The Do Over (8 page)

I looked around, appreciating the wonder of everything, as we made our way to the private area. The music was muted up here, so we could actually hear one another talk.

"Candace, can you go get our table? I want Dani to meet someone," Macy said, grabbing my hand and yanking me away with her.

"Macy, slow down. I haven't walked in four-inch platforms in a long time. I don't want to fall and break my neck," I complained as she led me through the thick maze of bodies. "What's the rush? Where are we going?"

"I'm taking you to Chris. I want you to meet him. Be cool about it, and then tell me what you think."

"Be cool? Really?" I stopped her and put a hand on my hip. "How am I going to be cool if I'm out of breath? Or worse, what if I fall on my ass, break a heel, and have a wardrobe malfunction? Slow down. Wait a second...oh my god…you're nervous."

Macy looked at me with an impish grin on her face. "Welcome back, Dani. We're going to take care of your condition tonight. Let's go strut our stuff."

Macy was in her element, and she owned it. She cocked her head and smiled as we passed several guys that would most certainly qualify for book-boyfriend casting material. I had to admit that I was enjoying the attention. Macy was on a mission. While she cast her winks and side glances, she had her eye on one man in particular, Chris Giordano. He was definitely easy on the eyes. He was tall with dark hair and light, maybe green, eyes.

Macy had been secretly, or not so secretly, crushing on Chris. When she spotted him through the crowd, her body language completely changed. Softening, she glided toward him. The look in her eyes went from search and seize to capture and devour. It was fascinating to watch.

As she led me over to meet him, it happened. When I turned my head ever so slightly, my eyes locked with the most beautiful blue eyes I'd ever seen. Standing next to Chris was a six-foot-two man wearing a nicely tailored charcoal jacket over a black button-down shirt with low-slung jeans. He still hadn't shaved. It was a contrasting look—GQ mixed with
I don't give a shit
—and it was blazing hot.

My smile touched my eyes. Pulling Macy back, I whispered, "That's him."

She glanced at me and gave me a dirty grin.

"Hey, Macy. Don't you look edible tonight?" Chris said with a devilish grin, licking his lips.

I quickly realized that these two were cut from the same cloth.

"I'll take that as a compliment…only if you tell me you're hungry," she responded with a wink.

As I shook my head, giggling, I noticed
he
was looking straight at me. When our eyes met, my smile widened. I tried to shift my eyes to the side to contain my smile, but I couldn't look away. I'd never smiled like that, and it was making it very hard to feign indifference.
What are the chances that I'd run into him here?
Suddenly, all the sounds around me became quiet, and it seemed like no one else existed.

I didn't want to make a fool of myself. I needed to keep my feet on the ground and my head out of the clouds.
Play it cool.
He just kept looking at me with a sexy grin.
Play it cool!
He wouldn't take his eyes off of me.

I was about to go book-boyfriend crazy here, but I couldn't do that. It had a long time since I'd allowed myself to be attracted to a man that wasn't the figment of some amazing author's imagination. I needed to pace myself before I gave humiliation a new name.

"Um, excuse me, do you two know each other?" Chris asked, his eyes shifting between us.

"As a matter of fact, I met this beautiful lady this afternoon." Liam smiled. "It's great to see you again, Ms. Ruiz." Looking straight into my eyes, he extended his hand to me.

I was a goner. It would take everything in me to keep it together. I wasn't sure I had it in me.
Damn Macy for not coming to my rescue!
Although I didn't really want her to, she should have tried. I was flustered. He called me
beautiful
. I had to remind myself yet again to be cool.
What is it about this man?

I needed to find my calm, cool, and collected voice. I reached out my hand to his. "Hello, Lieutenant Lucas, it's so nice to see you again."

When our hands touched, a tingle traveled up my arm. He held my hand a little longer than necessary. Never breaking eye contact, he raised it as he leaned his head down just a bit. He softly kissed the back of my hand with his eyes still fixed on mine. I was sure he heard my breath hitch, but at least he didn't know about the heat pooling between my legs.

As he straightened up, he let go of my hand. "The pleasure is all mine. Make sure to save a dance for me." He smiled and winked.

I'd been holding my breath. When he let go, I let out a small moan. I tried to play it off by making it sound as though I had something in my throat, but the only thing in my throat was my pounding heart. Of course, his smile got even bigger.
Ugh!
I stroked his ego. I needed to pace myself and be careful with this man.

As Liam leaned in, his hand came around my waist. He whispered, "I'm not letting you get away this time." His hand slid across my lower back before he walked away with Chris.

"Oh my god, Dani. What the hell was that?" Macy asked.

"Give me a minute. I think I'm about to pass out," I said, standing there in a daze.

"You know, he's seriously hot, and he's definitely into you. What do you think about Chris?"

"Chris? I didn't notice."

Grabbing my arm, Macy led me back to the VIP section. "Next time, I'm bringing Candace. You suck."

Pouting, I found myself disappointed that he wasn't staying. On the bright side, drinks were on the house, thanks to Macy's hopeful hook up with Chris. Next time, I'd thank him for the drinks and maybe do some recon work for Macy.

We met up with Candace and then ordered our traditional Cosmos. We had a ritual of ordering Cosmos, a la
Sex in the City
, and toasting to new beginnings and happy endings.

