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After only a few minutes, I glance up and see a group of young women at the bar watching me as they talk behind their hands, giggling as they see I’ve noticed them. They’re in their early twenties, dressed to the nines, and all gorgeous. I smile politely and look back at my crossword.
Thirty seconds later, Alex comes in, no doubt eager to meet Missie Macbeth. He gets himself a drink, then stands next to me and blows out a breath.
I give him an amused look. He’s never nervous. “So you are human,” I comment.
“I feel as if I’ve eaten a hive of bees,” he replies, rubbing his stomach.
I chuckle. “She’ll be here, don’t worry. It’s going to be a great evening.” I smile at Gaby and Tyson as they approach. “Evening, you two.”
“Hey, Henry.” Gaby kisses me on the cheek.
Tyson slaps me on the back. “You know you’re being eyed up by four twenty-somethings over by the bar?”
“They’re just looking for someone to reach the bottle of tequila on the top shelf.”
He grins. “Want me to talk to them for you?”
“What are you, twelve? No, I’m fine, thanks.”
“But there are four of them. Imagine the fun you could have.”
“I’m an old man now, Tice. I’d have a coronary before the first one got her underwear off.”
He snorts, and Gaby’s eyes twinkle. “Oh, I don’t think Henry’s interested in those bright young things. He has his sights fixed on a rose by another name, don’t you, sweetie?” She glances over at the door, and I follow her gaze to see Juliette coming into the bar.
Tall, slim, and naturally elegant, Juliette Kumar is wearing a sari tonight. The silk is the color of the setting sun outside, which compliments her light-brown skin, making her look young, healthy, and beautiful. The sequins sewn along the edge of the material reflect the twinkling fairy lights. She draws the gaze of every guy in the bar as she walks across to join us, and I’m not surprised. She looks fucking amazing.
Gaby bumps my shoulder with hers. I ignore it and say, “Hey,” as Juliette approaches.
“Hey.” She gives us both a bright smile. There’s something fake about it, though, and her eyes don’t meet mine. Behind her, Cam walks up and nods curtly.
“What do you want to drink?” he asks her.
“Chardonnay, please.”
“James has set up a company tab,” I tell him.
“I think I can afford to buy my girlfriend a glass of wine,” he snaps, and he walks off to the bar.
“Ouch,” I say, amused.
Juliette blushes. “Sorry,” she mumbles.
“Don’t apologize for him,” Gaby says. “He’s a knob. You okay?”
She nods and clears her throat, then leans on the table and looks upside down at the crossword I’m doing. “How’s it going?”
“About three quarters done.”
“Come on then, give us a clue.”
I look at the list. “Spheroidal dilated parts at the end of an anatomical structure. Five letters, beginning with B, ending with S.”
“Boobs,” Gaby says, and Juliette giggles.
“Bulbs,” she corrects, and I grin and pencil it in.
“So why’s Cam got the grumps on?” Gaby asks her.
