Rush Me (New York Leopards 1)

We’d stopped by Eva’s theater to pick up clothes, since I’d known she always had more than enough dresses in her locker and the schlep back to Brooklyn was too much. I’d thrown on a red slip dress over tights and belted it, while Alexa had slinked her way into one of Eva’s tiny silver dresses. On Eva, it flattered, but on six-foot Alexa, it could have been a runway outfit.

Turquoise, we’d found out, catered to the other half, and particularly to sports teams.

We grabbed Chinese take-out and cracked out more website ideas while we waited for the guys to show up. When they did, we poured plastic cups full of champagne and followed Matt’s toasts to the Bisons, and one or two by Nate aimed at getting to Alexa. They worked. Setting her jaw, she emptied out one of the champagne bottles into her glass.

At first, all four of us sat on the couch together and talked, but eventually Alexa got up to open another bottle, and Nate followed her. Matt, sitting next to me on the couch, gave me a heavy-lidded gaze and moved a little closer. “So, Rachael. Tell me about yourself.”

I glanced over at Alexa, who was engaged in an intense, low-voice conversation with Nate. “Well...I live in a tiny apartment in Brooklyn with a struggling actress for a roommate, and I struggle to pay rent.” I shrugged. “Just like every other twenty-something in the city.”

He laughed. It wasn’t a “you’re-genuinely-funny” laugh, but a flirtatious one, like he would have laughed no matter what I’d said. It irritated me, but I decided enduring Matt’s come-ons was worth it to let Alexa get whatever closure she needed. “Are you from New York?’

I burbled out my backstory, and Matt kept my champagne glass full. Ha. I was on to him.

“So.” He knocked my knee with his. “How can I convince you to be a Bisons fan?”

I laughed. I might be on to him, but he was still easier to bear after two glasses of champagne. “I’m just not that interested in sports.”

“Not even a little?” he asked, grinning at me. His hand, resting so casually on his thigh, transferred over to mine. I raised a brow at him, and he laughed again, a little more real. “Maybe you just need to give us more of a chance.”

“So I keep hearing.”

“What’s not to like?” His hand moved a tiny bit higher. “Successful, rich, good-looking...”

“Modest...”

He laughed again, and tried to kiss me. I squirmed away and raised my voice. “I think Alexa wants to go now.”

She tripped back in my direction. “Yeah. Definitely. Let’s go.” Nate stepped forward to steady her and she shot him an irritated look and pulled away.

We took a cab to Turquoise. It deposited us before an innocuous door with chipped paint that looked like the back-entrance to a warehouse. I wondered if New York cabbies knew the location of all the city’s undercover locations.

We were admitted by a bouncer, who waved us to the front of the two-hundred deep line curling along the hall. At least no one would ever have to wait outside in bad weather.

The club itself, as promised, was a maze of turquoise themed rooms. The floor glowed with a gentle blue gleam, and pink coral sculptures rose up in glass columns. The lighting dyed any white cloth blue-green. Alexa scoffed. “How very literal.” I giggled, feeling the champagne.

Inside, Matt swiped four drinks for us as I texted Ryan. It didn’t take long for Alexa and Nate to peel off again, and I felt a twinge of worry watching Alexa go. I wasn’t sure which of us it was aimed at.

“You want to dance?” Matt asked, swaying in front of me. His arms dropped around me, curving down my back.

“Oh, I don’t know.” I stepped away. “I’m not really in the mode.”

“What d’you mean? Course you are.”

I took another step back. “I’d rather just stand here and...talk.”

“Okay.” He matched my steps. “I like talking.”

I smiled uncomfortably at him.

“You’re very pretty, you know. Gorgeous eyes.”

“Thanks.” I flicked those eyes down. Where was Ryan? If he would just get here, everything would get a hell of a lot less awkward.

Okay, it might be more awkward for Matt. But I would be more comfortable.

“What do you say that we get out of here?”

“Um.” I looked at the towering pillar of muscle. “I’m actually meeting up with...my...”