Don't Go Baking My Heart

“Hey.” She placed a hand on his arm. “You don’t have to be a pro at small talk, okay, but at least try? They’ll appreciate the effort. I’m going to wow them, so you don’t have to do much heavy lifting. They’ll just be so surprised you showed up at all. I love chatting up new people.”

“They’re going to expect me to get up there. Sing.”

“I’m sure you have a keen understanding of how to say no to something.”

“I suppose.” He shrugged, and Reba could imagine clinging to those shoulders as she settled into his lap. Oh, that was a delightful image. His eyes narrowed. “What’s that look about?”

“Trust me on this. You don’t want to know what I’m thinking right now. I don’t want to scandalise you.” She gestured to the group. “Shall we?”

The first person to notice them was a tall, slim guy with short curly hair that glinted in the lounge’s lighting. He looked exactly the same from his Instagram account. So this was Evan, huh? He nudged the woman next to him, making a big show of it.

“Are my eyes deceiving me?”

The woman wore a clingy black dress that Reba approved of. She was showing off some enviably thick thighs and a leg tattoo. She looked interesting, and Reba couldn’t wait to chat her up. She did a full double-take as they approached.

“I may have had too many screwdrivers because I think I’m hallucinating.”

Oh, Devon was going to hate this good-natured ribbing. Reba glanced at him, and sure enough, he was frowning.

“Hannah,” he said. His eyes dipped to her leg. “Nice, uh, tattoo.”

Reba supressed the laugh that was threatening to break free. He was so bad at this. Of all the things to focus on. Granted, this woman’s rose tattoo with the vines climbing all the way up to disappear under the hem of her dress was spectacular, but Reba would have instructed Devon to go a different route. This was his co-worker, after all.

Hannah didn’t look perturbed by any of it. In fact, her lips curled into a little smile as she sipped her drink before responding, “Thanks.”

Evan looked between Reba and Devon, a speculative gleam in his eyes. “So, you came. With a friend.”

They were obviously curious about her, so Reba figured this was her moment. She stuck out her hand. “Hi there!”

“Love your hair and dress,” Hannah said, shaking Reba’s hand before Evan could get to her. She shot Devon a sly look. “You have such interesting friends. Who knew?”

“I’m Evan.”

Reba reached to shake his hand when Evan bowed and planted a kiss on the back of hers. The look of utter disgust on Devon’s face was hilarious. She would have to talk to him about his facial expressions later. Now was for charming these people.

“Dax!” Evan suddenly shouted, her hand still clasped in his. “Your golden boy is here!”

Reba disengaged their hands and smiled over at the older man she recognised from her internet search. Dax was solidly built with that salt and pepper thing going on. His face lit up with a huge smile when he saw Devon.

“This is indeed a momentous night.” They exchanged back slaps, and Devon gestured to her.

“Dax, this is Reba.”

“Well, hello, young lady. I’m assuming you’re responsible for convincing him to come out?”

Reba bowed because it had been a feat getting Devon to do this, and she was definitely taking all the credit for it. “I’m known to work a little magic now and then.”

“Excellent! Now, if we can get him up there…”

Reba busted out laughing. “I’m good, but even I can’t work miracles.”

“Don’t be so sure.” Dax winked, turning to Devon. “So you won’t be gracing us with a song tonight? Even if this lovely lady asks you nicely?”

“Absolutely not.”

Dax didn’t appear the least bit put off by Devon’s response, but before they tried to pressure him into it, Reba piped up.

“Oh, I’m excited to sing, though. I have a whole Rihanna song picked out and everything.”