Bennett’s lips twitch. “Two would be great. One for me. One to shove in your mouth to shut it up.”
Elliot regards him a moment. “Be right back.”
The boys disappear into the crowd, Elliot’s dogs easily keeping up as Bennett eyeballs Nax, “What? I do things my way, you do them yours.”
“As it’s always been, Benny. As it’s always been.”
Christina takes Bennett’s hand. “I want you to meet my parents.” His spine straightens and she soothes him as they reduce our circle to four.
The now silent duo.
And us.
Tempest went quiet several subjects ago after having again tried to include Josh when he clearly didn’t like the attention.
Like they’re not here, Nax asks, “Why that museum?”
Instinctively understanding why he’s asking after it was earlier said that I have a degree in art history — why not an art museum? — I explain, “The history link was enough to send in my resume. I find archeology fascinating, even though I didn’t study it in school.”
Josh stares off. Tempest shuffles her feet.
She could leave, but probably doesn’t want to stick me with Josh as a third wheel when Nax and I are clearly interested in each other. I’ll have to thank her later.
Nax smiles, “I guess they agreed with you, and you got the job.”
“It wasn’t that easy.”
“Is it ever?”
I smile, “There were a lot of applicants, but before my interview I researched the museum since I had a week to prepare. Knowledge is never a waste, even if I didn’t get the job. I arrived on the day of my interview knowing more than most of the people who work there. That impressed her, got me a second interview, and another. Then I got the job.”
Crossing his arms over a chest I keep thinking about, Nax eyes me. “That was a really smart move.”
Feeling bad for Tempest, I turn to include them since I’d guessed Josh to be a model but movie stars are often gorgeous, I’m fairly curious, “Nax said he produces movies. Are you an actor? Is that how you guys met?”
“No.”
I wait for more.
Nax nudges him with the suggestion, “How about you expand on that?”
My eyes widen on the realization, “Oh, you said you met in college! I’m sorry. I forgot. That must be why you gave me such a short answer.”
Josh glances to his friend, back to me, then to Tempest, and back to me. “I uh…created a non-profit, and I do speaking engagements to prepare our next generation with knowledge they don’t often get.”
With the manner of one hosting a debutante’s ball rather than a rooftop party in Brooklyn, Tempest says, “I think that’s very noble, don’t you, Zia?”
My eyebrows lift. “Yes. Very noble.”
Josh mutters, “Excuse me,” and disappears.
My cousin’s jaw drops, and she whispers, “Wow,” then walks away without another word.
I face Nax. “So…hi.”
He chuckles, dragging a hand over his face. “He’s a good guy. Don’t judge him by his behavior tonight. Do you live in this building, too?”
No, and it’s a good thing, too. “Just my cousins.” Because I’d be bringing you to my bed. “Chris and Tempest.” God, you’re hot. “I live in Manhattan.” Your eyes are hypnotizingly blue. “Hoping they’ll move there someday.” You’re always smiling, I love that. “We’re very close.” Are you as good a guy as you seem?
“I like the building. I didn’t think I’d see you again.”
My cheeks flush with heat. Other places, too. “I knew I’d never see you again. In fact, I never even wondered about it.” He laughs, forcing me to explain, “What I mean is, I meet hundreds of people a day.”
He smirks, “Still.”
My head tilts, smile eclipsing his. “You should have left an impression greater than a hundred people, is that what you’re saying?”
“More than a hundred. I’d think over a million, I would stick.”
“Pretty sure of yourself.”
“Pretty sure of this chemistry.”
My jaw slackens. Panties damp. Er.
He eyes me, curious why I didn’t argue. From the glint in his gaze, he understands I’m interested. “So if you don’t live here, Zia, where do you live?”
“On Varick Street. Just above Canal.”
“Above Tribeca?”
“Yes.”
“Huh.”
Huh? Why huh? Is that where you live? Could I be that lucky? “How about you, Nax?”
“Los Angeles.”
My stomach drops, and I blink. “Oh.”
Nax’s smile shifts. “Is that disappointment I see?”
“No, I…”
“Wish that I lived closer to you.”
Instantly defensive I take a step back. “That’s a bold assumption!”
“Does bold mean accurate to art historians?”
I laugh, and shake my head. “I was just surprised when you said another city!”
“One not near yours.”
“One so far away from where we are right now,” I point down. “I was confused. That was the look you saw! Because you’re here with Bennett and Josh who both live here.”
“How do you know that?”
Stammering, I search for how, finger raised as I remember, “Will and Elliot said so today! I was listening. And…obviously I know Christina’s boyfriend lives in Tribeca. Mom told me that.”
Nax takes a step closer. “You have the prettiest black eyes I’ve ever seen.”
I stare at him, wanting him closer. “They’re dark brown.”
“Not when you’re turned on.”
My lips part, speechless. If he would just take another step closer this ache between my legs might burst. “Um…Why are you in New York?”
He straightens up, smirk erased so quickly I instantly want it back. “I’m here to help Josh.”
“Help?”
“He lost his wife last year. Brain aneurism.”
I gasp, “Oh no!” hand flying to my mouth, fingernails touching the tip of my nose. “That’s why he’s so quiet!”
“The world lost a light. I’m here to help him get some of it back, if I’m able. Not an easy task, turns out.” He drags a hand through his dirty-blonde hair, blue eyes drifting to the ground.
Stepping closer, I touch Nax’s chest. “I’m so sorry.”
He covers my hand with his for a second, “Thank you,” and lets it go to fall while I listen to him explain, “Benny called me
