Page 108 of See Me

“You can pick any color.” I gesture at the selection on the bar. “Look, even Benny has one.” I motion to the end of the bar where Benny sits reading on his Kindle wearing a gold party hat, giant gold glasses with the year on them, and several multicolored beads around his neck. He looks over when I call him and lifts his hat up and releases it so it snaps back onto his head.

I giggle. “See? We all have them. Don’t be a party pooper.”

Luca’s eyes make a slow journey down my body, pausingon the glittery gold numbers on my deep V neck shirt and a small grin forms. “What do I get if I wear it?”

“A kiss at midnight, of course.”

He crowds me against the bar and his black eyes drop to my mouth. “A kiss… where?”

My tongue wets my lips and thank god the girls are behind a padded bra or I could take someone’s eye out with a glitter projectile from my body’s reaction to this man. One look, one reference, one friggin brush of his hand and my nipples harden and downstairs kitty starts thumping. “Where would you like it?”

He runs a finger down my cheek leaving a trail of heat as he brushes it down my neck and nearing the V in my shirt.

“Ahem.” We both turn toward Benny at the sound and he points to the door currently allowing our first customers of the night in. I smile and take a step back, breaking the lust bubble we’re caught up in.

“Hey, party people!” I turn at Cassie’s voice and squeal when I see all my people here.

“Oh, yay. I’m so glad you all could make it.”

“Where else would we be?” Jess asks.

“Not like any of us have dates or anything,” Ashley says, peering down the hall.

I come out from behind the bar and hug all my friends. Cassie and Jace, armed with his camera, of course. Jen, Ashley, Jess, and Alex are all dressed to kill in black and gold. Max even showed up. I look down at my glittery shirt and feel underdressed. “I should’ve dressed up. You guys look fantastic.”

Luca rounds the bar and puts out his fist. Jace bumps it and gives him a quick nod. “Beer?” He asks Jace and Max.

Jace nods and they all walk away.

“Was that an actual conversation?” Jen asks.

“Apparently,” I say, and glance over my shoulder. Lucahands them each a beer and they exchange nods. No more words. They pull out their phones and are perfectly content in their comfortable silence.

“Men,” Alex says, shaking his head.

We all mumble our agreement.

“Where’s Ally?” I ask Cassie.

“She and Derek left a couple days ago. They wanted a few days at home before school starts back up.”

“Speaking of…” Jen drags the words out. “Are you ready?”

I blow out a big breath through puffed cheeks. “I think so. I’m nervous, excited, terrified. All the feelings.”

Ashley rubs a circle on my back. “You're gonna be so great.”

“I hope so.” I look at her and smile as her eyes bounce all over the bar and back to me.

I try to hide my grin at her very obvious hunt for Enzo. “He’s not here.”

She scoffs and her eyes drop to the floor. “Who? I’m not looking for anyone.”

Alex rolls his eyes and laughs. “Riiiight.”

She slaps Alex’s gut with the back of her clutch and he doubles over. “Shut up, dick.”

I clap once. “Drinks?”

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