Page 66 of Caught in the Axe
He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and cocked a brow at me. “You want to be in denial, that’s your business. But a few months ago, you and I were standing at a similar event, wearing the same tuxes and probably drinking this damn Hanson whiskey. Remember that? You called me out on my bullshit that night when you caught me drooling over Delia and finding every excuse imaginable to spend more time with her.”
God, he had been so ridiculous. “You were out of your mind, dude. You couldn’t keep your tongue in your mouth when you were in the same room as her.”
He laughed. “Still can’t, my friend. She puts my tongue to good use now, though.” He raised his glass toward where his girlfriend was now dancing barefoot. “I’ll say this once. Go after what you want. Even if it’s terrifying.”
My stomach was already twisted into knots, but just the thought had them tightening. “I can’t.”
“Bullshit. Remember when we were debating about whether we should bid on GeneSphere? We didn’t think wecould do it. We didn’t think we could manage a project of this size. But then we saidfuck it. It’s a chance to make a lasting impact on this city. We knew we had to get out of our own way.” He nudged me. “That girl over there, she’s a risk. But I see the way you’re looking at her. You’ve talked of no one else for weeks. Don’t think for a second I haven’t noticed. Hell, I’d bet part of the reason you haven’t come home yet is because you want to spend time with her.”
I held up a hand and shook my head. “There have been issues with the sale.”
“Which you could handle from Boston.” He gave me a challenging look. “Admit it. You’re gone for her. I’d be a terrible best friend if I didn’t tell you to take your shot.” He handed me his empty glass and straightened his cuffs. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to take my woman home.”
With that, he waded into the throng of women, threw his arm around Delia’s shoulders, and kissed her. As if that was a signal they’d agreed upon before the event, she instantly turned to her friends and waved goodbye.
I swirled the whiskey in my glass and considered his words. Would it be so bad to take a shot? I didn’t have a lot of time left, and being here, surrounded by my friends, in my home city, bolstered my courage.
Moments later, Lila was hugging some of her new friends and heading toward me, her shoes dangling from her fingers.
“Tired?” I asked.
She threaded her arm through mine. “Yes.” She sighed. “Also, I was under the impression that people were expected to keep their shoes on at fancy parties.”
I shook my head. “Not when Dylan is here. She’s begun a barefoot dancing revolution. For the last year or so, at every black-tie event she’s been to, she’s gotten everyone to take their shoes off. It’s her thing.”
She smiled as she took in the glowing redhead who was wearing her infant daughter in some kind of complicated fabric wrap and was slow dancing with her fiancé.
Dylan and Cortney, who was a retired MLB catcher and was now the GM for the Boston Revs, were two more of Enzo’s roomies. Their infant daughter and teenage son lived with them as well.
“Owen.”
I bowed my head and took her in. She was all pink cheeks and misty eyes and her usually bright smile. Fuck, she was gorgeous. “Yes, Lila.”
“It may be the champagne talking, but I like your fancy friends.”
With her arm still tucked in mine, I led her to the coat check.
While we waited for the attendant to retrieve them, she beckoned with her finger, and I bent down to get closer.
“And,” she whispered, her lips just millimeters from my ear, “I think I like you too.”
I blew out a long breath and stayed where I was so she couldn’t see the effect her words had on me.
Once I was certain I had control over my expression, I pulled back. “How are your feet?”
“Killing me. The thought of putting these shoes back on makes me want to chop them right off.”
“We’re only two blocks from my condo. Wanta piggyback?”
When Enzo had roped Lila into coming, I would never have guessed my night would end with me, still decked out in a tuxedo, giving her a piggyback ride through the Seaport District.
But I couldn’t think of a more perfect way to end our night.
“Are you sure I’m not hurting you?” Her lips were dangerously close to my ear again.
Clearing my throat, I leaned forward and pushed the elevator call button. “Not at all.”
That wasn’t entirely accurate, but I’d happily gallivant around the city with Lila clinging to me until my bones turned to dust.
