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“Thank you,” I say as I accept a flute from the disinterested server and drink it down.
The place is crowded, and as soon as I spot another server, I grab another champagne flute, but I take my time enjoying this one.
A loud wolf whistle sounds behind me, and I roll my eyes. “Wow, you clean up nice.” The sound of Amelia’s voice puts me at ease, and I turn to see her wearing a big smile that’s nearly as sparkly as her gold dress.
“I could say the same to you, Ames. Are you looking to bag a rich benefactor?”
She rolls her eyes. “I’ll settle for gorgeous and hung with excellent communication skills and a high emotional quotient.” Her laughter draws a few looks, but she’s oblivious. “Love the dress.”
“Thanks,” I say, twirling to show off the slinky silhouette. “It was beautiful and on sale, two things I look for when it comes to impractical clothing choices.”
Amelia leans in with a conspiratorial smile. “Well, it’s certainly working based on the way all the men are checking you out. Almost makes me wish I hadn’t spent so much time getting dolled up.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh, please. You’re always dressed up and looking fantastic. You know it.”
She gives me a satisfied smile. “It’s nice to hear, anyway.” Amelia lets out a sigh and stands beside me to look over the crowd. “There are some good-looking guys in here tonight,” she whispers.
“And many of them are law enforcement, so be careful.”
“Because you’re calling dibs? Or some other reason?” Her brows arch, and she leans in, hungry for all the gossip.
“Because shitting where you eat can make things complicated. Trust me.” I think of Nate and that damn lingerie. Again.
“Noted. But maybe I’m looking for tonight and not forever.” She wiggles her auburn brows, laughing and drawing stares.
“In that case, have at it,” I tell her just as my gaze lands on a good-looking man who can’t seem to keep his eyes off me. But a deeper look reveals he’s not just totally fucking gorgeous—he’s also familiar. I search my memory for recent faces and smile because he’s the rich prick from Beans & Things.
“Whoa,” Amelia sighs. “How do you know him?”
Something about Amelia’s tone draws my attention back to her. “Do you know him?” It would be just my luck that this handsome man is one of her former conquests.
Amelia’s eyes go wide. “You don’t know Damien Wolfe?”
I frown. “I know the name, sure. Some rich tech guy who’s going to change the world or something. Right? But that guy over there spilled coffee on me a few days ago.” I know the name because he’s always in the news. But unless it helps me solve a murder, I don’t bother myself with celebrity news and gossip. “Didn’t know they grew tech nerds so hot, though.”
“Well, he can’t take his eyes off you, and he’s coming this way, so shoot your shot, Frankie.”
I hear her words and feel it when she bumps my shoulder with hers. Giddiness radiating from her body. But I can’t take my eyes off the tech nerd, Damien Wolfe, as he quickly approaches me.
“Fancy meeting you here,” he says when he reaches us, his voice low and deep, hitting all the right pleasure centers.
“Too fancy to let you spill more coffee on me,” I reply with a smile.
His smile gets bigger, and at that moment, I realize I may have judged him too harshly at our first meeting. A man who can laugh at himself is a rare breed.
“I am truly sorry about that.” He holds out a hand. “Damien Wolfe. Supporter of law enforcement.”
I smile and extend my hand. “Francesca DeMarco, law enforcement. And this is my friend, Dr. Amelia Novak.”
He shakes my hand, and a jolt of electricity courses between us, so intense I have to steady myself to keep from pulling away. Then he turns to Amelia, nodding warmly as he shakes her hand. “The pleasure is mine,” he says, before his gaze returns to me.
“I’ll just slip out,” Amelia says with a playful grin, pretending to be the awkward third wheel.
“Nice meeting you, Amelia,” Damien replies, and I silently credit his mother for raising him with good manners.
“Go for it,” Amelia mouths behind him before she spins and takes off toward a group of tuxedos.
I turn another smile to Damien, who still looks at me as if I’m on tonight’s menu. “So, a supporter of law enforcement?”
