“Probably. I haven’t seen one ugly Kings Reaper yet. My first day at the garage was spent drooling at every guy that came in.”
“And you didn’t see Riggs there?”
I shake my head. “Nope. I met loads of Reapers though, and at one point, I think I actually gasped out loud. Seriously, they are like heaven on a bed of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. I actually wanted to lick each and every one of them to see if they tasted as good as they looked.”
Eva laughs. “I’ll have to meet you for lunch one day. I need to see some hot ass men.”
“Are you saying Chris isn’t a hot ass man?” I quip and she laughs. We both know Chris and Jamie are not on the same hotness scale as any of the Kings Reapers.
Jamie is telling me about the time his nephew blew spaghetti out of his nose when my cell pings. I glance over at Riggs and find him staring at me with his cell in his hand. I try to suppress my smile as I read the message.
Riggs: Try and look interested in what he’s saying. You’re being rude!
Me: I am interested. His nephew sounds like a hoot. He really does love kids. I’m slightly worried that it’s a little too much. I think he’s looking for his next baby momma.
Riggs: You don’t want any more kids?
I glance over and see a female rubbing up against Riggs with her arms wrapped around his neck. She’s part of his group. When he looks up at her, she plants a kiss on his lips, and he smiles and tucks his cell into his pocket. He wraps his arm around her waist, and I feel disappointment creep in as I look away. It’s silly to feel like this— he can kiss who he likes. It’s obvious he’s just being friendly towards me. I put my cell away and try to focus on the conversation between Chris and Jamie about a football game.
The night progresses to shots. Eva places the tray of eight tequila shots on the table and I catch Riggs’ eye. The girl he kissed is sitting on his lap, chatting animatedly to another girl from the group. He smiles at me and I pretend not to notice as I knock the first shot back. My cell buzzes.
Riggs: Be safe. You’re knocking back tequila and you don’t know these guys?
I don’t reply. Instead, I place my cell on the table. Riggs watches me as I drink the second shot, and this time I stare back.
Riggs: Everything okay?
Me: Doesn’t your girlfriend mind you texting other women?
I watch for his response. He laughs to himself and shakes his head before putting his cell away.
“Earth to Anna,” smiles Eva, waving her hand in front of my face to get my attention. “Do you want to dance?” I let her take my hand and pull me to the dance floor. I keep my back to Riggs and his group. They’re getting louder and more boisterous and I don’t want to get caught staring at him. “Have you seen that girl all over Riggs?” asks Eva and I shake my head. “She’s so pretty. Did he say he had a girlfriend?”
“No, we haven’t spoken that much, so why would he?” I shrug casually. Eva gives me a knowing smile. “What?” I ask innocently.
“You fancy him,” she accuses. “I mean, I get it, he’s gorgeous.”
“I think most women would fancy him. Doesn’t mean I want to run off into the sunset with him,” I say.
“But since Reggie, you haven’t shown interest in anyone. It’s nice to see that sparkle in your eye when you look over at him.”
“The trouble with you, Eva, is you’re a hopeless romantic yet you never put yourself out there either,” I point out. She’s never had a serious boyfriend. A few one-night stands and casual flings, but nothing that ever lasted.
“Excuse me, you see my date there, right? I put myself out there and I just never meet Mister Right.”
I feel arms wrap around my waist from behind and try to hide my disappointment when I see that it’s Jamie. He holds me close and I fight the urge to shrug him off. Eva leans close to my ear. “Oh my god, you should see the fire in Riggs’ eyes right now. He does not like seeing Jamie all over you,” she whispers.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Riggs has a girlfriend and he really doesn’t look at me as anything more than Malia’s mom. You’re conjuring up scenarios that aren’t real,” I insist. Eva takes my hand and spins me away from Jamie. I find myself looking at Riggs, and Eva is right, his stare is somewhere between hot and molten. If he could melt Jamie away with just that look alone, he would.
Jamie moves closer and places his hands on my cheeks. I pray quietly that he isn’t making a move here on this busy dance floor. In my head, I silently beg him to stop moving his face towards me, and I shudder as his lips brush my own. I step back and Jamie opens his eyes. We stare at each other, not knowing what to say. The moment is awkward and then he smiles, which comes across more like a grimace. “I think I read that wrong,” he mutters.
“Sorry,” I mutter. “I just don’t really see us like . . . that.”
Chapter Six
Riggs
Bonnie takes the cash and heads to the bar to get another
