“Trevor West, right?” Reed suddenly said, extending a hand across the bar toward him, drawing his attention back to the man.
“That’s right. And you’re Reed, Rylie’s brother. I’ve seen your pictures, nice to meet you.” Trevor took his hand, giving a firm, quick handshake. He did make eye contact, but under the intensity of Reed’s emerald stare, he quickly averted his gaze. Rylie talked about how smooth his brother could be, how shrewdly he handled himself, always winning his cases, moving quickly up the corporate ladder. Face to face with that devilish smile and mesmerizing eyes, Trevor could see how easily Reed was able to disarm those around him.
“I’ve got your beer coming,” the bartender said in Trevor’s general direction before turning to Reed. “What can I get you, sir?”
Reed’s eyes stayed trained on Trevor, never straying, as he replied. “I think I would like a bottle of your finest champagne and two glasses, please. You know,” he said to Trevor, “I’ve met you before. At your graduation with Rylie. It’s hard to believe that lanky kid I met all those years ago grew up to be such a handsome man.”
Taking the cold beer bottle from the bartender, Trevor placed it on the bar, startled by the compliment. He quickly glanced around, assuming Brody must have walked up. Certainly, Reed couldn’t have been complimenting him! Trevor became even more confused when no one stood behind him. The bartender chuckled. Uncertainty clouded Trevor’s mind. And still, that intense stare of Reed’s was focused just on him.
“Will you join me? It’s difficult to toast alone,” Reed said, though he didn’t wait for Trevor’s answer. He took the bottle, quickly popping the cork, and poured a glass of champagne. Waiting a moment for the bubbles to settle, Reed handed the glass to Trevor. If for nothing more than something to occupy his hands, Trevor took the offered glass, setting it next to his cold beer on the bar. He was so out of his element in this conversation, with this man, he felt three steps behind everything Reed said. It didn’t seem to stop Reed; he filled his glass, turned his gaze back to Trevor, and extended his arm to lift his glass in air.
“To Rylie and Elise! Two souls with but a single thought, two hearts that beat as one. May they have a loving marriage and a happy home filled with the sounds of children's laughter.” Reed reached across the bar and clinked their glasses together before taking a drink. “I have to say, Rylie’s a very lucky man. He fell in love with his childhood best friend. Elise in return is a lucky woman, because we all know a good man is hard to find." Reed inclined his head as one of his perfectly arched brows lifted. A mischievous grin parted his full lips. "But as I've always said...a hard man is a much better find.”
The innuendo caused Trevor to choke on the cold, fizzy liquid he’d just sipped. Reed chuckled, taking a drink from his glass, reaching over with his other hand to slide Trevor a cocktail napkin. “Here, you might need this, handsome.”
While trying to gain composure, Trevor took the napkin, wiping the champagne from his chin. He looked down to see if any spilled on his uniform. Everything about Reed threw him into a tail spin. Trevor’s normal quiet acceptance turned into a bumbling mess of nerves. His heart began to beat harder and he even felt the heat from a scalding blush creep up his fair skinned cheeks.
“I’m sorry. I must’ve misunderstood something about what you said. I wish the best for both of them too. They’re a good couple,” Trevor said, sitting back on his stool, still coughing just a bit. He picked up the glass but turned in his chair, focusing on the crowd around him. He desperately needed to put some distance between himself and Reed before he completely embarrassed himself. The blush was a strong visual indicator of how uncomfortable he already was in this conversation. To embarrass himself more just wouldn’t do, since he would be relocating to this area very soon. Reed’s family became his family after his mother died and Trevor didn’t want it to be awkward every time he saw Reed from here on out. Keeping an eye on the room, Trevor didn’t want Reed to feel obligated to stay with him. Then the most terrible thought occurred—Rylie must have sent his brother back here to talk to him. He gave an inward groan. This wasn’t the first time something like this happened, but usually his friends sent over a woman. And never before did Trevor sit so completely spellbound by anyone who came to talk to him out of obligation.
Now, with this revelation, Trevor cringed inside and just felt incredibly pathetic to be gushing over someone burdened into spending time with him.
“So, Trevor, are you hooked up with some nice girl? Is there someone special in your life?” Reed asked.
Trevor looked back, feeling the blush still burning on his cheeks. Reed kept those emerald green eyes fixed upon him, but just then, Brody appeared out of nowhere. He positioned himself between Reed and Trevor, giving him a quick knuckle bump in greeting. Brody lifted his foot, perching it against the bottom bar rail, and leaned in to rest his elbows on the bar ledge. The move effectively blocked Trevor from Reed. For the first time ever, Trevor had completely forgotten about Brody being in the same room with him. No one ever took his mind off Brody. With that thought came another, causing Trevor’s heart to ache. Had he inadvertently put himself on the front row to witness another of Brody’s many conquests? Trevor prayed Brody wouldn’t turn his attention to the handsome Reed. Could there be any chance Brody wouldn’t go there because he was Rylie’s brother?
“Good evening, I'm Reed Kensington. Rylie’s older brother. I do believe you’re the other friend, am I right?” Reed asked.
“Yep, that would be me. I’m Brody Daniels, nice to meet ya.” A cocky grin spread across Brody’s lips. A quick waggle of his eye brows indicated Trevor needed to watch his next move, but he didn’t want to be a party to Brody’s games. Not this time. His heart gave a small ache as he watched Brody turn back toward Reed.