He took another sip, coughing slightly around the swallow when a familiar blond, with an equally familiar scowl, appeared before him.
“Theo,” Blair said warningly.
“Yes?” Theo asked innocently.
“That is not Champagne.”
“Neither is what you have out for everyone.”
“Theo.”
“Oh come on, it’s almost the end of the night, and I’ve been a very good boy,” Theo all but whined.
Blair rolled her eyes. “Honestly, you get asked to behave yourself for a few hours, and you act like I’ve put you on a rack.”
“That would be far more interesting than this night has been,” he told her, correcting himself as he looked around the crowd. “Didn’t know you were so kinky, though.”
“No need for you to scan the crowd, everyone’s pretty much had their time with you already. You’re safe,” Blair assured him.
That wasn’t what he was looking for, but he shrugged in response. It had been nearly thirty minutes since he’d last seen the doc, and he was beginning to think the man had gone home. He frowned as he realized the thought gave him a sinking feeling of disappointment in his gut.
Theo turned his attention back to her. “Then, by that logic, I should be perfectly fine to have myself a nice drink of...I don’t know, I think this is whiskey.”
“You don’t even know what you’re drinking,” Blair said.
“Not a clue, but I know it’s alcohol and good alcohol at that.”
“Honestly.”
Theo winked at her. “You love me.”
A new voice piped up behind him. “I think I’m seeing what Emily meant.”
He turned to face another blond woman, though this one had her arm looped around the elbow of the very man Theo had been looking for. The woman was dressed exquisitely, but Theo’s eyes lingered on the good doctor, whose dark blue eyes were locked on Theo, a small smile playing on his face.
“And here I thought everyone interesting had already left,” Theo purred.
Grant shook his head. “We were just getting ready to head home. Someone misses her bed.”
The woman sighed. “You were the one yawning Grant, don’t pin this one on me.”
“Mmm, I think I like this one,” Theo said, eyeing her.
She gave a laugh, offering her hand. “I’m Lydia. I absolutely love your work. And I’m also engaged.”
Theo smirked, taking her hand gently and kissing her knuckles. “And here I was about to invite you both out for a drink with me.”
“And I’m sure I know what a drink would involve,” Lydia said wryly.
“Only something you would both enjoy,” Theo said, though his eyes drifted to Grant.
“Theo,” Blair groaned from behind him.
Lydia chuckled, using her arm to push Grant forward. “I’m spoken for. This one, however, is completely and utterly free to take you up on the offer.”
“Lydia,” Grant moaned.
She grinned wickedly, turning her gaze to Blair behind him. “I take it you know this charming man?”
“Yes, please don’t hold it against me,” Blair responded.
“Well how about us ladies get us a drink and leave the boys to theirs,” Lydia said, stepping forward and taking Blair by the arm as though they were old friends.
Theo watched them go, raising a brow. “You know, I think I like her.”
“She’s engaged,” Grant told him.
Theo gave a light laugh. “I meant as a person. I’m a slut, Grant, not a homewrecker.”
“Nice to know your morals are still intact.”
The delivery was deadpan, but Theo detected wry humor underneath it. “I imagine there are several things you probably don’t know about me, Doc.”
“Yes, including the fact that you’re a surprisingly excellent painter.”
Theo eyed him. “Surprisingly? I’m not sure if I should be offended or not.”
Grant chuckled, nodding his head. “I meant it as a compliment, though I can certainly see where my wording could use a bit of work.”
Theo shrugged, taking another slug of whiskey. “I have a habit, a bad one, according to my cousin, of saying what comes to mind. I’m not going to fuss because you saw me and assumed I was a burnout.”
Grant looked up sharply. “I never thought that.”
Theo looked over himself. “Oh?”
Grant snorted. “I’ve been a doctor for far too long, I know a burnout when I see one. It’s in the eyes.”
Interesting. “Care to step outside with me?”
Grant’s sharp gaze went wary. “I believe we’ve had this discussion already.”
Theo laughed. “I want to have a smoke, not grope you in an alley.”
“Now it’s my turn to wonder if I should be insulted or not.”
“Oh, I definitely still want to grope you, but even I have standards. Plus, you like to play hard to get, so I’m not going to jump you outside.”
“Hard to…” Grant began, shaking his head. “Why not? Lydia has obviously found someone to occupy her, and I could use the fresh air.”
Theo turned and began walking. “It’s an alley, and I’ll be smoking, I don’t know how fresh the air will be.”
“We’re in the city, the air isn’t going to be all that fresh anyway.”
“Touché.”
With his babysitter’s attention no longer focused solely on him, Theo strode toward the back with Grant in tow. He honestly had no idea where Emily had gotten to, but he was glad she’d stayed out of his hair once the show started. The workers in the back barely paid them any mind once they spotted Theo, probably assuming he was up to no good. They were simply keeping their own noses clean. It would have been a fair assumption any other time, he would give them that.
As soon as they stepped out into the dimly lit alley, Theo lit up. “Ah, much better.”
Grant shuffled out after him, putting distance between him and the clouds of smoke. “I know you’re no longer my patient, but I do feel obligated to point out that those are terrible for your health.”
Theo winked at him. “Everyone’s got their vices.”
“Right along with the, as you put it, slutty behavior, and I’m guessing the drink is up there too.”
“You would not be wrong.”
“Have you rounded it out by not eating well too?”
“It’s like you already know me, Doc.”
“Grant.”
Theo blinked. “Hm?”
“If you insist on me calling you Theo, you can call me Grant.”
Theo cocked his head. “Grant, it is then.”
Grant gave him a smile so warm, Theo felt his chest squeeze. “And now that we’re properly acquainted, what would it take to convince you to spend an evening with me?”
Theo let out a laugh. “Uh, I think we already established how interested in that I am.”
Grant shook his head. “Not your idea of an evening, but mine.”
“And what would that be?”
“You and me. Maybe some food, a couple of drinks.”
“So, a date.”
“Yes.”