Page 3 of Reticent

I look up at the oversized chandelier above us. “That’s why this place smells like money.”

“It’s the perfect place to find my future baby daddy.” Esme flips her curly hair to one shoulder. Skylar wrinkles her nose. “Oh, my God, kidding. We need to get you drunk. You’re a lot more fun that way.”

“Oh, shut it,” Skylar says, hiding her smile.

* * *

We haven’t been here that long. I’m not drunk, but I’m on my way. We all are. We’re talking louder and laughing harder. Our dance moves are looser and bolder. I feel free and sexy as I move my body on the dance floor to the music’s bass.

“Now that’s a man.” The lust in Liv’s voice has us all intrigued. Whoever she’s looking at has her full attention. We all look up, following her line of sight to the second floor.

Damn. I gape. Standing at the balcony’s railing, the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen scans the crowd below. Thankfully his gaze doesn’t fall in our direction, because my jaw is still on the floor. He’s beautiful—uncomfortably so.

“Holy shit. I think I’m wet,” Liv says.

Esme wets her bottom lip. “Total BDE.”

“Big dick energy,” the rest of us say in unison.

Liv grabs my arm. “We’re going up there to say hi.”

Skylar scoffs. “We can’t do that.”

“I’m with Liv on this,” Esme says.

I point to the stairs that lead to the balcony. It’s manned by a large Dwayne-Johnson-looking guy in a dark suit. “And how do you suppose we do that? That’s the VIP of the VIP.” Even if it wasn’t, I’m with Skylar. I’m not going up there.

I’m the first to drag my eyes away from the gorgeous man on the balcony. Even if our paths were to cross, men like that don’t go for regular girls like me. They chase supermodels. No. I take that back. A man who looks like that doesn’t have to chase anyone.

“He’s almost too gorgeous,” Skylar says.

I sigh. “I know what you mean.”

Pretty boys don’t have hearts. Everyone knows that. Why would Mr. Perfection with the perpetual scowl be any different?

* * *

As the night wears on, I forget about the dark-haired bae upstairs. For the most part. Skylar ditched us almost an hour ago for some guy named Ian. I spend most of my time on the dance floor with Esme and Liv. A couple of guys have pulled me away for a dance, but none have kept my interest for longer than a song.

I’m twerking to a Cardi B song when someone hugs me from behind. “Hey, stranger,” a deep voice says in my ear.

I turn around with a smile on my face and wrap my arms around Jordyn’s little brother. “Hey, Dru!”

“Sup, Yas.” Dru flashes me a megawatt smile.

We hug like old friends, even though we’ve only seen each other a handful of times in the two years that Niko and Jordyn have been together.

“What are you doing here?” I drop my arms from around his neck, but he keeps his hands on my hips.

“Just thought I’d come through with my boys. Jordyn told me you were here, and I heard you’re going home tomorrow. It sucks that we didn’t get a chance to hang out.”

Esme saddles up closer to me, giving Dru a once-over. “Hello.”

“Hey,” he says.

“My bad. Dru, this is Esme and Liv. Skylar is here … somewhere.” I scan the crowd, but I don’t see her.

“You got that VIP upstairs?” Esme asks Dru, twisting a curly strand of her hair around her finger.