Tease Me (Private Listing #4)

“Weird. It’s always the quiet ones.” Hope shakes her head.

Sara takes pity on me and talks about a show she just watched. Apparently Hope watches it too. For a second, I feel like an outsider again. The guys take up a lot of my time, but I have had some moments to read or watch TV.

I’m just not used to it yet.

“Madison has barely watched anything for years, so almost everything is new to her.” Hope brings me back into the conversation. “We should totally do a movie night.”

“That sounds amazing. I could use a break from my little sister. We watch Barbie movies or Disney. She randomly belts out songs from Frozen. Caitlyn cannot carry a tune in a bucket. I swear if I hear ‘Let It Go’ one more time, I’m going to scream.” Sara laughs.

“I’m in.” More time getting to know these women seems like an easy decision.

We drink and laugh about all sorts of things. My phone buzzes and I glance at Blake, who’s talking with Jason. As if he senses me watching him, he turns. Our eyes meet and my heart swells.

I pull out my phone, expecting it to be one of the guys. It’s an unknown number. My heart beats hard in my ears as I stare at the notification. I could ignore it. Deal with it later. I don’t have to let my stalker have control over my life.

The notification is a picture, so if I don’t open it, I won’t know what it is. Another notification comes in, followed by another.

“I need to use the bathroom.” Hope smiles at me before she leaves and I register it, but part of me can’t help thinking, What did he send me now?

“I’m sorry about Noah. It just slipped out.” Sara takes a drink and her eyes search my face. “Are you okay?”

I release my breath. It could just be some sales thing. I’m being ridiculous.

“Just a message on my phone. I’m sure it can wait.” Setting it down, I turn back to Sara. “I’m sorry, you were saying?”

She smiles. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I didn’t mean to out Noah. He’s just such a great guy and I can see why you’d want him.”

Warmth fills me. “Noah is great. We’ve connected since the beginning.”

“I wish Wyatt saw me as someone other than his best friend’s little sister.” She grins. “Maybe I’ll actually start dating someone for real and just let the whole Wyatt thing go.”

“There’s that group of guys over there that have been watching you.” I gesture with my head. The guys are around our age, in jeans and Henley shirts with their hair perfectly styled. When both Sara and I look at them, one of them cocks an eyebrow and gives us a flirty smile.

Giggling, Sara and I turn back to the bar.

“I’m not sure where I’ll find a guy. Probably not a bar. Maybe I’ll wait until I have my internship lined up for the fall and go for the boss like you did.” Sara bumps her shoulder into mine.

I laugh and take a drink. She doesn’t know about the contract. Which involves all my bosses.

Hope slides up next to me on her bar stool. “What’s funny?”

Sara jerks her head in the direction of the guys. “Madison was helpfully pointing out the table of guys checking us out.”

“I said checking you out. I’ve got a man.” Grinning, I love that I can say that. I can’t wait for the day I can claim all of them. My gaze darts to Blake.

“Well, I don’t.” Hope turns and winks at the guy who gave us the flirty smile.

He grins and stands from his table.

“Oh, shit.” Sara giggles and takes another drink. “I’m too buzzed to be cool about this. I’m so sorry in advance.”

Hope leans back on the bar and never takes her eyes off the guy. “I bet you he doesn’t even come over here.”

I turn to watch him. “He’s obviously heading over here.”

She shakes her head. “Oh, he’ll start to but…”

The guy turns with a cocky smile and heads our way. His gaze takes in each of us from head to toe. He’s got dark hair and dark eyes. He’s fit and tall but not as gorgeous as my guys. I’m curious what will happen.