He’s staring at me, and those green eyes framed by unfairly long lashes are as intense as I remember. He’s still holding my wrist and I wonder if he can feel how my pulse quickens at his touch. But he’s looking at me as if he can’t put a name to my face, which is quite a blow to my ego.
“Helen Blackwood,” he whispers, and even over the loud music I can see the way his lips form the letters of my name. Okay, so he does remember me. How could he not; we grew up together. Until I was seventeen years old, he was a part of my life.
Then one day he was gone.
“Oh my God! How are you?” I lean down and give him a big familiar hug but it’s awkward because he’s sitting and stiff and not reciprocating the hug. I stand up and back away feeling a bit stupid.
“What are you doing here?” he asks.
I laugh and push my hip out, a hand at my waist. What a dumb question. “I work here.”
“Here? At a club? You’re a bartender?”
“You always were bright,” I say with a chuckle, but he doesn’t even smile back.
“How can you be working here?” He looks around completely shocked at the idea. It’s not like I’m working at a skeevy dive bar, for God’s sake. This is a very high-end Miami Beach establishment. I make great money.
“I’m not sure I understand the question.” Now I’m getting riled up and feeling defensive.
“You’re a Blackwood.”
“And you’re an Archer,” I say, matter-of-factly, but he still seems utterly perplexed. This is the guy I’ve compared every man to my entire life. I’ve put him on this pedestal of perfection, with his amazing cheekbones, lean body with extraordinarily muscular arms from years of tennis, and brilliant mind. But as he sits here and judges me, I see the pedestal begin to crumble. Or maybe I’ve just grown wiser with all the shit that’s been thrown at me the past few years. Whatever the case may be, Mr. Perfect is looking more and more like Mr. Judgmental Asshole right now.
When he still doesn’t say anything, I pull my hand away, turn, and go back to the bar, trying to figure out what the hell just happened.
Love stories you’ll never forget
By authors you’ll always remember
eOriginal Romance from Random House
randomhousebooks.com
What’s next on
your reading list?
Discover your next
great read!
* * *
Get personalized book picks and up-to-date news about this author.
Sign up now.
Kiss Me Back Page 22
