Until she reminded herself that Gabriel still wasn’t here.

And she was still alone.

Layne stared up at the tiki torches lining the pool deck. Small flickers of flame snapped within each. Some boy across the pool had pulled one out of the holder and was using it as a fiery lance to jab at his friends.

“Idiot,” she muttered.

“He is an idiot,” said a voice behind her. “He still thinks he’s in middle school.”

Her head snapped around, her heart begging for it to be Gabriel, though her brain knew that wasn’t his voice.

It was a guy, though, someone she vaguely recognized, though she couldn’t place him. Not cute, but good-looking in that stocky jock way, the kind of guy who’d probably be smashing beer cans into his forehead in college. Dark hair, close cropped, with rounded features. It was too dark to make out the color of his eyes.

He nodded at the kid across the pool, who was now swinging the tiki torch like a sword. “I’d bet money he’s quoting one of the Star Wars movies right now.”

That made her smile. “ ‘Luke,’ ” she intoned. “ ‘I am your father. ’ ”

He grinned back. The firelight caught his eyes and made them shine. “A girl who knows her Lucas.”

She shrugged, feeling her cheeks warm. “I have a brother. That’s the only line I know.”

He gestured at the chaise lounge beside her. “Is anyone sitting here?”

Her cheeks burned hotter, and she hoped he couldn’t tell. “No. Plenty of room.”

Ugh. Why did she say that?

But he sat, and he didn’t smell like alcohol or smoke like most of the people at the party. “Who’s your brother?” he said, casting a look around. “Is he here?”

She snorted with laughter before covering it with a cough. The only thing more awkward than herself at a party would be Simon at one. “No. He’s a freshman. He plays basketball, but he’s on JV.”

“Yeah?” His expression brightened. “I’m on JV. What’s his name?”

She hesitated, wondering how this would play out. “Simon Forrest.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Simon is your brother?”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

He smiled and looked away. “Nothing. Simon’s all right.” Then he glanced back, a wolfish look on his face. His voice was kind of dark, kind of intriguing. “I’m just surprised he has a hot sister.”

Yeah, her face was on fire. “I’m sure he’d be surprised to hear that, too.”

“Enough about him. What’s your name?”

He seemed closer suddenly, and she could feel sweat on her neck under the spill of hair. He hadn’t mocked Simon, and she’d been prepared for it. Simon’s all right. He’d dropped the words easily. Maybe her brother was starting to build a niche for himself.

Maybe it was okay that Gabriel hadn’t shown up.