"Oh." The poor woman's face fell and she hastily said her goodbyes.
"Bye," he called out after her.
"Wow, Dylan has a girlfriend?" Amber asked.
"Yes," he answered, finally extracting his hand from Amber's grip.
"They're serious?"
"Yes."
"I thought Dylan wasn't into relationships?"
He shrugged. "He's a changed man."
Amber leaned closer to him, her breast brushing his arm. "What about you, Trey?"
He laughed out loud. "I'm a dyed-in-the-wool bachelor."
"That's a real shame, Trey," she whispered in his ear as she ran a finger along his jaw.
He shifted to put some space between them. Amber was giving him no choice but to deploy his ultimate weapon to discourage her unwanted attention: Tell her bluntly that he was no longer interested in anything with her. There had been more than a few incidents in the past where he'd been too polite and gentlemanly, only for women to end up sobbing their eyes out because he didn't put a stop to their fantasies—or misapprehension—early enough.
"Amber, I want to be clear. We had a great time together but I have no interest whatsoever in sleeping with you again."
Amber's jaw dropped in surprise. "Why not?" she asked with a hint of incredulity.
"I just told you. I'm not into anything but casual."
"But I'm still happy to continue seeing you on that basis." Amber's hand moved back to his thigh, higher this time. "And right now, I feel like dancing," she said seductively.
"Hi, Amber," someone said.
Trey looked up to see that Adam was back with Sam and Kris. He froze, feeling like a kid who'd just been caught doing something wrong.
"Hi, Adam," Amber said cheerfully, leaning against Trey possessively.
Trey snapped out of his shock—or trance—or whatever that strange reaction was—and stood up to escape Amber's covetous paws.
"We could find another couch to sit on if you want some privacy," Adam teased, oblivious to his tension. No doubt Adam thought he was doing him a favour.
"Don't be ridiculous, Adam. I'm glad you guys are back. I was starting to feel lonely here," he said with a knowing look to his friend. "But Amber wants to dance."
"Oh. Right," Adam responded, understanding dawning in his eyes. "Well then, Kris and Sam can entertain you while I dance with Amber." Adam pulled Amber up from her sitting position, not giving her a chance to decline his invitation.
As Amber reluctantly followed Adam to the dance floor, Trey grinned gratefully at his best pal, who gave him a wink. He let himself relax as he sat back on the couch next to Kris, who was having a whispered conversation with Sam.
"Trey," Kris said, turning to him. "Can I ask a very personal question?"
"Sure."
"Do you always carry a condom with you?"
He gazed at her for a beat, aware of how his heart had started to gallop in his chest. "As a matter of fact, I do. Why do you ask?"
"And it's for, err, unexpected situations, right?"
"Yes," he confirmed slowly. Where was she going with this?
"See?" Kris said to Sam, as if she'd made her point.
Sam sighed and rolled her eyes at her cousin.
"Trey, what do you think of that blond guy in a black shirt getting some drinks at the bar?" Sam asked.
He followed Sam's line of vision and spotted the man amidst the throng of people waiting to be served.
"He looks all right," he said cautiously, not exactly knowing why Sam wanted his opinion. He could only assume Sam was interested.
"Do you think he's decent?" Sam pressed. "I mean, can you tell just by looking at him?"
"Hard to tell. A guy can be well dressed and still be an asshole. You won't know until you talk to him."
Kris nodded her head in agreement.
"Well, the most important question is, does he come prepared for unexpected situations?" Sam muttered.
He grinned. "If he didn't, I could give him my condom."
"Then what are you going to use?" Kris asked—rather sourly, he thought. "Oh, I forgot. You just live around here. You must have a box stashed at home," she added.
"I still think it's a bad idea, Kris," Sam said with a disapproving look.
"Relax, Sam," Kris said, patting Sam's hand. "I'm just going to accept a drink from the guy then we'll have a conversation. Right here in front of you. You can help me suss him out since you're so worried."
Trey's eyebrows lifted. What?! It dawned on him that Kris was the one interested. For a fling, he supposed.
"Fine," Sam said resignedly and turned to him. "Can you help check that guy out, Trey? Kris told me you've agreed to help her find a decent man she could have a fling with."