When I stumble back, strong fingers wrap around my upper arms to anchor me in place. I don’t have to look up to realize who I’ve crashed into. The way his fingers burn my flesh is answer enough. A zip of adrenaline shoots through me when my gaze locks on familiar green eyes.
As soon as the attraction flares to life inside me, I stomp it out. You would think the way he dumped me after we had sex would be enough to kill any tender feelings I’d once held for him, but apparently that’s not the case.
“I didn’t expect to see you here.” There’s a pause as he searches my eyes in the darkness. “It’s been a while.”
Fifteen months to be correct, but who’s counting?
I step away so he has no choice but to release me from his hold before jerking my thumb over my shoulder. “Alyssa dragged me here to see Colton.”
He glances toward the newly minted couple. “Yeah, they appear to be going strong. Good for them.”
I almost snicker. Really? Good for them? Ha! “For the time being.” I can’t resist adding, “I’m sure it won’t last.”
“Wow,” he murmurs, raising his hand to scratch his jaw, “that’s harsh.”
I shrug. I prefer to think of it as being more pragmatic than anything else.
“It’s the truth.”
Sadness settles over his features. “Mia, do you think we could go somewhere and—”
“Talk?” I lift the glass to my lips and drain the remainder. I need a moment to tamp down all the emotion trying to break free inside me. I’ll be damned if I allow him to undo all my progress.
When I’m once again under control, I shake my head. “Sorry, that didn’t work out so well last time. Let’s do ourselves a favor and leave the past where it belongs, sound good to you?”
“Yeah, sure.” His broad shoulders collapse. “If that’s what you want.”
“It is.”
An uncomfortable silence falls over us. When it turns unbearable, Beck clears his throat. “Are you still planning on going to law school?”
Is this what it’s come to? Inane chitchat about our majors like a couple of strangers who met at a lame party? Someone needs to pull the plug on this conversation before it can jackhammer to a new level of painfulness.
“Yup, still pre-law.”
“Ari just started at Stanford. He seems to like it.”
“Yeah, I know. I spoke to him this summer about taking the LSAT. We’ve made plans to get together over Thanksgiving break. He’s going to give me some pointers for taking the test. He also invited me to check out the campus since Stanford is on my short list.”
Beck’s eyes darken before scouring mine. “You’re going to California to visit him?”
“To check out the law school,” I correct. It has nothing to do with Ari and everything to do with Stanford. Ari is like the big brother I never had. We got close this summer when we interned at his father’s law firm.
“That’s great.” His voice turns flat. “You guys are a perfect pair.”
Huh?
“What does that mean?” I ask.
Wait a minute…does Beck think I’m interested in his brother?
Not that I owe him an explanation, but the words are tumbling out of my mouth before I can stop them. “I’m interested in Stanford, not your brother.”
“You sure about that?” Bitterness twists his lips. “Ari’s a great guy.”
That’s probably the one thing Beck and I can agree on.
“Not that it’s any of your business but Ari is nothing more than a friend.” I snap my mouth closed, irritated with myself for telling him that. After more than a year of separation, it’s demoralizing to realize that my attraction to Beck is as strong as it was in high school.
“Good.” He steps closer, and the distance between us shrinks. “We need to talk, Mia. There are things I need to explain.”
Out of nowhere, a muscular arm slides around my shoulders and tugs me close.
“Hey, babe. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” Arron Reinhold, the guy I’ve been casually seeing, kisses the side of my face. “Where have you been?”
“Right here, talking with Beck.” Even though Arron has never struck me as the jealous type, I add, “We went to high school together.”
“That’s cool.” Arron smiles at Beck before giving him a chin lift in greeting. “Great game this afternoon.”
“Thanks.” Beck shifts his weight as his narrowed gaze bounces between us.
Needing to escape this situation before it becomes anymore stifling, I shake my empty glass. “Looks like I could use a refill.”
Arron nips the red plastic cup from my hand. “Sure thing, babe. I’ll grab it for you. Be back in a minute.”
I open my mouth to protest, but he’s already disappearing through the crowd. Unsure what to do now that my plan has been foiled, I glance at Beck from the corner of my eye.
An amused smile tugs at the edges of his lips as his muscles relax. “He seems like a nice guy.”