Page 6 of No Need to Run
“Oh. Um, no. It was no one.”
I reach down and snatch my phone from the ground. Somehow, the call is still connected. I end it, then shove it in my pocket. Julia’s probably still ranting, having no idea I hung up on her.
She lifts her brows like she doesn’t believe me, but she lets it go. “How about we go inside, and I buy you a drink?”
She wants to buy me a drink?
“Oh, um...” I have no idea what to say. I’ve never been in this position before.
She cocks her head, her smile widening. “Come on. Just one drink.”
“I suppose that won’t hurt anything.” I take a step back, realizing how close I am to her. Like my body naturallygravitated toward hers. Only, I end up tripping over the shoestring of my loafers.
She reaches a hand out and grabs me, helping to steady me.
“Thanks.” My face burns from embarrassment. “I swear, I’m not drunk.”
“I know.”
I stare at her.
She quickly adds, “You’re not slurring your words. Or giving any other indication you’re intoxicated.”
I nod, then bend down and tie my shoe. “I’m just clumsy.”
When I stand back up, she’s right in front of me. The scent of jasmine mixes with the balmy late August air. I breathe her in, hoping she doesn’t notice.
Her hand lightly touches my arm. “So how about that drink?”
“Oh. Um. Okay. Sure.”
She links her arm through mine like this is normal and we head to the bar. I’m very aware of her touch, which has goosebumps running up my arm. And she’s not even touching my skin.
I shiver, trying to hide it from her.
If she affects me like this, I wonder what would happen if she touches my bare skin.
I rack my brain, trying to find something intelligent to say to her. But when I look down at her, and the neon bar lights illuminate her porcelain skin, I forget how words work.
God, she’s unreal.
Every coherent thought I had just clocked out for the night.
I swallow hard and look away.
Come on, Drew. You can do this.
I look at her again, and I’m speechless.
Under the parking lot lights, I get a better look at her. Ivory skin. Big eyes that lift to mine like she feels me staring. Long red hair glowing beneath the lights like fire.
The black dress she’s wearing is short and tight, showing off legs that seem to go on for miles.
Then it hits me.
She’s the woman from the back booth.The one whose eyes locked with mine before I looked away like an idiot.
Up close, she’s even more gorgeous than in the shadows of the darkened booth. The kind of woman you notice. And keep noticing.
