“What I wanted to say is you look hot, but Pierre might jump out at any moment and tackle me for that.”
This makes me laugh. “Probably would.”
Fish grabs us both a fresh glass of champagne from a passing waiter. “Thanks,” I say, reaching for the glass. Our fingers brush, and something electric shoots up my arm and straight into my chest.What was that?He must have felt it, too, because he’s still looking at my hand with a confused expression, like he’s trying to figure out what just happened. I pull away and take a gulp of champagne.Must just be static.“So, where are all these male models you promised me ages ago?” I ask because I need to change the subject immediately before I do something stupid like touch his hand again on purpose.
“Have you not scoped out the talent since you arrived? They are everywhere.”
“I’ve noticed a few, but your giant head is distracting.” I gesture at the nearest display board.
This makes him chuckle. “My giant, handsome head.” I roll my eyes. “Fine, there’s a group of guys at the bar, would you like me to introduce you?”
My eyes land on the men he’s talking about. They’re tall and chiseled and look like they were designed by an algorithm to be attractive. “Yeah, um …” I hesitate.
“What?” he asks, and something flickers across his face. Concern? Or something else.
“The women they’re talking to are gorgeous.”
Fish looks at me, then the bar, then back at me. “You’re stunning too.”
I still. He stills. The word hangs between us in the cold air, and neither of us seems to know what to do with it.
“Who’s stunning?” Pierre asks, my brothers materializing out of nowhere like they have a sixth sense for whenever a man is within three feet of me.
“The models at the bar,” I say quickly.
“The male or female ones?” Felix asks.
“Depends on who’s looking, I guess.”
“Collette was checking them out,” Fish adds.
Pierre looks them over. “She can do better than them.”
“I think she can too,” Fish adds, and that surprises my brothers and me too if I’m honest. Pierre gives him a look that I can’t quite read, and Fish holds it for a second before looking away. Before Pierre can launch into whatever overprotective speech he’s been workshopping since the elevator, a loud “There he is!” cuts through the rooftop noise, and I turn to see Evan, Bouch, Nelly, Sully, and Emmett heading toward us like a pack of very large, very well-dressed wolves.
“Look at you, pretty boy.” Nelly grins, gesturing at the nearest display board. “You’ve got more headshots than a Hollywood agent’s office.”
“Jealousy is an ugly color on you, Nelly,” Fish fires back.
“Debatable,” Evan says flatly, which makes me snort.
Bouch is circling one of the smaller display boards like he’s at an art gallery. “The tuxedo is very James Bond. But the overcoat …” He kisses his fingers. “Chef’s kiss.”
“Congrats, Fish,” Emmett tells him.
“Thanks, Cap.”
“So, are these models single?” Nelly asks, already scanning the bar.
“Go find out.” Fish laughs.
“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Nelly is already moving, Bouch hot on his heels.
“Free bar and food if you want it,” Fish tells the others.
“That’s all you had to say.” Sully grins, clapping him on the shoulder as he and Emmett head toward the buffet. Pierre and Felix drift after them because my brothers have never met a free spread they didn’t demolish, leaving me with Fish and Evan. Evan looks between us with those dark, unreadable eyes, and he doesn’t need to say a word for me to feel like I’ve been X-rayed by a man who knows exactly what he’s looking at.
“I’m going to grab another drink,” I announce, mostly to escape whatever Evan is silently cataloging behind that forehead.