7. Gavin

SEVEN

gavin

I LET OUT a low whistle as I stepped out of the limo dropping us off at Chelsea Piers Saturday night. It was clear which mega-yacht was our destination—the one Archer Carrington’s company had rented out for the evening was the largest one by far, lit up in purple lights, and already boasting a huge crowd on all four levels, popping bottles of champagne and dancing to the music that pulsed through the air.

“Now this is why you date an older man,” I said, buttoning my suit jacket. “Preston had the right idea.”

“So we need to watch out for you hitting on our dads now, is that what you’re saying?” West smirked as he linked his fingers through his boyfriend JT’s.

“Don’t worry,” I said as my eyes drifted to the limo, where Daire was climbing out. “I only like older guys within a five-year range, not twenty. Your dad’s safe from me.”

“Thank God for that. I’d hate to have to kill you.”

Daire brushed by me, heading down the pier, and I couldn’t help but watch his broad shoulders as he walked away. It wasn’t often Daire dressed up in a suit, but there was a strict dress code for the event tonight. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, since he’d been a tight-lipped jerk yesterday, Daire looked good. Really, really good.

No point in telling him that. He’d only flip me off for “watching him.”

My attempt at an icebreaker had failed miserably. If anything, it had only served to make things even frostier between us.

Let’s hope we didn’t go down tonight like the Titanic.

“Hey!” Preston’s voice carried from where he stood on the other side of the ramp with an iPad in hand. “About time you guys showed up. We were about to leave without you.”

“Oh please, we are the party,” East said, stepping on board the yacht first. “Well, all of us except Daire.”

Daire eyed East and then the rail, and for a second I wondered if he was going to toss his ass over it.

Deciding to save East’s ass, I stepped in between them. “What he meant to say is ‘cool party, where are the martinis?’”

Preston gestured to East. “Go straight⁠—”

“Is that even possible for East?” Travis murmured, and Preston scoffed.

“—and the main bar has an overflow of olives just for you.” Preston shot him a wink. “You’re welcome.”

As East led the group off towards the bar, Preston leaned in to me and Daire and grinned. “But if you want the real good stuff, it’s up a level.”

“Thanks for the heads-up,” I said.

“Of course. I’m going to go find Archer and let him know that everyone’s on board and we can get moving, but I’ll come find you later.”

“Sounds good.”

Preston gave us a quick wave then headed off to track down his boyfriend. Despite their massive age gap, they seemed to be weathering things better than expected, especially now that Preston had joined the team at his boyfriend’s company, CTA—Carrington Talent Agency.

“So, want to go get a drink?” I said when it was clear Daire wasn’t about to offer. His shrug was about as good a confirmation as I was going to get, and as I led us up a floor, I could’ve sworn I felt his eyes on me.

The yacht had just set sail as we made it to the bar, and when the bartender stopped in front of us, Daire shocked the shit of me by ordering “two shots of your best tequila and a gin and dubonnet.”

Daire knows what I drink? Huh, guess I’m not the only one who watches.

I wasn’t going to call him out, though. He’d only get defensive, and that would get us nowhere.

“So,” I said as the bartender slid our drinks to us. “What did Preston bribe you with to get you in that suit?”

Daire smirked. “Not Preston. Archer.” He opened his suit jacket, where a couple of Cuban cigars were neatly stashed in his inner pocket.

I laughed, despite myself. “Archer gave you those?”

“Yep. Hell, maybe I should be the one dating an older guy.”

When I scrunched up my nose, Daire noticed.

“What?”

“I don’t see you dating an older guy.”

He waited for a reason, then, when I didn’t answer, added, “Because?”

“You’re a little too alpha for that.”

“Probably.” Daire threw back one of his shots, and my gaze fell to the way his Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed. I had the insane thought of wondering what his tanned skin would feel like under my lips. “Do you like that?”

I blinked, dragging my eyes back up to Daire’s, confused by the question. “Do I like the idea of dating an older guy?”

Daire shook his head and reached for his second shot. “Forget it.”

I shrugged, then turned to face the dance floor where people had started to gather, the music throbbing through the speakers in time with the flashing lights. As the song mixed into a faster one, I felt the urge to go join in.

“I love this song.” I took a long draw of my drink, my hips already swaying. Daire watched me, a silent but overwhelming presence as he rested an elbow on the bar. Something about him made me want to grab him by the lapels and drag him out onto the dance floor.

Maybe I’d ask first.

“Want to join me?” I said, inclining my head toward the crowd.

“No.”

Even though I’d known that would be the answer, the immediate rejection still stung. “Why not?”

“You know I don’t dance.”

“Oh, come on, you can make an exception.”

“I said no,” he snapped.

I held a palm up. “Okay. Then excuse me while I go find someone who will.”

Jesus, I was in a constant state of whiplash dealing with this guy. One minute he was hot, then he was cold. I never knew where I stood. But for now, I was happy to go and stand somewhere else.

