“There they are,” Gabe said as he peered over the railing.
We all glanced down to see a staff member leading them through the crowd toward the stairs. When they reached the top, Lucas made a beeline right for Callie—you’d think they hadn’t seen each other in ten years.
“Brother,” I heard Haley say as she approached.
“Hey, kid.” I draped my arm over her shoulder. “Been having fun?”
“Yeah,” she said with a grin. “Callie, Grace, and Morgan know how to have a good time.”
I noticed the lack of her mentioning another name, but she got distracted before I could ask about it. I saw her looking oddly at someone, and I tried to follow her line of vision, but Loralei stepped in front of me, abruptly blocking my view.
“Hey, you,” she cooed.
“Hey.” I dropped my arm away from my sister and slipped my other one around Loralei’s waist. “How were the last few days?”
“They were fine. I’m glad we’re with you guys now, though.”
Haley scoffed beside me through a laugh before walking away.
I greeted Grace while Loralei stepped away to say hello to the other guys. As some of the others dispersed and started to sit on the velvet sofa lining the VIP section, I finally met Morgan’s gaze.
We stared at one another for a moment before I took a few steps towards her. “Hey.”
Morgan offered a smile, albeit small. “Hi.”
“Glad to see you actually joined us,” I quipped, earning another small smile from her. I was so used to her not showing up back home that I half-expected her not to come. “How’d your side of the trip go?”
“Good.” She nodded. “Callie seemed to enjoy herself. How was yours?”
“I’d say it was a success,” I replied. “And thank you…for letting Lora tag along.”
“Yeah, uh…no problem,” she said with a nod. “She was adelight.”
I swore her voice held a hint of sarcasm, but I couldn’t tell over the loud music.
An awkward silence fell between us as we continued to stare at each other until Loralei pulled me out of my daze and tugged my hand. “I need a drink!” she hollered over the music.
I gave Morgan one last glance before I was pulled away.
Chapter 50
I’d hada knot in my stomach most of the day, knowing I was going to see Wes that night.
That knot twisted tighter as I watched him get pulled away by Loralei. I thought seeing them together would have gottenslightlyeasier after three months, but I was wrong.
I didn’t watch them much longer before Lucas stepped in front of me. “Thanks for giving Callie such an amazing last few days,” he said with a grin before pulling me into a hug.
“It wasn’t all me.” I smiled as we drew back. “And here, this is for you.” I handed him a long gift bag I was holding, and his brows furrowed as he dipped his hand inside and pulled out a unique-looking bottle. “It’s some kind of whiskey made right here in Monte Carlo. I got it at some hole-in-the-wall shop downtown. Full transparency…the place looked a little shady, and whatever is in that bottle smells potent as fuck, so drink it with caution.”
Lucas let out a rumbled laugh. “You didn’t need to get me some shady, potentially lethal whiskey, but I appreciate it.”
I smirked. “We could always give it to someoneelseto try first.”
Lucas snorted and hugged me again. “Thank you.”
After ordering some drinks, Grace, Callie, and Haley dragged me down the stairs from our VIP section and onto the dance floor of the club. After forty-five minutes, we were all starting to sweat and ready for another drink.
“I need some fresh air!” I shouted over the music to the other three. “I’ll meet you back upstairs?” The girls nodded, and we split off.
