A voice sounds up from behind us.
“He tried to get me pregnant once, then again, he could have been aiming for the toilet.” Lucas turns with a grin and Blake comes into view. His short curly blond hair is swept up in a faux-hawk, and his solid black tux looks poured on him. He grins at me, his eyes trailing from mine down the length of my gown.
“Ah, Lucas, you weren’t lying, she’s a knockout.”
My cheeks heat slightly as Blake jabs him with his elbow. “Nice job in there, asshole, I think you just got yourself banned from the union.”
“Risk and reward,” Lucas says confidently.
Blake rolls his eyes still smiling at me. “This guy won’t do anything interesting on a school night, but give him a Hollywood party, and he goes all Evel Knievel.” He winks and extends his arm toward me. “Would the lady care to dance?”
“Absolutely—”
“Absolutely not,” Lucas snaps with a jealous edge that I feel to my toes.
“Does this mean we aren’t friends anymore?” Blake says in an exaggerated southern drawl. “If I thought you weren’t my friend anymore, Lucas, I just don’t think I could bear it.”
I’m giggling like a school girl, and Lucas exhales, tossing his head back. “Fine. Mind yourself, Iceman.”
“Understood,” Blake retorts with the same drawl, tilting his head and extending his arm further as he leans in. “Let’s go make him crazy jealous.”
“Let’s,” I take his arm and hear Lucas mumble, “fucker,” as we pass.
“I’ll have her back before the clock strikes midnight, pumpkin. Be sure to tip your waitress.”
Lucas sounds up behind us. “You’ve got five minutes.”
“Oh, me, oh, my, the boy is hopeless, good job, Cinderella.” He lets go of my hand briefly before taking two glasses of champagne off one of the passed trays.
“Bottoms up, darlin’. I could sure use a drink after what I just heard.”
Smiling, I tip my glass. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous.”
“Nope. I met my lady love, married her. Poor woman,” he says with a grin. “But I am quite shocked at the conversation I walked into.”
“You mean eavesdropped on,” I say as he takes our glasses away and discards them before leading me to the dance floor.
Once we’re dancing, he wastes no time.
“So, things are getting serious. I wonder what pet name the press is coming up with for you two right now. Something catchy, though I’m not sure what they can do with Lucas and Mila.” He cocks his head as if puzzled while guiding me through Sting’s “My One and Only Love”.
I stay mute.
“What? No comment, you can trust me. I know a little about a lot.”
He winks, and I can’t help myself, I sigh inside a little. Blake West is gorgeous, and I’ve been a fan of his for years.
“Things were getting too serious out there, thanks for the dance.”
“Not over yet,” he says, guiding us forward and back on perfectly timed feet.
“I’m glad we finally got to meet. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
He tilts his head playfully. “Have you?”
“I have,” I say, matching his infectious grin.
“Well, it’s all true, all of it. I deny nothing.”