“Jeffrey,” my mom coos, turning her attention to my dad. “I think you owe me a dance. It is our anniversary, after all.”
“It would be my pleasure, wife.” My dad takes a sip of his whiskey and lifts his brows knowingly to Dean before whisking my mother off to the checkered dance floor in front of the band.
“This is a disaster,” I groan and turn to prop my elbows on the bar. “Can I get another champagne, please?”
Dean sidles up next to me as the bartender fills my glass. “What’s up, sugar? I think your dad likes me.”
I pin him with a warning look. “If you add tits to the end of that sugar, your balls must have a death wish.”
“Why so cheery?” Dean asks, hunching over the bar to sip his brown liquor out of a rocks glass. “Did your mother give you a puppy again? That Elaine.”
“My mother invited Nathaniel here tonight,” I state flatly.
“The perfect teeth guy?”
“Yes.”
“So, what’s the big deal?”
I pin him with an accusing look. “She gave him the impression I was here for him. Like I was some lonely sack who couldn’t get a date even if I wanted to. Jesus, this is embarrassing.”
“Relax.” Dean turns to face the party and rests his elbows behind him like he doesn’t have a care in the world. “We’ll just have to break some of your rules.”
“What do you mean?” I grab a nut from the bowl on the bar and chew on it nervously.
“Well, if you want this guy to steer clear, then a little PDA might be in order.”
“What kind of PDA?” If he says kissing, I’ll spontaneously combust.
Dean seems to read my mind and rolls his eyes. “Relax, sugar cake, I mean a little…affection. Maybe we dance. Maybe I put my arms around your waist or play with your hair a little. Or maybe we get practically pornographic, and I waffle your fingers.” He laughs casually. “Something to show your mother this Nate guy doesn’t have a chance.”
I nod thoughtfully as I process what Dean’s just said. He mentioned touching me so casually like it’s no big deal. I suppose it isn’t since he seems to flirt with anything that walks. But I’ve been out of the game for a while now, and I can count on one hand the number of people I’ve been affectionate with, and even those were years ago. Is this really something I can pull off?
“Norah, drink the rest of that champagne. It’s going to be fine.”
I close my eyes, letting his words sink in while feeling anything but fine. “Okay, just promise you won’t try to kiss me. I’m barely holding it together as it is, and if I have to worry about you breaking the ultimate rule, I won’t survive this night.” I tip the rest of the champagne into my mouth.
“Relax, I won’t tongue thrust you in front of all your parents’ friends. I’m a mountain manwhore, but I draw the line at lip raping.”
I huff out an incredulous laugh at that strange phrase and then hear the music shift to the song, “I Want To Know What Love Is.” “Oh, I love this song.” I sigh wistfully.
Dean’s lips twitch as he fights back a smile. “Really? This is what does it for you?”
My head jerks back. “Yes, I think Foreigner is highly underrated. Lesser bands have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It’s a crime that these guys aren’t.”
I feel Dean watching me, but I don’t want to look. I’m sure he thinks I’m a nut job.
“I’ve never seen you wear a Foreigner bandana.”
My brow furrows, shocked that he would notice something like that. “Yeah, so?”
“Never mind. Come on, let’s dance.”
He grabs the flute of champagne out of my hand and leads me onto the dance floor where several couples have joined my parents. I force a smile at my dad, who I swear knows something weird is up with Dean and me, but he’s too sweet to ever say.
Dean’s hand snakes tightly around my waist as he pulls me in so our bodies are flush. My head reaches just below his chin in my wedge heels, and I lift my hand to rest it on his shoulder.
Jesus, his body is hard under these clothes. He’s bragged about his abs before, but even his pecs are impressive masses based on what I feel beneath the thin fabric of his shirt. When he grasps my free hand and holds it up against his other pec, all I can think about is how sweaty my palms are right now.
I glance up to see his smile looking completely at ease. “How is this so easy for you?” I ask, briefly dropping my head to his chest and exhaling heavily. “My palms are sweaty…my heart is in my throat. I feel like everyone at this party can tell this isn’t natural for me.”
Dean shrugs casually. “I hang out with a lot of women.”
I roll my eyes and look away, trying to catch a breath of fresh air that doesn’t have Dean’s seriously delicious-smelling scent. I bet he wears a really expensive cologne. “I don’t need to hear about your conquests, Dean.”
“I’m not talking about my conquests.” He squeezes my hand so I look back at him. “I’m talking about Kate and Lynsey. They’ve been my best friends for years, so hanging out with women like this is no big deal.”
I nod. “Ah yes, your sister wives.”
Dean frowns at that remark. “If they were my sister wives, doesn’t that mean I should be getting laid?”
I balk. “Don’t tell me you’re not getting laid.”
He shoots me a dirty smile. “Oh, I’m getting laid…but not by them.”
“So, you’re cheating on your sister wives.”
“They’re my closest friends, Norah, and I’d have to be in a relationship with them to cheat except I’m not a cheater.” Dean tightens his grip on my waist, and I swear I see a flicker of hurt in his eyes. “What exactly are you insinuating?”
I lift my hand in surrender, horrified that I could be coming off like a creepy, jealous fake girlfriend. “Sorry, nothing. I’m just curious about how you met them.” I exhale a shaky breath and try to get a grip. Being this close to Dean, in his arms, wrapped up in his scent, it’s…confusing. It feels briefly like a real date, but it’s not, no matter how good his hands feel on my sides. This is just two friends talking.
Dean inhales deeply. “They were my neighbors, and they were fun. That’s pretty much it. Plus, Kate’s one of those girls who if she wants you to be her friend, you will be. End of discussion.”
His jaw seems tight when he says that, so I pry a little further. “So, you never dated either of them?”
“Define dated.”
“Oh jeez, this is worse than I thought,” I reply with a groan.
Dean’s chest vibrates with laughter. “I haven’t slept with either of them if that’s what you’re tiptoeing around.”
My brows furrow. “Sooo, what then exactly?”
He licks his lips and rubs them together for a moment. “Lynsey and I dated for a time. We realized pretty quickly we were better off as friends…and Kate…” His voice trails off as he looks away.
“What about Kate?”
I follow his gaze; he’s watching my parents with great fascination. “God, your parents are legitimately in love, aren’t they?”