley where I grew up. He almost knows me better than I know myself." He crossed the room to stand in front of the bar. "Just a water for me. I’m still on the clock."
"Well Macy and I do know each other better than we know ourselves." I switched his gin and tonic for a glass of ice water instead. "Which is how I know that she’s got a patio full of brainiacs out there who couldn’t carry on a stimulating conversation if their lives depended on it."
"Hey, now. Mitchell is out there, too." Macy clamped her fists on her waist.
"He’s the worst of them all." I handed the extra drink to her and turned to Oliver. "Mitchell is her parent-approved fiancé. For some reason my bestie here thinks it’s her job to help him secure partner status before the wedding, so she keeps hosting amazing parties and soirees to further his career."
Oliver nodded. "I see. I’m probably a bit underdressed to meet your guests then." He gestured to his own jeans and T-shirt.
Macy took a sip of her drink. "They’re boring as fuck. I’d much rather hang out in here with the two of you."
