Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 140742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Something akin to jealousy coils inside me. Olivia would never make a move on a guy I’ve hooked up with, but the discomfort in my chest remains. Something about him makes me feel territorial, which is absolutely ridiculous since Finn Barlow doesn’t belong to anyone but himself. Hamilton snorts like he knows there’s no chance Finn will be interested in attending.
“When is it?” Finn asks.
God, his voice. It’s as smooth as the bourbon in Liv’s old fashioned and sinks into me with the same warmth.
“Next week.” She takes her phone out. “I don’t think I have your number. Joss can text you the details.”
She says it nonchalantly, but my face heats anyway. I stare at the drink in my hand and ignore her statement.
“Who are you taking?” Tiago asks, turning to me. “Not Tate.”
I make a face. “Hell no.”
“Why are you encouraged to take a date?” Finn asks.
“Well, not just any date. People who will drive more attention to the cause. Preferably athletes,” Livie says.
“Don’t fret, Barlow,” Hamilton smirks. “Everyone knows about your aversion to dates and having your picture taken with women.”
“Random women,” Finn corrects.
Hamilton’s brows rise. “Which … are all of them when it comes to you.”
I bite my tongue and focus on my drink. Finn doesn’t argue, and I don’t dare look over to see what his expression looks like. Not that I’d be able to decipher it, as confusing as he is.
“What does that mean? Do you not date at all, or is it the pictures you don’t want?” Tiago asks.
“I don’t date,” Finn responds.
“Ever?” Tiago asks, raising his eyebrows.
Livie snorts. “Not everyone wants to find love, Prince Charming.”
Tiago shoots her a look, then looks at Finn. “So you just never date?”
“He had a bad experience his first season in the NHL,” Will explains.
“With the woman who snuck into your apartment?” Livie asks.
“She’d been there the night before and thought she should surprise him by being there when he got home from a game,” Hamilton says.
My jaw drops. Finn scowls and looks away, the muscle in his jaw feathering like he’s over this conversation even though he hasn’t even said a word.
“Don’t they have a fan account that tries to figure out the identities of the women you’re seen with?” Livie asks.
That leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I’m not surprised she knew all of this and hadn’t told me. She’d have no reason to mention any of it to me, but it still irks me that she knows and I didn’t.
“Joss deals with crazy shit, but thankfully no one has ever snuck into her house,” Tiago says with a scowl on his face.
“Are you taking a plus-one?” Hamilton asks, glancing at me. “Or are you the exception to the rule since you have more followers than everyone in this bar combined?”
“That’s quite the exaggeration,” I say, and feel myself smile. “I don’t think I’m taking anyone.”
“But Tate is still going,” Livie says, concerned. “That’s what Dame said.”
I shrug. “I’m sure most of Titus’ staff is going.”
When Titus mentions things like this around the office, people take interest. It’s how I met Tate, to begin with. I take a large gulp of my drink to wash away the memory of that entire relationship. I’m pretty sure Tate only wanted to get back together with me because he thought it would help him get a major raise or get him closer to becoming a partner now that one of the guys is retiring.
As if that would make a difference to Titus. Then again, my stepfather treated him like a son. The way he treated all of our friends. The thought brings an uncomfortable feeling to my chest, and I instantly glare at Finn for his implications. My stepfather is known for being a shark in the courtroom, but everyone knows he’s a huge teddy bear and genuinely cares about people.
“You didn’t tell me Tate was going,” Tiago says beside me.
“I’m not sure that he is. It’s just what everyone assumes since he always goes.”
“Maybe we should go together. I mean, the internet is always trying to figure out whether or not we’re dating,” Tiago suggests.
Livie snorts. “I’m sure that’s why you want to go with her.”
I shoot her a warning look. I feel eyes on me and look at Finn, who looks pissed off as he studies Tiago.
“Our agent’s here,” Hamilton says, shooting back his drink, and setting the empty glass on the table. He looks at me and Livie. “Let me know about the fundraiser.”
“We will,” Livie says.
“Thanks for the drink,” Finn says, setting down his empty glass.
He looks at me one last time before walking away. I stare at their backs as they go, and notice the people around them halt mid-conversation to look. It doesn’t matter that they’re all wealthy or distinguishable. The rest of them aren’t Hamiltons or Barlows. I let out a breath and continue speaking to my friends. An hour goes by before I announce I’m going to leave. Tiago agrees that he should go as well, since he doesn’t want me to be more well-rested than him tomorrow morning. I make it a point not to look in Finn’s direction, but I swear I feel his eyes burning into me as we leave.