“My fault. I was standing too close. Are you Sin?” His tone was curious as he narrowed his eyes at me. He seemed oblivious to the fact I was staring at him, practically with my mouth open. 

Swallowing to compose myself, I responded, “Yes, can I help you?” Then snatched my hand back quickly. He looked down at the movement, wrinkling his eyebrows with disappointment. Apparently, he was not as unaware as I hoped. 

He met my eyes again and smiled sheepishly, forming two soft dimples in his cheeks. Raising the cups higher, where I could see my name marked on the side, he said, “I accidentally grabbed your drinks instead of mine.”

“Oh. Thanks.” I reached back out to take them from him, careful not to touch him this time. He kept his grip as he appraised me. It took an incredible amount of effort to not squirm uncomfortably as his gaze roamed over me. What had I just told Katie about her appearance? A hypocrite, me? Never.

“That’s an interesting name you have there,” he made it sound like a question. 

I grimaced as I realized what he had called out. The girls’ sense of humor was going to be the death of me. “It’s a… nickname. Kind of.”

“Sounds like you got it doing something fun.” He smirked.

I felt the heat creep up my face.  That’s it. I was going to strangle them both after this.  “Not particularly,” I replied. I looked over my shoulder to find where Katie had wandered, so I could plot my escape. She was sitting on a barstool now, chatting alone with her admirer. Jessie and the other two boys had meandered away to chat, or possibly grope each other.  

“You know her?” The beautiful stranger was peering over me to watch Katie. I looked down and noticed he was still holding onto my cups. 

“Yes,” I said bluntly. Taking a step back from him, I pulled our drinks gently away.  I held the cups up at him and said, “Thanks.” Then turned and walked away before he could ask anything else. I could feel him watching me as I hurried toward Katie. Ignoring the desire to look over my shoulder, I shook my head at myself. What the hell is going on with me? I don’t stare at strange men. I needed to put space between us before I did something embarrassing. Or rather, more embarrassing than the gawking and fondling of him I’d already managed.  Being so close to Katie and Jessie this much in one day was really affecting me.