Lysander was pretty sure that the reason he'd been invited to this low-key intimate New Years shindig by Brax was because he (or Mal) wanted to set him up with her bestie Tessa. Lysander knew who she was of course, even though he didn't listen to country music at all. She topped the charts, blurring that line between country and pop. She was also completely beautiful.
Which was in full focus tonight in her chosen ensemble, which showed off her curves and her cool gazes and dismissal of so many young men trying to get her attention only made her more attractive to Lysander. But he also wasn't going to play into Brax and his romantic girlfriend's hand. He liked being single. Beholden to no one, no one to disappoint, no one to make him worry if they only cared about his money fame. It was easier that way.
But it became harder and harder to remember that as the evening wore on and his eyes kept being drawn back to the shapely blonde. However he was able to not get caught checking her out and so didn't notice when her eyes drifted to him. He was polite, but disinterested to any of the other women at the party as he continued to sip at the mixed drink he kept refilling. It was some 'signature' cocktail Mal had created and was strong and delicious. Which was absolutely making him less and less aware of how complicated he could make his life if he gave into the desire to go talk to Tessa.
He had just gotten a refill (he'd lost count but wasn't drunk) and was crossing the room to where Brax was with Mal when he passed behind the sofa Tessa was sitting on and caught her telling some man he was getting on her nerves. It made him pause for a moment as the man muttered something unflattering and took the not-so-subtle hint and left the sofa. It was the first time she was alone and Lysander couldn't resist taking the vacated spot.
"Its exhausting isn't it?" he said as he took a sip of his own drink, settling into the corner of the couch. "They try so hard to impress you. Its so fake and unsettling and then you're left trying not to rude but they can't take a bloody hint that they're no where near your level." The musician chuckled to himself.
"It's like having standards means you're an asshole." Lysander shrugged. "Or just not being interested in a reflection on you."