“Are you sure I can’t get it out of you?” He wraps his arms around my middle as I arrange the flowers in a vase.
“Nope, my lips are sealed.”
“Damn, and here I was hoping to get to take you out tonight.” He nuzzles my neck and I sigh.
“Well, I could probably go out with you later, after my other date.”
Luke tickles my ribs and I squeal.
“Like hell. You’re mine, baby. Get used to it.”
I turn in his arms and run my hands through his hair, smiling up at him.
“You are the only one I’ll ever want, my love.”
His eyes soften and he gives me that kiss that makes me all gooey. “Ditto, baby.”
“Oh my God, do you two ever stop?”
Jules rolls her eyes as she comes in the room and Luke smiles smugly and kisses my cheek.
“Nope.”
“Gag. Nathan just texted, he’ll be here in a few…”
Just then the doorbell rings.
“He’ll be here right now. I’ll get it.”
She smiles and saunters to the front door.
“Who’s the guy?” Luke asks.
“A guy she works with.” I respond and Luke’s eyebrows shoot up.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Could be interesting.”
“Come on in and meet them.” Jules walks into the kitchen ahead of a very attractive man wearing dark jeans and a black long-sleeved button down shirt.
He’s tall like Luke with broad shoulders and slender hips, has long dark, dark hair pulled back in a short pony tail at the nape of his neck, gray eyes and a nice, square jaw. Yes, he’s swoon-worthy like Jules said before. He also has kind eyes, and he can’t take them off of Jules’ face as she introduces him to us.
He’s smitten.
“Nate, this is my roommate, Natalie, and her boyfriend, Luke Williams.”
Nate shakes both our hands and smiles at Luke. “It’s a pleasure. I can’t say I was a fan of the movies you acted in years ago, but I do love the ones you produce now. I’ve been waiting for Rough Shot to come out for months.” He smiles at us both and then steps back to drop his arm around Jules’ shoulders.
“Here’s hoping you like it.” Luke seems relaxed and I breathe an internal sigh of relief.
“Shall we go? I’m starving.”
“Let’s go.” Luke takes my hand and we all climb into his Mercedes SUV, me in the front with Luke and Jules and Nate in the back.
“Where would you like to eat?” Luke asks us.
I turn my head to answer and see Nate kiss Jules’ hand. Just friends my ass.
I’ll drill her later.
“How about that little Mexican place you took me to last week?” I suggest.
“It’s quiet and they have delicious margaritas.”
Both Jules and Nate nod in agreement.
“Mexican it is.” Luke picks up my hand and kisses my knuckles and I smile shyly at him.
The restaurant is relatively slow for a Friday night. The owners know Luke, so they escort us to a private booth near the back where we won’t be noticed.
After chips and salsa have been delivered, and we’ve all ordered, we sit back to sip margaritas and get to know Nate.
“So, Nate, what is it that you do?”
Luke asks.
“I work at the same investment firm as Julianne,” he responds and smiles down at Jules.
My eyebrows climb into my hairline and I meet Jules’ gaze with my own.
Julianne? No one calls her that.
Jules narrows her eyes at me, telepathically telling me to shut up.
“How long have you been doing that?”
Luke asks, oblivious to our silent conversation.
“About eight years.”
We make small talk for the better part of our meal. Nate is polite, attentive, and clearly completely taken with Jules.
And it’s completely mutual.
Luke lays his hand on my thigh and squeezes and I link my fingers through his.
“Do you sail?” Nate asks out of the blue.
“I’ve been a few times, but I haven’t in a while. You?”
“Yes, actually, I have a catamaran docked in Seattle. Would you two like to join us one afternoon for a tour around the Sound?”
Luke looks down at me to get my take and I nod and smile, catching Jules’
slight nod.
“Sounds fun.”
The check arrives but I pluck it off the table before anyone else can.
“You’re not paying for this.” Luke digs for his wallet but I hold the check away from him.
“Yes, I am. We’re celebrating your movie premiere, so I get to pay.”
“Fuck no, give me that check.”
“Mine.” I hold it against my chest as I pull my card out of my wallet.
“Goddamn it, Nat…”
I pull his face down to mine and kiss him long and slow. When I pull back we’re both out of breath. “Let me do this. I’m proud of you, damn it.”
“I can’t argue with you when you do that.” He mutters and looks disgusted, but I see the gleam of humor in his impossibly blue eyes and I smile smugly as I pass the check and my card to the waitress.
Nate watches our exchange with curiosity and then breaks out in a wide grin.
“Dude, you’ve got it bad.” He says to Luke.
“You have no idea,” Luke grumbles.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Four for Rough Shot, please.” I pass my card through to the ticket girl at the movie theater and smile at her. We’re quite early, but we want to get seats up in the back so we can be inconspicuous and leave after everyone else when it’s over.