I nodded once, and that was enough for Willow to know she was free to leave my side. I’d talked about my first love to Willow a few times throughout the years of her working for me, and she always called Shay my real-life Juliet, which was accurate. I was just never going to be her Romeo.
Shay was freely laughing with Eleanor and Greyson, and when she tossed back the shots of whiskey, her whole body shivered in pleasure. That body...
Christ, that body.
She wore a silk black dress that fit her like a glove, highlighting every curve. Her ass looked amazing, as always, and the crimson color on her lips made my mind go crazy.
Without thought, I found myself floating in their direction. My feet moved without my brain’s permission, and I hadn’t figured out what I was going to say to her. Did I bring up the awkward situation of me showing up to her place the other night? Did I keep it light? Did I pull her to the side to talk about our past? About me leaving and never coming back? Did she even care anymore? Christ. There were too many thoughts in my head and not enough time to sort them out.
Did she come alone?
Was her date wandering?
Was she in love?
“Oh my gosh, Greyson! Those are amazing!” Shay beamed about my friend’s newest whiskeys. Her hips rocked back and forth as the smooth liquor glided down her throat.
“Which is your favorite?” I blurted out like a damn fool. Ikept my eyes on Shay, not even bothering to look at the other two, and her stare was locked with mine.
Eleanor leaned toward her cousin and whispered something or another. Shay was quick to shut her slightly agape mouth.
I smoothed my hands over my suit. “Eleanor, it’s good to see you again. Shay, long time no see,” I murmured.If you don’t count my stalking moment a few days ago.“You look as beautiful as I remember.” That was the truest thing I’d ever said in my life. Shay had gone from a beautiful girl to a breathtaking woman.
Her cheeks flushed with color. “Whatever, Landon,” she said with a dismissive tone. “You look fine.”
I tried to push down the urgent need to pull her in for a hug, because what the fuck? Hugging her wasn’t something that would’ve made sense. Even though my body wouldn’t have hated the idea of being pressed against hers. I missed her hugs. Instead, I stood tall.
“I see you still have that fiery personality.”
“And I see you still haven’t grown into your ears,” she shot back, this time with a slight smile.
Her smiles, too.
I missed her hugs and smiles.
I stood there, uncertain what to say after all these years, because all I truly felt was uncomfortable.
Uncomfortable and awkward.
Greyson and Eleanor must’ve caught on to the awkwardness of the whole situation, because the two of them were quick to excuse themselves. When a waiter walked past with a tray of shot samples, Shay and I both reached for them and tossed the whiskey back.
Tasty as heaven, smooth as sin.
I stuffed my hands into my slacks and smiled like a fool.“You really think I haven’t grown into my ears?Peoplemagazine voted me as Sexiest Ears Alive last year.” I tried to ease the tension, but leave it to me to make it even more odd.
She didn’t laugh, but she smiled sweetly. Damn, it had been so long since I heard her laugh. I couldn’t help but wonder what it sounded like.
I cleared my throat. “I was hoping we’d be able to talk before tonight gets wilder.”
“Talk? Talk about what?”
Everything under the goddamn moon.
“Well, first and foremost, I wanted to apologize for dropping by your place the other night. Greyson mentioned you were coming to the party, and I said I’d love to talk to you beforehand. Raine gave me your address, too. I didn’t think it through, and I’m sorry for that.”
“It was a surprise, but no worries. Sorry I turned you away so fast. It was a weird night.”
“No, I get it. That night, I was honestly just hoping to talk about us.”