“It’s good to see you, Tanner.” She smiled and kissed my cheek.
“It’s good to see you, too.”
“Who’s your friend here?” My co-worker, Cody, interrupted.
I wanted to tell him to fuck off, but I forced a smile and introduced them. I didn’t let go of Easton when she turned to shake his hand; I left my hand on the small of her back.
Cody’s eyes trailed down Easton’s body, and the urge to throat punch him got stronger and stronger.
“How do you know Tanner?” Easton asked with a smile.
“We all work with him. How do you know each other?” Cody looked at me. “I thought you didn’t know anyone in California?”
Easton looked up at me in surprise and answered for me. “We’ve known each other for a couple of years, actually. We met while Tanner was on vacation down here and had a great time.” She winked, and that small gesture made me think it would all be okay.
“Why don’t you join us?” We’ve got a small section over in the corner.” Cody asked Easton, and I held my breath, waiting for her response.
She turned around and signaled her friends before turning back to me. “Do you have room for five?”
Five? I looked behind her and saw Rhian and Sadie walking toward us with two tall surfer-looking guys. Please don’t let her have a boyfriend. I don’t think I could handle that blow right now.
“Of course.” I didn’t want those guys anywhere near her, but the closer they got, the more familiar they looked, and I realized they were Spencer and Carson, her friends who I’d met briefly before. I let out a huge sigh of relief.
Looking back at the bartender, who still hadn’t come our way, I gave up. “I’d offer to order you a drink, but it looks like I may be waiting here all night.”
Easton smirked and moved past me to lean over the bar. Within ten seconds, the big burly guy behind the bar came over and kissed Easton’s cheek. She turned back to take our order, and he smiled before taking off.
“They’ll be at the table in a few.” She bounced on her feet excitedly as I stood there a little offended that she was able to get the bartender's attention so quickly. “What? I know him.” She shrugged.
Although the music was near deafening, we did our best at introductions. Although I’d met them before, I was happy when Easton introduced Spencer and Carson as friends, and the looks they gave her weren’t anything but friendly. If anything, I’d say that the brothers were totally into Sadie and Rhian, but I could’ve been wrong.
We tried to keep up a conversation, but it was nearly impossible, so after finishing our drinks, we went back out on to the dance floor.
All I wanted to do was grab Easton and stake my claim, but I decided against it and kept my distance. I knew she was still in shock that I was here, and she needed time to process it. I’d give her that.
The music pumped through the speakers as we all moved to the beat. I wasn’t the greatest dancer, but I wasn’t as bad as some of the other guys I’d witnessed since we’d walked through the door. Easton was doing her own thing. She could dance; every movement she made was calculated and beautiful. I tried my best not to stare, but it was like I was in a trance. Our eyes met and we both smiled, but my smile fell the moment I saw the look on Cody’s face. He was slowly making his way toward Easton, trying not to be too obvious. Instead of pounding the shit out of him like I wanted to, I gritted my teeth and took a deep breath before looking away. She wasn’t mine.
Jane tried to come dance around me, but I couldn’t keep my eyes off of Easton, watching her body move had me hypnotized.
Something flashed in Easton’s eyes as she glared at Jane, anger possibly; I wasn’t quite sure. I tried to stop the smirk from creeping out by biting my lip. Deciding to test this out, I turned slightly in Jane’s direction, enough for Easton to notice but not enough for Jane to think I was interested.
Easton’s nostrils flared, but she quickly composed herself before starting to dance her way toward me. Her face said sweet and innocent, but her body was pure sin. Her hips swayed seductively, and when she finally stopped before me, I noticed that I’d stopped dancing and I was staring slack-jawed at her.
“Close your mouth, Tanner. You’re drooling a little,” she teased.
Since I wasn’t sure if she was telling the truth, I tried to wipe my sleeve across my lips casually. I failed at the nonchalance based on her giggle.
“I think it’s time for another drink. What do you think?” She didn’t wait for my response; instead, she took my hand and pulled me behind her toward the bar.
She quickly summoned the bartender, leaning over the bar a little more than necessary. It took all my strength not to press my cock against her ass and remind her of what she’d been missing, but I refrained.
A moment later, she was spinning around with what looked to be two Sex on the Beach drinks in hand. I shook my head.
“Cheers.” She clinked her glass to mine and took a sip. “So, how’s California treating you?”
I wanted to tell her that it was crap without her in my life, but I decided against it. Although I still went for the pity party. “It’s all right. I miss having friends. I don’t have anyone to call to hang out with.” I shrugged, trying to play it off like it was no big deal.
“What about these guys?” She thumbed behind her. “That one girl looks like she wants to ride your pole.”
My eyes bugged out of my head, and I nearly choked on my drink. “Jane? No, sorry, she’s not my type. And the rest of them are okay, but it’s just not the same.”
“Not your type, huh?” She reached out her hand and ran it down my cheek but quickly pulled it back. “Well, you can hang out with us if you want.” She shrugged her indifference, and I smiled internally.
It was a small win, but I’d take it. “Thanks, Easton, I appreciate that. I’ll definitely hit you up.”
She smiled shyly up at me. “It really is great to see you, Tanner. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that the other day. I was just in shock.”
“It’s cool.” I shrugged and smiled, trying to convey the truth in my words. Her reaction hurt me, but I should’ve known better than to blindside her. “I get it. I shouldn’t have stopped in like that.”
She stared into my eyes, most likely trying to read my sincerity, but she’d find nothing but. If I had thought at all, I would’ve done things differently.
She glanced over my shoulder and nodded. “We’re going to head out. Text me, and we’ll hang out all right?”
“Yeah, for sure.” I wanted nothing more than to hold her close and never let her go, but I would bide my time. “Have a good night, Easton.” I leaned down and kissed her cheek.
She hesitated for a moment but then smiled before turning toward her friends. I watched her as she walked away. The moment the door closed behind her, my stomach sank.
Fifteen
Beach Waves
Easton
“Why hasn’t he called, though?” I was pacing the floor of Boathouse as Sadie and Rhian looked on amusingly.