Tangled Up In You (Rogue #1)

Chapter 5

5

SOPHIE

“ B ut what do you think he really meant?” Sophie asked Felicity as they walked arm in arm.

“I swear, Sophie, if you ask me one more time what Gavin bloody McManus meant by telling you that you’re ‘lovely’ two days ago , I’ll push you into the Liffey. I swear I will.”

Sophie laughed off her friend’s “threat,” once more enjoying Felicity’s darker sense of humor. They were as different as two girls could be but that was exactly what they each appreciated about the other.

They were on their way to The Basement, the same club Gavin mentioned and Sophie was excited to dress in something other than her school uniform. She secretly hoped her low-rise Capri jeans, pale green silk and lace capped-sleeve crop top, and wedge-heel gold sandals would catch Gavin’s eye. Especially because it was far colder here than she was used to. Otherwise, she was shivering for nothing.

“Also,” Felicity said, coming to an abrupt stop and facing her, “you do know that Mary will probably be there?”

“I, uh, yeah.” Sophie shook her head. “You’re right. I need to focus on something else.”

Felicity slipped her arm through Sophie’s again as they resumed walking. “Or someone else to make the bastard jealous!” she said, and they laughed.

The club wasn’t anything special. Just a space with a small stage where a DJ was set up, a smattering of cocktail tables in the main area, and booths along the walls except where a long bar dominated. But it was crowded.

Sophie and Felicity were immediately swallowed up by the crowd. People were dancing and singing along to the chorus of “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus, and it didn’t take long before the girls succumbed to the energy and joined in, laughing and throwing up their hands.

“Definitely not your song,” a voice murmured in Sophie’s ear. She whipped around to find Gavin behind her.

She laughed, caught up in the vibe of the club scene and in good spirits. “Then what is my song?” she asked.

His eyes held hers for a long moment before falling over her body. “Darlin’, you are a song.”

Sophie’s cheeks grew warm, and she tried to hold back a smile as she looked up at him from under her lashes.

“Jesus, how have I never noticed how green your eyes are before?” He stepped even closer and bent so he was at eye level with her.

“Oh, they’re hazel but they turn if I’m wearing anything green,” she said.

“I could get lost in those eyes.”

Just then, the DJ called for everyone to “make some noise” and the club was flooded with house lights. Gavin was close enough to kiss her and she tingled in anticipation but the moment was lost with the change in song.

To make matters worse, Felicity asked, “Is your Mary here tonight, then?”

Gavin reluctantly tore his gaze away from Sophie. “And where’s your man?” he snapped right back at her.

Sophie watched her friend give Gavin a withering look. Some tension passed between them that she didn’t understand. And then it was over as quickly as it started.

“I’m just messing,” he insisted and threw an arm around Felicity’s shoulders. “Let’s get a drink while O’Leary’s cousin is still at the bar.”

Sophie had tried sips of beer or wine before but the half pint of Guinness she drank that night was her first full beer. It, combined with the heat from all the bodies in the club, made her giddy and lightheaded. It almost felt as if she were floating on the music as the DJ made transitions from Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady'' to “My Heart Goes Boom” by French Affair. The only thing to bring her down was when Mary joined their group and threw her arm around Gavin’s neck. The way he scowled and pulled away, suggested he wasn’t exactly happy to see her. Still it was a reminder to Sophie that she had no right to flirt with him.

“Come to the ladies’ with me?” Felicity said.

“No, I’m okay,” Sophie said, swaying to the music.

“I may or may not see you before closing, depending on the queue.”

Sophie laughed and watched her friend get lost in the crowd before letting the music carry her away again.

“You all right, Sophie?” Conor asked.

She looked up at him, trying to remember when he’d arrived. The place was crowded but everyone seemed to know everyone else. Or at least, Gavin seemed to know everyone. He’d introduced her to what seemed like dozens of people, but everything was a blur. A Guinness-induced blur.

“Oh, hi,” she said.

The music segued from upbeat “Music” by Madonna to Coldplay’s “Yellow.” There was a mixed chorus of cheers and boos, but it got the crowd excited enough that she was pushed toward Conor. He grabbed her around her waist, his hands warm against her bare skin.

“Dance with me, then?” he said.

She’d had her hands pressed against his chest but moved them around his neck so they could sway to the song. He was tall and gorgeous and looked at her like she was everything he wanted.

But he wasn’t the one she wanted.

When she saw the way he was watching her with a hint of a smile, his eyes drifting from her eyes to her mouth and back again, she knew she had to pull away. But before she could, he was yanked away by an arm thrown around his neck.

It was Gavin.

“Hey, Con, last call for us. Let’s get to the bar before we lose our chance.”

Conor hesitated but Gavin pulled on his arm and Conor shrugged helplessly at Sophie and let himself be led away.

She could tell that Gavin meant to separate her from his friend. He was obviously trying to make sure she didn’t get too close to anyone else. She would have been pleased with this bit of possessiveness if Mary wasn’t following after him toward the bar.