Even if every fucking second of this feels real.
“You, uh… how’s the shop?” Kristen snaps a potato chip in half.
“Good. Ryan’s a co-owner now.” Leighton slides onto her seat. Presses her knees together. Fights a blush. “He’s basically the boss.”
“Oh, wow. Good for you. I always thought you were a good fit for tattoos,” she says.
“Feels like I should take offense to that,” I say.
“It’s clearly a compliment.” Leighton looks to Kristen. “Though I’m not sure what it means.”
“You’re just so… counter-culture, I guess. I could always tell you wanted to be somewhere besides our stuck-up school. And you have that look. Like a damaged musician or something.”
“I love damaged musicians.”
“Oh my God, what about that one guy who moans twenty-four seven? With the blue eyes? Kind of like Ryan’s. But hotter. No offense, Ryan.”
“I know exactly who you mean.” Leighton winks at me then turns back to Kristen.
“He’s so hot, isn’t he?”
“And so damaged.”
“He’s a recovering drug addict, you know?”
Leighton nods oh, I know.
“Did you hear their latest album? It’s dedicated to his wife. And it’s just so… OMG.” Kristen fans herself.
“Fuck. I miss something good?” Dean’s voice booms through the kitchen.
“Yeah. We just finished a threesome. It’s too bad. We were desperate for a fourth. So desperate we considered you.” Leighton winks at Dean.
Kristen laughs. “It’s good to see you too, Dean. You’re so tall now.”
“I was this tall last time you saw me,” he says.
“Really?” She taps her shoes together. “Maybe I’m shrinking. It sucks being short.”
Dean nods maybe and moves closer. “You want to do something fun tonight, Kristen?”
She beams over him remembering her name. “Sure.”
“Twenty minutes. Out front. Limo.” He smiles.
“Do I even want to ask?” Leighton shoots him a cutting look.
“You don’t have to come to the real party if you’d rather go home,” he says.
I’d rather take her home and fuck her senseless.
Which is exactly why I need to go.
“What’s the real party?” I ask.
“There’s one thing you need to have at a bachelor party.” Dean smiles. “Everyone’s coming. And maybe some people will be coming. It’s supposed to be a classy joint, but you never know.” His smile gets wicked.
Leighton whispers in my ear. “He doesn’t mean—”