Undeniable (Cloverleigh Farms #2)(42)

“The tattoo.”

“Oh. Duh.” I’d forgotten I was wearing a dress with a low back, and my hair was up too, making the line of script across my shoulder blades plainly visible.

“How are you?” He leaned in to kiss my cheek, and I let him. He looked good, of course, perfectly turned out in a charcoal suit and striped tie.

“Fine.”

He grinned. “I’m fine too.”

“I didn’t ask.”

He tipped up his drink. “You look great.”

“Thanks. So do you.” I glanced at his legs. “Decided to wear pants to this occasion, huh?”

He laughed. “Indeed I did.”

I looked straight ahead again, wishing my skin didn’t feel quite so warm. It was like he radiated some kind of thermal energy my body was conditioned to respond to. I’d been perfectly cool a moment ago.

“I take it you’re still angry about what happened at Hughie’s party,” he said.

I shrugged.

“Come on, there are bigger crimes in the world than giving someone an orgasm.”

“Shush!” I glanced around, making sure no one heard. “That wasn’t the reason I got mad, and you know it.”

“What was the reason again?”

We moved forward in line. “Your moral repugnance.”

“Oh, good. I thought it was something serious.”

I gave him a dirty look. “What are you doing here?”

“In Chicago or at this event?”

“Both.”

“I’m in town visiting a friend. His mom is on the board at the hospital. What about you?”

“I came with my roommate. She works for the hospital foundation. And my company does their PR.”

“Ah.” He swirled the honey-colored liquid in his glass. “I’ve reached out a few times over the last year or so. Sent you a few texts.”

“Oh really? I didn’t get them,” I said. “Maybe you have the wrong number.”

He smiled, because he knew I was lying.

A moment later, we reached the front of the line, and Oliver asked me what I’d like.

“Vodka and soda with a lime, please,” I said to the bartender. I’d be damned if I’d let him order for me.

The bartender nodded and looked at Oliver. “And for you?”

“Nothing for me, thanks.”

While my drink was being poured, I put a dollar in the tip jar and checked my phone. It was only nine, and I was already bored stiff at this event. I wasn’t really a gala sort of person, and while I liked supporting a good cause with my work, standing around in a fancy dress and high heels making small talk with stiff rich people got old fast. My roommate had disappeared an hour ago with a recently divorced surgeon she’d been crushing on, and I had a feeling they’d gotten a room upstairs. But I didn’t want to leave without hearing from her.

The bartender returned with my cocktail, and Oliver reached for it. “I’ll carry it for you,” he said. “Where are you sitting?”

“Where’s your date?” I asked, moving away from the bar. “Isn’t she missing you by now?”

He followed me. “I came with a guy friend, and while he is gay, I’m pretty sure I’m not his type.”

“Oh.” I looked over toward my table, which I wasn’t particularly excited about returning to. “I was sitting over there, but …”

“You don’t want to sit?”

“Not really.” I took my drink from his hand and sipped, making a face. “Ew. This is totally watered-down, and I think he put tonic in it, not soda.”

“Want me to get another one for you?”

I sighed and shook my head. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Listen. Why don’t we go upstairs to the hotel bar and get a real drink?”

“I don’t know. I’m kind of tired.” I checked my phone, and sure enough, the message from my roommate said Staying here tonight!!!

“Come on, Dimples,” Oliver prodded. “I’m buying, and we can catch up. We haven’t seen each other in, what, two years?”

“Three,” I said, narrowing my eyes at him, because he knew exactly when it was. “Hughie’s party, remember?

“I remember.” He finished his drink, his eyes dancing over the rim of his glass. “So what do you say? One drink for old times’ sake? I promise I’m not carrying any rubber snakes, nor will I dare you to jump off the roof.”

“Your promises mean nothing to me, Oliver Pemberton. Because you never keep them.” I frowned at my crappy cocktail. “But I would like a good drink before I go.”

He laughed, taking the full glass from my hand and setting it alongside his empty one on a nearby service tray. “You got it. Let’s go. One drink, and then I’ll get you an Uber.”

I sighed. “Fine.”

We made our way toward the hotel elevators, and I stumbled slightly on the long hem of my dress. Oliver immediately took my arm. “You okay?”

“Yeah. I borrowed this dress, so it’s not a perfect fit. My roommate is taller than I am.”

“Who isn’t?”

I glared at him but let him keep my arm in his grasp. I didn’t necessarily like him touching me—my body always reacted to his touch—but I didn’t want to face-plant, either.