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I faced forward, my back to Josh and his judgey-ness. The line moved forward until we were finally inside. I was still shivering. A heavy fabric slid onto my shoulders. I peaked over my shoulder to see that Snooty Ass had taken off his suit jacket, draping it across my shoulders. It was warm, really warm, actually. I mumbled a thanks and he nodded in response.
Doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for creeping up on me, jerk.
I rotated a bit to send Josh a quick sideways glance. He was looking at his phone. But he looked…hot. The sleeves of his white button-up shirt were rolled halfway up his arms, exposing his toned forearms, one hand tucked into the pocket of his black suit pants. The top three buttons on his button-up were undone, exposing wisps of chestnut chest hair, a shade lighter than his slicked-back, dark chestnut hair on his head. His jawline flexed in concentration while he typed away on his screen. His shirt was sculpted onto him, accentuating his shoulders, stretching at the seams around his biceps.
Any thoughts of Seth from earlier completely disappeared as I was sucked into thoughts of Josh and whatexactlyhe might beable to do with that muscle hidden under his clothes. I licked my lips.
Well, that was a quick recovery there, Snow. Want to take it down a notch? You’re practically panting after the guy.
I shook my head.
I’ve got to slow down on the books. Dunk myself in an ice bath. Something.
I’m out of control.
I hardly even know the guy.
“Hey guys, table’s ready,” Seth said to Josh and me, his thumb pointed over his shoulder to where Libby and Derik followed a young waitress, her fiery-blue ponytail bobbing behind her.
“Coming, coming,” I hitched as I trailed behind Seth, gnawing on my bottom lip. Josh followed behind us. The waitress led us to a booth in the back of the restaurant and handed each of us a drink menu before sprinting off to her next table. Derik and Libby slid into one side of the booth and Seth slid into the other. I sighed and moved to sit next to Seth, Josh scooting in right behind me.
Too close. They’re both too close.
My cheeks flushed and I forced down my rampant imagination.
I need space.
How the hell am I going to make it through this meal being sandwiched between these guys?
Fuck me, dude.
Not literally though, please.
OH MY GOD. Calm the fuck down, Erin. What is happening?
I’m losing my freaking mind.
“I think I’m going to get one of their bottomless margaritas. Anyone want to split it with me?” Libby asked, her bubbliness in full swing. I took her in, pulling back the jealousy goggles once again. I really didn’t know Libby that well. At all actually, outsideof her power and what little snippets of information I’d heard from Seth and Derik.
Oh what the hell.
“I’ll split it with you, Libby. I used to get them here all the time when I first moved out here,” I cracked a smile. “Although I had to sneak them back then.”
She whooped, “Yay!” She lit up, flagging down another waitress. “How did you end up moving out here, anyway? Seth never told us.”
That was surprising, as they all seemed to know about my dad and him having been an Angel, when I had zero inclination on that bit of information until recently. “I figured you guys knew,” I shot Seth a glare, further pushing down thoughts from the ride over. “You didn’t seem surprised about my dad being an Angel.” My voice surprisingly even.
“I mean one of our parents has to be for us to be Nephilim, so process of elimination, Short Stuff,” Derik said, sliding his arm around the back of the booth, fingers lightly resting on Libby’s shoulder.
Wait…does Derik…?
“Fair enough.” I wiggled my ass in the booth and scooted backwards so I was flush against the apricot-quilted booth-back. I angled myself so I was leaning a bit, loosely crossing my arms over my chest. I crossed my ankles as well, channeling the essence of being entirely nonchalant. I might’ve been mentally praying that they all bought the level of ease I was fully orchestrating.
The Angels, God or whoever, must’ve been listening because our waitress brought out the margarita for Libby and me. The damn thing was the size of a fishbowl with a few of those mini shot bottles scattered throughout. I hoped the guys would join in because I wasn’t sure about Libby, but my ass was a total lightweight when it came to drinking. I didn’t do much of it andnever had. I’ve always preferred being alert and keeping my eyes on what was around me. But Seth was there. Derik, given recent events, I had a feeling that although he got under my skin, I would be safe around him. Josh, I still wasn’t sure due to the whole emotional whiplash and seemingly patriarch response to my choice of clothing and personality.
Libby swung one of the straws my way before wrapping her lips around hers and sucking down gulps of the sugary alcohol. I leaned forward, drawing my straw to my lips as well, taking a deep pull. The alcohol burned on the way down.
“Holy shit they made this strong.” A bright toothy smile split Libby’s face. I couldn’t help but smile too. A little relaxation was needed. Even if I’d only been awake less than a full day after being out of commission. We giggled at each other before each slurping down more of the party-sized drink.
