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The DJ’s voice came through the speaker. “Fifteen minutes before we count down! If you need to refill your drinks, do it now, and grab that someone special to hold close when the ball drops!”

Carla removed herself from Lennox, her eyes shuffling around for Jacob.

There on the stairway, he was making his descent back to the first floor, oozing masculinity as he stepped down.

“This will be the best New Year’s Eve yet,” Lennox said, grabbing a drink from a nearby waitress. When he turned back, Carla was gone.

“Hey.” Carla’s lashes fluttered as she stared up at Jacob, who she met as soon as his feet hit the bottom floor.

“Bellissima, did you get weary waiting on me?”

Her smile highlighted her face. “No. It started to get a little out of hand, and also, I wanted to make sure my girls knew I was here to support them.”

“Genesis Rising?”

“Yes. We went to college together, and I’ve been stuck with them ever since.”

He chuckled as she laughed, knowing she was telling a joke.

“I see. And what about your male companion?”

Carla scrunched her face. “Lennox?”

“Is that his name?”

“Yeah, no. He’s not my companion. Just a friend.”

Jacob nodded. “A friend.”

“Yes.”

“Hey, Jacob, can I have a word?” A mocha-skinned woman with ripped booty shorts, a spaghetti-strap sequin top, hair down to her ass, and high heels slid an arm down Jacob’s bicep—entering their space.

He gave his attention to her briefly. “Bonita, everything okay? How’s your party?”

“The party is great. Our section is poppin’, but we’re getting ready to countdown to the New Year, and we’re missing one thing.”

“Oh yeah, what’s that?”

She pointed to him, and Carla didn’t try to hide her eye roll.

“You.”

Jacob’s smile was soft but flattering. “How about if I stop by to make sure you all are taken care of in a minute?”

Bonita glanced at Carla, a quick appraisal of her, then flipped her eyes back to Jacob.

“Sure. I’ll wait for you.”

Bonita turned and strolled away, but slowly, making sure that Jacob would get an eyeful if he were still watching. Fortunately for Carla, his gaze had landed back on her, but unfortunately, Carla witnessed Bonita doing a little too much for her man’s attention.

Your man?

She was shaken out of her thoughts when Jacob spoke. “She’s a customer, in case you were wondering. Would you like something to drink?”

“I would.”

Jacob slipped a hand in hers and led them to the bar. He ordered Carla a Sex on the Beach while he requested Patrón on the rocks.