I DIDN’T KNOW how long I’d been out on the dance floor. An hour? Two? And never left wanting for a partner, even as Daire brooded near the bow of the boat. I’d catch myself looking his way every now and then to see him staring out into the city lights as the yacht sailed up the river. It didn’t surprise me he’d chosen a spot away from the rest of the crowd—that was the way he liked it. A lone island, even in a sea of people. That was Daire.

It’d always fascinated me, that someone as closed off and uncaring of status or social climbing as he had ended up in our crowd. In all fairness, he’d been part of the group even before I came along. But when I did finally show up, I’d felt a strange sort of solidarity with the introvert of the group. Neither of us had really fit in. We were just there because of circumstances, even if I didn’t know what his were.

But whatever kinship I’d had with him felt strained now. I was trying to move on, though. I’d tried to offer an olive branch yesterday, but in usual Daire fashion, he’d snapped it clean in half and continued to do so every time I made an effort.

He was such an ass.

“Excuse me.”

I turned to see a gorgeous guy in a perfectly fitted tux with sparkling green eyes glittering at me.

“Hi. I hope I’m not interrupting, but I saw you standing over here and have been waiting for you to finish that glass so I could maybe offer to get you a new one.”

“Oh.” I looked at my now-empty cocktail glass. I hadn’t even realized I’d been drinking it while looking over at⁠—

“I’m Trevor.” He held out a hand, a wide smile making a dimple flash at me, and my brain might’ve melted.

“Hi, um, I’m Gavin.” I slipped my hand into his, and as his fingers closed around mine, I swallowed.

“So, Gavin, can I get you that drink?”

Hell yes, you can.But I played it cool. “That would be great, thanks.”

“Don’t go anywhere.” He winked before heading off through the crowd, and I shivered. It was still a little chilly out on the water, but the alcohol would warm me up in no time. Or maybe Trevor could. Because damn, he was hot, and somehow I’d gotten his attention.

“Here you go,” he said, handing me another fruity concoction. “The waiter called it a Sex on a Yacht, which I’m assuming is a take on a Sex on the Beach.”

“Well, that’s one way to break the ice.” I gave him a flirty smile and lowered my mouth over my drink. “But I barely know you.”

Trevor’s eyes instantly heated, and he shook his head. “I’m an open book. Tell me what you want to know, and I’ll give it to you.”

Now that was what I wanted to hear. This night was going to more than make up for the past few shitty months, I could feel it.

“Hmm.” I swirled the contents of my glass with my straw. “You could start by telling me how you scored an invite tonight.”

“Easy enough. I’m a client of Archer’s. You?”

“He’s dating a friend of mine.”

“Oh, you’re one of those Park Avenue guys.” When I raised a brow, he said, “I heard all about what went down when another agency tried to poach me after the scandal.”

Damn, we got around. Not exactly surprising, since I knew our pictures showed up in the gossip sections of New York newspapers, but this guy being a client of CTA, the top theatrical agency in the country, meant he had to be good at what he did. Archer’s reputation proved he was selective as hell.

I glanced around at the hundreds of people on every level of the yacht and smirked. “Yeah, it doesn’t look like Archer choosing to be with Preston has affected his clientele.”

“Hell no. He’s the best. Scored me a back-end percentage on my last movie, which is practically unheard of. Like I care who he’s dating.”

My ears perked up. “So you’re an actor?” When he nodded, I tilted my head, looking him over again for any sign of familiarity. “What have I seen you in?”

“Closeout. Hiding in the Shadows. But my big break was a show I’ve been doing down in Wilmington for the past few years. Half-Moon Bay.”

Oh shit.Those were all titles I’d heard of, but considering I didn’t watch much TV, I hadn’t seen him on there. That would need to change. ASAP.

“I didn’t know I was talking to a movie star, Trevor. What are you doing bringing me drinks?” I teased.

He laughed and ran his hand through his wind-swept hair. “Hoping to get a date?”

“Well, I don’t know. That depends…”

“On?”

I threw back the rest of my drink and set the empty glass aside. “On how good you are on the dance floor.”

A sexy smile curved his lips as I grabbed the lapel of his jacket and pulled him toward where others had gathered to dance in front of the DJ. With a buzz starting to flood through me, and the attention of a Hollywood heartthrob directed on me, I was feeling so good I couldn’t remember why I hadn’t been lately.

As I danced, I threw my head back and stared up at the twinkling stars, feeling free.

Free of judgment.

Free of anything other than this moment right here.

Trevor wound an arm around my waist and pulled me in close, and as he spun me around, a burst of laughter left me. Then my eyes caught on the lone figure standing off to the side.

Daire was exactly where he had been earlier, but instead of facing away from the crowd, he was now staring right into it. Or, should I say, staring right at me.

He had a drink in one hand and one of the cigars in the other, and the scowl on his face was the complete opposite of the smile on mine. I had no idea what could’ve put it there. He was on one of the most spectacular yachts I’d ever seen, sailing down the Hudson River, and still he couldn’t seem to find any kind of joy.

Oh well—he didn’t want me watching him, talking to him, having anything to do with him, so that was on him. I was determined to have a good time, and not even Daire and his scowl could ruin that.