Page 25 of Hate to Crave You
* * *
“If you’re hereto talk about the deal, I know nothing.”
Julianna laughed as Moira Templeton held up her hands in mock self-defense. Swatting her friend on the arm, she said, “You know me better than that.”
“True.” Moira’s eyes gleamed and she gave a subtle look around before focusing blazing green eyes on Julianna. “What is the deal with you and Roman? Are you trying to shock the entire community showing up here together?”
“I’m almostpositivethe entire community isn’t that invested in my social life.” She rolled her eyes at Moira and hooked her arm with her friend’s, guiding her a little farther away from the chaos that lingered near the dance floor. “Come on, I want a table to lean on for a few minutes.”
She and Roman had danced a few times, but they had indeed drawn some stares and she wanted to get away from the attention for a while. He was out mingling and circulating, which was what she should do, and she would, soon.
But she hadn’t seen Moira in ages and wanted a few minutes to catch up. They’d gone to college together and with their similar backgrounds, had ended up with a number of classes together. They’d gotten close but life after school had pulled them apart.
“You just want to get away from the people whispering and speculating about yourdate,” Moira said mischievously.
“Oh, bite me.” Julianna smiled, oozing with charm as she said it, not willing to refute the comment. There was no point. When you were as close as Moira and Julianna were—or as close as they’d once been—it was a little harder to pull off a convincing lie.
“I’d rather bite him.” Moira sighed lavishly and winked at Julianna. “If things take a turn for the worse, I’ll take him off your hands. Because we’re friends.”
“Again…bite me.” She nudged Moira in the ribs in jest.
“Table!” Moira all but lunged to the left as a couple vacated it, leaving it open for a few brief seconds before the two women claimed it. They sat down gratefully.
Under the concealing surface, Julianna slipped her feet out of her shoes. The Ferragamo’s she’d chosen to wear with her dress did excellent things for her legs but terrible things to her feet. But that was women’s fashion for you.
“So how long has this been going on?” Moira asked.
Julianna rolled her eyes. “There is nothis,” she said. “We came together. End of story.”
“And there’s…nothing else?”
Julianna’s cheeks heated and the dim light wasn’t enough to conceal it at this close range.
Moira hooted with laughter. “Iknewit—it was the way he watched you. Please, please…tell me. Is he as beautiful in bed as I think he is?”
Julianna fanned herself in lieu of answering, rolling her eyes.
Moira pretended to wilt. “Lucky bitch.”
They grinned at each other in the way only friends can.
For a few more minutes, they chatted, then Roman appeared at her elbow, a black brow cocked to a dangerously sexy angle. “Trying to get an edge up on me, are you?”
Before she could even figure out how to answer, Moira swatted him on the arm. “You know better, Roman. I don’t play those games. That’s my father’s arena, not mine.” Her eyes gleamed at him, cat-green and just as mischievous. “Julianna won’t tell me. How long has this been going on with you two?”
“There is nothis, Moira,” he said, chuckling. “We just decided to accompany each other. Sooner or later, some of us have to bury this animosity between the families after all. Isn’t that right, Julianna?”
She smiled at him, but made no other response.
Moira pouted prettily as she got to her feet. “Be that way. Here I was thinking I’d be the first one with the news for once.” With a huff, she bent over and kissed Julianna’s cheek. “Call me. We need to have lunch. It’s been ages.”
“I will.” Julianna caught her hand and squeezed and Moira lost herself in the crowd while Roman took the seat she’d vacated.
On the dais on the far side of the room, the band was wrapping things up and she said, “It sounds like the speeches are about to start.” She hesitated, then asked, “Do you want to hang around for that?”
He covered her hand with his, playing his fingers over hers. “Not unless you really want to stay.”
After slipping her shoes back on, they rose and made their way to the exit, fielding a few more greetings and making their goodbyes to the people they knew. By the time they actually reached the door, one of the hosts had taken the stand and was well into his welcome speech.
