Free The One Awakened: Book 1 in The One Trilogy by Alexandra North Page B

clicked; she’d been mauling him for the past hour! However I consider whether this is just in my head as I’m pretty certain that when he thinks I am not looking, his focus is entirely on me – with a serious, rather unfriendly inspection. I’m definitely at a loss.  
    My thoughts are interrupted when my phone alerts me to a text. It’s from Leo.

    Sorry L but I’m not going to make it tonight after all. Work things! Can I take you to dinner next Saturday night?  
    Let me make it up to you. x

    I’d completely forgotten I’d asked him to join us, so I am actually pleased that he’s cancelled. Although I’m slightly annoyed that I won’t be allowed the opportunity to flaunt him in front of Sebastian. I quickly reel off a response, the champagne making me ballsy.

    House Party at my sister’s Saturday night – be my + 1 - let me know if you accept? x
     

    I don’t wait for his reply and just as I auto-lock my phone, a deep voice says casually, “I wouldn’t have stood you up. He’d kick himself if he’d seen you in that dress.”I spin quickly to be met by Sebastian’s mate. Suzie has already informed me is definitely called Chris but I’ve yet to have a one-on-one with the guy. Meg was right - he did look like Gerard Butler, perhaps a little less sexy. I am a bit annoyed that he’s nosied at my text, but choose to ignore the irritation and go with it. I’m not about to add to his obviously inflated opinion of himself and decide to act coy as to, who he is.  
    “Thanks, Chris is it?” I hold out my hand to shake his but am a bit taken aback when he ignores it and leans in towards me, planting a firm kiss on one side of my cheek and then the other; continental style. He lingers a little too long, our faces touching.  
    I could have sworn he just sniffed me? “Sebastian said that you and he went to Uni together Lucia?” he continues, paying a considerable amount of attention to my breasts.“Yes, we did three years together, for our sins – not behind bars but definitely propped up in front of them,” I laugh back at him. He is Ok looking. Not as striking as Sebastian but has a similar dress-style, dark blonde short hair with a Beckham quiff and cool appraising icy-blue eyes.“I’m working on a contract with our Mr. Silver for a few months and just moved in to his spare-room, so hopefully we’ll be seeing much more of each other in the very near future.” His voice is laden with confidence. I’m surprised, as I think he may be flirting, but I try not to show it.  
    “Definitely. We go out most Friday’s to our favourite bar, Rehab, in Bodley so I’ll have to introduce you to some of our friends.”I can see Meg manically trying to catch my eye behind Chris’ back. I lean in closer to him and smile. “In fact I think you may already have an admirer in my neighbour Meg.”  
    He turns to look over his shoulder, and Meg instantly pretends to have dropped something, disappearing under the table. I snigger to myself. God we are all so silly where men are concerned.Chris returns to face me, his eyes sparking. “You do seem to have a good group of mates here. I travel so much with work, it’s hard to catch up regularly with friends so you tend to drift apart. Sebastian and I go way back though and I’m pleased to be able to spend some quality time doing normal things in the same place for a while.”I smile at him and sip at my drink and I’m about to continue, when we are interrupted, by the man, himself.“Christopher – I see you’ve found Lulu.” Seb slaps Chris on the back looks between the two of us and takes a swig of his beer.
    “I most certainly have. I’m pursuing her as we speak.” Chris doesn’t take his eyes off mine but I cannot hold his gaze. I’m left embarrassed, by his over-the-top statement.
    “Are you now?” Sebastian’s furrowed brow is apparent but Chris is oblivious to anyone but himself (a bad habit that I can tell he has developed over years of having