Page 5 of Velvet Varnish

“It’s perfect. I’ll tell Lachlan you say hi.” She winks at him.

“Said hi to him at the bar, but thanks.” He rolls his eyes at me and glances at where Lachlan sits at the bar, pretending not to watch us. I turn my giggle into a cough.

“I thought you might want the second book early. The cliffhanger is brutal.”

“I know! I couldn’t believe the ending.” My hand reaches for the book and I shiver when I brush his skin. It shouldn’t affect me like this. I touch his hands every month, but only in a professional setting. In the bar, when he’s brought me a book because he’s thinking of me, I can’t help the fluttering from spreading through my body.

“You enjoyed it?” He taps his fingers on the table. A smile spreads across my face when I see the flames painted there, my tiny claim on him.

“I did. Thank you for lending it to me.” A glance at Chloe shows she’s watching the exchange with raised eyebrows, sitting back in her chair, bouncing her eyes between us as if she’s watching a tennis match.

Dom flinches when the sound of shattered glass interrupts our conversation. He glances behind him. “I have to fix that. I’ll send over more drinks. See you later, Isla.”

“Thanks, Dom,” Chloe says as he walks away. He doesn’t turn back, too focused on the bar. His jeans cling to his ass andI tilt my head, following him until he disappears. When he’s out of earshot, Chloe spins to me. “When’s the wedding?”

“What?” I splutter. His book gets tucked into my bag safely. No way am I telling Chloe I’ve already designed my wedding nails.

“I just watched him talk to you and barely look away. He brought another book for you in case you finished the other one early and were suffering from the end. Isla, when’s the wedding?” Her eyes gleam with excitement.

“There isn’t one. He’s my friend. He doesn’t see me that way.” If he did, there would definitely be a wedding, but I’m not telling Chloe that either.

“Friends don’t look at each other like that.”

“Like what.”

“Like he wants to eat you.”

“Chloe!” My cheeks heat and I bite my lip. Scanning the bar, I try to find Dom, but he’s hidden by the other customers. “He doesn’t. Does he?” It’s an intriguing thought, but I send it scattering before I can imagine his hair brushing my stomach.

“You need to tell him how you feel. I think you’ll be surprised.”

“And what happens when he doesn’t return my feelings? I lose my friend, my book buddy, my—” I cut myself off before I saymy Dom. In my mind he is, but I know it’s not going to happen. I can’t risk it.

I won’t.

Chloe squeezes my hand. “I’m sorry for pushing. I think you should go for it, but maybe I’m wrong.”

“This isn’t like you and Lachlan. I don’t want to ruin anything. I’m happy with the way things are.”

Chloe nods, withdraws her hand and snags a chip. “How’s the business? I’ve got tourists coming out of my ears.”

“Same. Lots of nude colours and blues.”

We discuss our stores and the tourists who still flock to the beach even though we’re in autumn and the weather’s cooling. I try not to let the stab in my chest show when she talks lovingly about Lachlan and instead search deep for excitement and happiness for her. If I were in the same position, she’d be happy for me. I refuse to ruin her excitement.

The crowd gets rowdier with drunken slurring, so we have to yell at each other to hear. Friday isn’t our usual day, but schedules are difficult to align—especially when Chloe would probably prefer to spend the night with Lachlan. Lachlan’s waiting at the bar for us to finish so he can take her home. I ignore the thought. It’s born of envy and nothing else.

A jolt runs through me when a heavy body crashes into the seat beside me. Butterflies churn in my stomach but sour when I glance at the man who’s pressing against me. It isn’t Dom. I edge closer to the wall, away from him. “Can I help you?”

He turns glazed eyes on me and grins. “Hey.”

“Hi. There a reason you’re sitting here?” I glance at Chloe, whose face is clouded. There isn’t reason to panic. Yet.

“You’re hot.” He drapes a heavy arm across my shoulders and yanks me close.

“I’m having a girls’ night tonight.”

“Not anymore. You should come dance with me.”