Love Nouveau Read Online Free PDF

furiously pouring myself another beer, not caring about the two inches of foam on top. On the counter is a colorful rainbow of Jell-O shots, so I quickly grab one and throw my head back, swallowing the citrusy libation whole. Then another.
    And another.
    I wasn’t planning on going on a bender tonight, but after my run-in with Matt it seems as though the universe has other plans for me.
    I spy Rachel and her ‘beau du jour’ in the crowd of people below the porch, their lips locked tightly together as they move to the music. I mentally calm myself with each passing sip of beer and fresh air. The crowd in the backyard is thickening, booming speakers beckoning everyone to dance as a sea of limbs pulsates with the music below me.
    “Well, that was an entertaining performance,” a deep voice says next to me.
    I look to my right and the lickable, green-eyed man from earlier is standing there smiling in all of his golden-haired glory. It should seriously be illegal for anyone to be this good looking. “You know, you should be more careful. I’d hate for a girl like you to get a bad rap,” he says, eyeing me slowly before nudging my shoulder.
    “Girl like me?”
    “Yeah.” He pauses thoughtfully. “Beautiful. Mysterious. Confident. And pissed off.”
    Ah, he must have seen me with Matt. I give him a sly, flirtatious smile. “Don’t worry. He deserved it,” I reply sweetly, my voice void of tension. He seems a little older than the typical college crowd. A grad student, perhaps? Too old to be in classes, but too young to be staying in on a weeknight.
    “Are you graduating?”
    “Nah, I’m just in town from Chicago for a long weekend. This is my younger brother’s place. He’s only twenty and lost his fake ID when he got pulled over with a DUI last month. Since he has no way to hit up the bars without it, he went the old fashioned route with a house party.” He gestures grandly with his hand. “Hence, the soiree, and you existing in my very presence. You’re welcome.” He playfully smirks as his eyes zero in on an athletic, olive-skinned, black-haired sorority girl grinding on one of her girlfriends. His gaze is so intense he’s practically devouring her in his mind. Cocky much?
    An athletic, dark-haired guy walks up and stands on the other side of the blond, interrupting our conversation and my chances of hooking up. His white polo shirt is just tight enough to showcase his muscles, and the faded navy Bermuda shorts look soft, and accentuate his perfect ass. His dark locks hit the ideal length, just before it needs a haircut—long enough to grab in the throes of passion, but not so long it hangs in his eyes. He’s effortlessly attractive in a not so obvious way.
    “Hey, Sully,” the newcomer says, gesturing my neighbor. I take note of his name. It’s unique and I can’t help but assume that it’s a nickname.
    “Nix,” he responds with a tight mouth and subtle nod.
    Our conversation comes to a screeching halt, and the three of us continue to look out over the party. A dirty rap song fills the awkward silence between us.
    “Welp, my work here is done. I’m out.” Sully lazily toasts his glass my direction, his tone instantly bored. “Have fun, kids.”
    The friend glances over his shoulder and slides over to me, filling the space Sully just vacated. A small laugh escapes my breath and I shake my head in disbelief.
    “What?” He eyes me curiously.
    “Wingman?” I question, glancing over my shoulder to look back at Sully, trying to mask my disappointment.
    He gives me a toothy grin worthy of a dozen Boy Scout merit badges. “Something like that.” He reluctantly extends his hand to shake mine. “I’m Phoenix. But everyone calls me Nix.”
    Phoenix. I like that.
    “Ivy,” I respond, shaking his hand firmly. Phoenix’s hand lingers just a beat too long on mine. His fingers are calloused, but his palms are soft.
    “Ivy? Like the plant?”
    “Something like that,” I repeat his words,