Without even trying or knowing, Chris came through for me tonight. I wanted to high five him. I would even go so far as to say I wanted to hug him. As we were walking toward the bar, I smacked him on the back.
Yes, this is good.
This cleaned Chris's shit slate. Although he was always inviting me to these openings, I hardly came, but he was insistent on this one. Since I kept blowing him off, I figured that I owed him. At first, my plan was to make an appearance and take off early, but that changed. Plan B was in place. I was sticking around, and this time I wasn't letting her get away.

What are the odds that she'd be here?
She looked drop-dead gorgeous. Her face lit up, and her smile touched her eyes, which were her best feature by far. I wanted to take her in my arms, steal her away, and get to know her.
Yeah, chicks before dicks
. I laughed, remembering her face when she'd said that. I was biding my time. I'd give her time with her friends, and then it would be my turn. There was no way I was leaving without her number and plans to see her again.

Chris led me through a maze of people as we walked down toward the bar.

"So, Lucas, what the hell was that Prince Charming shit?"

I gave him a look that said,
Don't be an ass wipe.
Chris and I had been friends since we were kids. I'd spent more time getting him out of trouble than anything else. Over the years, this look had been perfected. No matter what, he'd always been a good friend and stepped up to the plate when it had mattered most.

"Don't look at me like that. I'm not being an ass." Chris shook his head.

That was proof that my look had communicated exactly what I'd intended. I didn't even have to open my mouth.

"Let me rephrase. So, you seem to be
smitten
by Macy's friend. Who is she?" Chris asked.

I wasn't a girl. I didn't
share
, but since I had wanted to hug him earlier, I figured I would do it more subtly. "She's a girl I met today. She took off before I could get her number."

"Did she take off because she thought you were a freak? And now you're stalking her?" Chris asked.

I had to give him the look again. "No, ass wipe. You called. I answered. She left. It's not happening again."

Chris patted me on the back and bought me a beer. "You were talking to
that
babe and answered
my
call? Geez, I don't know if you're an idiot or if I'm special."

"It was a stupid force of habit. Lucky for me, I'm getting another chance. This time, I won't make the same dumb mistake. Now, move. You're in my way."

Leaning against the bar, I found the perfect view of her. She was upstairs, talking to her friends. Laughing, she threw her head back, exposing her neck. I wanted to feel my lips on her neck, run my fingers through her hair, and caress her body with my hands. I just wanted to see her smile.

Chris scouted out the room. "The night is young, my good fellow. Three o'clock is checking you out. Don't limit yourself to one ass tonight. You could score big."

The server came over. "Hello, gentlemen. The ladies at that table would like to buy you two a drink." She pointed to three o'clock. "What will it be?"

Chris waved at the bleached blondes with fake boobs. I rolled my eyes. He was quickly becoming a liability.

"I'll have a—" Chris began.

I elbowed him, shaking my head. "Thanks, but no thanks," I interrupted, keeping my sights on the only woman I was interested in getting to know.

"Dude, you're killing me."

I turned around and ordered two beers. Handing one to Chris, I said, "You'll survive."

While Lise was off socializing with her friends, I'd found the perfect spot at the bar to keep an eye on Daniela. I saw Chris walking in my direction with that motherfucker. During the past year, Chris and I had met for drinks and to talk about nightclubs and women. I knew it was only a matter of time before he came over to make small talk and get my feedback on the club. I had a gift when it came to these things. I could tell if a club was going to make it or break it. This one was definitely on the make-it path.

"Hey, Rick, it's good to see you." Chris patted me on the shoulder before he shook my hand. Overall, he was a good guy who was great with people, making him a savvy businessman. "This is my buddy, Liam Lucas. Liam, this is Rick Marin." Chris then sang my club-picking praises.

It was true, so it wasn't like he was kissing my ass or anything like that. He was just stating a fact. I couldn't have planned things better if I'd tried. I needed to know how this asshole knew Daniela and what his intentions were with her. I wasn't about to let anyone get in the way of our reconciliation. I needed to size up the competition, if there even was a competition.

"So, Liam, right?"

He nodded.

I wanted to get some historical data. "I've never seen you around. Are you new in town?"

"Nope, I've lived in South Florida all my life. This scene just really isn't my thing," he answered before taking a swig of his beer.

"Come on, you like to party." I swirled my drink. "I'm sure you could have any woman in this club if you wanted."

"He already turned down a drink from a bootylicious bombshell," Chris chided.

"Superficial, shallow, and boring. Your free drink isn't worth the headache, and she isn't who I'm interested in." Liam's eyes were focused.

I could see he was a man on a fucking mission.

"Bro, but the blow job would've been worth the yapping," Chris pointed out. "And you could have ridden off on your horse with your princess afterward. Don't limit your options."

Liam glared at Chris before he turned to me. "Rick, this is your thing. According to Chris, you're the king of clubs. I respect that. It's just not my thing."

Daniela wasn't a clubber either
. This little piece of information might work in his favor, and the motherfucker was interested in substance.
Shit.

After finishing off his beer, Chris interjected, "Lucas's thing is his job, his career, his employment, his calling, his mission in life. What's the PC name for it these days?"

"If you don't mind me asking, what do you do?" I asked.