Page 26 of Things I Read About
“We’re on a girls’ trip,” I say, not wanting to seem like a college kid. In case Nate is within earshot.
“She’s a concert pianist,” Janie says.
I think she enjoys watching me try to be… less me.
“Kind of a rock star, actually,” Kat adds.
Evan squints his eyes at us. “You’re bullshitting me.”
Janie fights a laugh and Kat scoffs.
My eyebrows shoot up. “What?”
“I get it, everyone makes up fake lives on spring break,” he says as he leans forward to grab the beer the bartender brought over for him.
“No, really, she played at the Governor’s mansion when she was what, six?” Kat asks me.
“Seven,” I murmur.
Kat grows louder. “She would’ve been on TV—Ellen, I think it was—except her family is uber protective.” Janie nods.
I continue to tug at the weird spike earring, hoping it’ll magically transport me away from this bar and to wherever Nate is.
“Prove it,” Evan says, leaning close to me.
I lock eyes with him. He has pretty eyes. Green with long lashes. I wish my lashes were that long. And full. I wonder if he uses one of those lash serums Sadie gave me.
“Sal.” Kat grabs my arm and then leans into my ear. “You’ve slipped into shy side character, sister. The man wants to see you play piano, let’s go play some damn piano.”
“Oh.” I straighten a bit. She’s right. “Lead the way.”
“Let me just go grab my stuff.” Evan puts a hand on my arm. His grip is warm, firm, nice. I don’t think he could snap my humerus bone, though. “Don’t move. And don’t worry about your drinks.”
Janie and Kat cheer at that. We chug the remainders of our drinks in preparation for our jaunt to wherever Evan plans to take us.
I reach out to set my empty glass on the bar, which is just out of range. I don’t want to move closer because that would require moving my foot. So, I stretch, plop my glass, and then sway backward.
Into a wall.
“Hazard,” is all he says. But I can hear the smile in the word, and feel the rumble of his voice—much deeper than Evan’s—down in my toes. His hands are on my elbows, like hot vice grips, even through my chunky sweater.
“Nate, just in time,” Kat says.
“Kat.” I turn and look up at him in time for him to raise a brow at Janie.
I answer his question. “That’s Janie. Janie this is Nate.”
“Hi.” She waves, amused.
He looks down at me, his eyes landing on my cleavage and then roaming back up my neck.
I swallow.
“In time for what?” He watches my throat work as he says it, just like I’ve watched his. Does he want to lick my throat?
I do.
I definitely want that.
