“For fuck’s sake. He can’t leave you for five minutes, can he?”
Emily glanced to the door and then swung back round to face us, putting her hands up in defence.
“I swear, I told him to steer clear of this place. I don’t know what he’s thinking. I’m so sorry, girls. I’ll go and ask him to leave.”
She went to stand up, but Liv grabbed her arm to stop her.
“It’s fine. Let them stay. As long as he doesn’t steal you away.”
I peered over my shoulder and sure enough, there was Ryan at the bar with Zak Atwood, Finn Knowles, and Brandon. They were all wearing jeans and dark t-shirts, but Brandon’s tattoos made him stand out in the group.
He stood tall and appeared arrogant as he looked around the room. When his eyes landed on me, the arrogance I thought I saw was replaced by apprehension. He swallowed and then turned to take the drink that Zak was offering him.
“Are you okay?” Emily whispered. “If you feel uncomfortable and want to leave, we can.”
“No. It’s fine,” I said, trying to convince myself as much as her.
She gave me a look that told me she wasn’t buying it, but she let it slide.
“Okay. If at any time you need to leave, just say the word and we’ll go.”
I was touched that she was taking my feelings into consideration like this. I know that given the chance she’d probably want to be with Ryan over us, but she didn’t show it.
“You can go and say hi. We won’t be mad at you,” Liv said, sipping her cocktail.
“I see him every day. It’s fine.” Emily waved her hand nonchalantly.
“Do you want to go over and say hi to Finn?” Liv turned to nudge Effy and she blushed, taking a sip of her drink to try and hide it.
“I’ll go over in a bit. Don’t want to look too eager, do I?” Effy huffed, and Emily and Liv raised their eyebrows at each other.
“Trouble in paradise?” Liv asked.
“What paradise? He barely speaks to me when he sees me. I think you two see things that aren’t there half the time.” Effy didn’t sound too happy about whatever it was that was going on between her and Finn.
“He’s shy, Eff. Don’t be too hard on him,” Emily replied, giving Effy a kind smile.
“I’m shy too,” Effy argued and stuck out her lip, pouting.
“There’s shy, and then there’s Finn Knowles,” Liv said, pointing at him across the room. “That boy needs a kick up the backside if you ask me.”
“We didn’t,” Effy replied, quick as a flash.
“Maybe I can work my cupid magic on him.” Liv tittered.
“Leave it, Liv. I’m not ready for you to start meddling in my love life.” Effy rolled her eyes, looking over at Emily, and the two of them shared a knowing look.
“Bollocks to that. If I hadn’t pushed Em towards Chase Lockwood, Ryan would never have got his shit together.”
I almost choked on my drink.
“You dated Chase Lockwood?” I asked Emily, feeling shocked that she’d go there. Even I’d heard the rumours about Chase and his… how should I say this, man-whoring ways.
“No!” she stated with a look of disgust on her face. “Liv tried to set it up, but I have standards.” Then she became embarrassed and started to blush. “Sorry, Harper. I know the Lockwoods are friends of yours. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“They’re not my friends. Not anymore,” I snapped back a little too brusquely.
I could tell they were itching to ask me what had happened, but bringing up anything about those brothers was the last thing I wanted to do. I had a good buzz from the drinks, the girls had made me laugh, and Brandon was in the same building and I hadn’t freaked out. Tonight, I’d made real progress.