Page 4 of Power Move

I didn’tquiteknow what that meant.

“I’m going to order drinks,” I said loudly. “What do you ladies want?”

“If they have whiskey, I prefer MacCallan—they have the 12, I bet. It’s decent. Not swill.”

I did a double take. She knew her scotch.

“I can manage that probably,” I said. “And I will get some champagne sent over for the others. And… water.”

By now, Callie was grinding on a dance floor railing.

“I’m too sick of this shit,” Jace muttered. “I’m coming to help.”

They followed me to the bar where we waited.

“So, why the hell are you here?” Jace asked.

“What?” I laughed. “You and Eva have your hands full as the only adults in the room.”

“Sad, I know. I’m only twenty-five,” Jace said. “These women are all over thirty—well, I guess Eva’s twenty-nine. Anyhow, you sidled in like hot daddy vibes and you’re clearly interested in Eva. Yet, you know nothing about her, and she’s not given you any indication she’s interested.”

“Truthfully, I would have no idea how to read interest with Eva,” I admitted.

Jace cackled. “Okay, fair.”

The bartender arrived, obliging us to two beers, a scotch, and two bottles of champagne.

“I know she doesn’tonlydate women,” Jace said. “But she just broke up with one she was basically married to—and as long as I’ve been able to drive, she’s only dated women.”

I cleared my throat nervously. “Eva?”

“Yes, straight-cis man.” Jace patted my back. “Eva is usually down with the ladies.”

“Oh, shit, well… anyhow, you all are fun.”

I wanted to crawl in a hole and die.

The bartender sent us back with a member of staff to bring the two $300 bottles of bubbly. We carried the other drinks. It felt like a procession—perhaps a march to my social death. I’d gotten so wound up justseeingEva that I’d been silly all night with her. Iflirtedwith this woman. David Delphine didnotjustflirt!He didn’t have to. Women threw themselves at him!

I sat in the only place left—next to Eva—and handed her the scotch.

“I got it,” I said.

She smiled and sipped. “Perfect. Thanks. Drinking champagne isnotmy idea of a good time.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, really. You are still drinking beer?”

“Yup. Is that a knock?”

“Nope. I like the lack of pretension in a man brave enough to both wear that ridiculous watch and chase around a hen party.”

“Ridiculous?”

“That watch is worth more than every car I’ve owned combined. Youwantpeople to notice it, don’t you? If you didn’t, you wouldn’t wear it.”

I examined my watch, supposing she was right. I never considered what it cost. I liked it. I bought it. To average people, that probably wasn’t the case.