Page 31 of Twisted Beauty

“Guilty. And you’re Nate?”

“I am.”

Matt joined Nate at the cooler, wondering how he’d managed to miss it considering it was big enough to store a dead body.

“What happened to Zach?” Nate asked.

“One guess.”

“Ah, yes. The blonde.” Nate dug out two beers. “Modelo all right?”

“Sure.” Not his favorite, but right about now, he’d drink raicilla if that was all he could get.

Nate carried both bottles into the kitchen and pried the lids open on a drawer pull. He handed one to Matt. The guy didn’t even own a bottle opener. Who lived like this?

“Thanks, man.” Matt took a gulp of beer and felt the tension in his shoulders start to fade. “I’m sure Zach’ll show eventually.”

Nate lifted the lid off the top pizza box and leaned in for a long whiff. “Los Muertos makes the best pies in town. There may be nothing left by the time he arrives.”

“I’m all for that.” Matt took another swig of beer. “So how big is this party of yours supposed to be?”

“Just a few mates. Kat’s bringing a bird she introduced me to the other day. Delightful redhead. Legs up to here. And—”

“Liv?” Matt almost spit out his beer. Though why it bothered him so much, he couldn’t say. There was no reason he should care if Nate ogled Liv’s legs, for Christ’s sake. He’d done it himself. “You talking about her friend from LA? Photographer?”

“You know of her. Has Kat tried to set you up as well?” Nate raised an eyebrow.

“You could say that. Not my type though,” Matt said, leaning back against the counter and hoping it didn’t collapse under his weight.

Nate nodded. “Green eyes, long hair, and that body. I can see why you’d turn that down.”

Matt had been trying not to think about it. Instead, he focused on all the deal breakers. American. Friend of a friend. Vulnerable after a breakup. Red flags galore. “From what I’ve heard, she’s got enough baggage to fill up your living room.”

Nate grinned. “I don’t plan to entertain her in the living room.”

Matt had to force himself to loosen his grip on his beer before he shattered the bottle. “It’s your funeral.”

Nate laughed at that. “A one-off, mate. Nothing more. Sounds like she’s in need of a distraction, and I’m happy to provide it.”

So this was the guy Zach had suggested he go surfing with in Sayulita? The one Katie kept calling a great catch. Women were so damned gullible. He’d known Nate for all of five minutes, and that was enough to know he was a player. Well, if Liv didn’t have enough common sense to stay away from someone like this, it wasn’t Matt’s problem.

A loud knock sent Nate trotting down the front stairs.

Matt paced across the cavernous room and back again, wondering just what kind of shitstorm he was in for when Liv and Kat saw him here. He heard several muffled voices, both male and female.

Liv reached the landing first, wearing a silky yellow dress that flowed like caramel over her hips and clung to the smooth skin of her thighs. Short enough that Matt’s eyes kept trying to push up the material of their own accord. His throat felt dry.

Nate’s voice came from behind her. “…it has its own charm. I’m in the process of renovating.”

“Charm, my ass,” Matt muttered under his breath.

Liv stepped a few feet into the living room to look around. “Wow, this is great. It’ll be incredible when it’s done, but it looks like a ton of work. You’re doing it all yourself?”

“I am,” Nate said with a hint of pride in his voice. Someone needed to let him know renovation meant actually getting your hands dirty and fixing shit.

When Liv’s gaze finally landed on Matt, she scowled.

He flashed her a smile. “Olivia Jaye, good to see you again.” Since he’d already been such a jerk, he might as well go with it. What was he supposed to do? Grovel for forgiveness?