“Could it be? No way.” The masculine tone rips through the crowd. An exaggerated whoop trails his moment of disbelief. “Sure is. Look, everyone! It’s my gal pal, Rachel Green.”
I swivel on my heel, checking for the source but having more than a sneaking suspicion who it belongs to. Sure enough, Gavin strides straight for me with a huge smile to match his exuberant welcome.
He jerks to a halt in front of us, his jubilant expression bouncing from me to Bea. A sizzle seems to crackle between them as Gavin gives her a once-over. His perusal is so thorough that I feel violated on her behalf. She, however, preens under his scrutiny with a blush that any makeup artist would kill for. Interesting.
After far too long of a delay, I finally process what he said. “Did you just refer to me as Rachel Green?”
With what appears to take all his willpower, Gavin looks away from the woman beside me. I’m pretty sure he’s still ogling her decently from the fringe. “I’m a big fan of Friends, and that episode in particular.”
I gasp. “Really? Maybe we can be besties.”
He takes a bow. “Loyal confidant at your service.”
“So, are you busy bird-doggin’ the ladies?” I spout my best Rachel impression.
“Yes!” He holds up his hand for a high five. “That’s what I’m talking about. This is why we’re meant to be buddies.”
I clap our palms together. “Absolutely. I couldn’t agree more.”
“To answer your question, we’re just chillaxing after five full weekdays of farming festivities. The excitement never quits.”
Do I secretly check over his shoulder for a certain someone? Maybe. But no one else needs to be aware of that minor detail. I give myself an internal scolding, focusing on the two within earshot. “Well, you know what’s better than five?”
“Seven, seven, SEVEN!” Gavin moans the last one, catching several scandalized stares.
Bea folds over, giggling so hard that her body trembles. “Nicely executed, Crap Bag.”
He smirks at her. “Does that make you Princess Consuela Banana Hammock?”
That kicks off an epic exchange of our favorite lines. We take turns sharing the best moments until my stomach muscles ache from laughing. Tears blur my vision as our surroundings morph into a cloud of amusement. The apples of my cheeks are sore, but that doesn’t stop me. The stress of today and this week melts away with each blurted favorite. I’m still caught in a Friends quote battle when Reeve appears in my periphery.
The volume of my grin sobers slightly at the sight of him. This expression is more demure—flirty and automatic. I catch myself almost immediately, wiping the dopey grin off my face. The swarm of flutters in my belly, on the other hand, are more difficult to tame.
“Ah, I can’t compete with that.” Gavin chuckles beside me.
I blink out of my Reeve stupor. “Huh?”
“You’ve got that look. I get it. He’s totally dreamy.”
I scoff and shove his chest. “We’re just friends, if that.”
He suddenly sniffs the air. “Do you smell smoke?”
I inhale a deep breath. Nothing but pungent musk and fried food greets me. “No?”
Gavin’s nostrils flare with an audible intake. “Really? Something’s gotta be on fire.”
“I think you’re the one smoking something,” I mutter.
“Oh, you know what? It’s probably just your blazing loins.”
“Dammit,” I spit. In my defense, I was distracted and didn’t catch the reference. “Well played, Joey.”
“Don’t be too sour. You’re a worthy opponent, and totally smitten.”
“I’m not vying for his attention,” I protest.
Gavin grunts. “For now, maybe. Reeve will charm your shorts off, whether he means to or not. It’s a natural talent.”
A curl attacks my upper lip. “I’m in a long line of tally marks, then? How lovely.”
“Don’t be jelly, sweets. It’s not like he gives any of them that.” He motions toward the man in mention.
I follow his line of sight, not that it’s necessary. What I find has me nearly swallowing my tongue. Reeve bores holes into me, incinerating my pitiful defenses. His beast-mode RDF scares off anyone who might dare to interrupt his trajectory. A fevered burn scorches along my skin, leaving me helpless against the onslaught. I shiver despite the overwhelming heat blanketing me. That look peels away my layers, exposing me for the taking. I’m fully clothed, but I might as well be buck naked.
“Oh,” I mumble.
“Precisely, sweets.” Gavin turns his gaze on my coworker, shooting her a wink. “Bea-Bea, let me buy you a round of something delicious.”
She titters under his playful affections, harmless as they might be. Before she wanders off, Bea gives me a grin and nods at Reeve. “He’s a good one. Solid choice.”
I gape at her for a second while my mind goes blank. “Uh, okay?”
“Enjoy all that,” she encourages. He gets her stamp of approval, apparently.
Before I can respond, Bea flounces after Gavin with a skip in her gait, not that I truly notice. My sole focus narrows in on Reeve the instant she’s gone. His smolder should be trademarked because it would be a cheap knockoff from anyone else. I will come-hither all day if he keeps up the molten stare.
Reeve teases the edge of my personal space, dipping down until his woodsy cologne assaults me. “Have you been avoiding me?”
Audria’s brown eyes spark with the same fiery longing that’s churning in my own gut. She blinks, her dark lashes fluttering over her cheeks, and draws in a shuddering breath. Does she need a moment to compose herself? We might have that in common as well. It took me a solid ten minutes of wrestling with my desire before I regained some semblance of control. She wouldn’t appreciate me mauling her on sight. My social graces aren’t that far gone.
When her gaze locks on me again, most of the pooling lust has cleared, but she still doesn’t answer me.
“So, have you?” I repeat.
Her brow furrows. “Why would I be avoiding you?”
“Good question, which is why I asked.”
“Okay,” Audria drags the single word out. “The answer is no.”
“Sure about that?” I swipe a palm over my mouth to hide a grin. Messing with her is too entertaining.
She huffs, sending a few blond wisps off her forehead. “Is there a reason I should be?”
I shove a fist in my pocket. “Probably, but not one I’m going to divulge. I just haven’t seen you out and about. Are you afraid to hurt another innocent stranger with a grocery cart?”
“Ha, very funny.” She pops out a hip, her sass shining brighter than the stage lamps. “I’ve been busy doing… other stuff.”
My mind propels straight south into the gutter. I raise an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
Even under the harsh glare of artificial lighting, I catch the flush racing up her slender throat. “Ugh, okay. That came out sounding way more inappropriate than I intended. Don’t pervert my meaning.”
A dry chuckle escapes me. “Pervert? That’s a little extreme. I didn’t say anything.”