“Why does he trust Trick’s little sister?”
“Ash is kind of the girl version of Trick. Super charming and funny. But also super loyal and fearless. I guess she had Trick teach her to fire a gun, and she’s a natural. They think it must be genetic.”
I, of course, know all about Ash being comfortable with guns. A girl version of Trick is too much.I’ddate a girl version of Trick.
“They call her Baby G. The G is for gunslinger,” Rachel says, chuckling. “It’s kind of crazy because she looks so young when she’s playing with Irina.”
Laurel holds up a hand. “Please don’t mention that nickname to anyone, Zoe. It’s not something Trick wants widely known. It’s just a C Crue thing.”
A C Crue thing. As if I’m still in the crue.
When Connor comes outside with my drink, I chug it down and then go get another to have with my steak.
After dinner, Trick and Laurel leave. Sasha goes up to the nursery with the baby to read her a story and see if she’ll fall asleep. I help Rachel clean up, and then assure her I’m fine. I’malready settled into the guest room I always use, so I don’t need anything.
“Let me check on them then. Sasha can’t stand to see Irina cry for him for even a second, so unless she falls asleep while he’s reading, he’ll be walking around that room all night if I don’t step in.”
I chuckle.
“He says, ‘She’ll fall asleep when she’s ready. Then I’ll put her down.’” Rachel laughs. “And I’m like, ‘It’s funny how she’s ready to sleep within five minutes of me putting her in the crib. I must just magically know the exact minute she’s going to crash.’ It’s sweet though. I love him.” Rachel disappears from the kitchen, and I wait exactly thirty seconds before I begin looking for the one C Crue man whose location I don’t know.
I find C in the family room watching a football game. I should resist the temptation to get close to him, but I can’t.
“Hey, C.”
He turns and watches me come into the room and sit on the couch a couple feet from him. “We may have lost Rachel and Sasha for the night,” I say.
“You got some sun today,” he says with a smile.
I put my arm next to his. He’s tan, too, but I’m several shades darker. His thumb grazes the side of my hand, making me shiver.
We talk about Infernal for a few minutes and then about how the production company Rachel and I started is doing. I love when he takes an interest.
“I found us a mentor. This retired dancer who was originally from Coynston came to talk to me after our show here in town. His significant other is a writer and producer. He’s had some hits and a few misses, so he has a lot of experience we can learn from. In fact, I’m staying in their apartment right now andtaking care of their dog when he’s not with the sitter. They’re in California.”
“You didn’t have to do that, Z. You could’ve stayed in the apartment I got for you.”
“Oh, no,” I say softly. “Do you know how hard it was to leave you, C? When we first broke up, there is no way I could’ve handled your dropping by. I was such a wreck.”
He watches me silently.
“Is there anyone else?” I ask, my breath catching at the question. “Someone special that would make it wrong for us to do something tonight? Rachel says you’ve been dating… which, of course…”
I squeeze my fingers into a fist, trying to stay strong, but suddenly unsure of what I’m doing. I’ve never initiated sex with Connor. I never needed to. We had tons of sex, always great, and always initiated by him. I think of the way he was when we were together… always in charge. Suggesting a one night stand is probably the wrong thing to do on a lot of levels.
“Sorry,” I say, standing. “I don’t know what I’m doing. Four gin and tonics.” I shrug, starting to retreat.
C stands, too. “Neither of us is drunk, Zoe.”
“No, I guess not.”
He catches my arm and pulls me to a stop. “Hey.”
“Yes?”
“Show me your room.”
CONNOR
