“We were burning one of his paintings.”
Asher frowns. “Painting of what?”
“For Graham’s senior show he showcased the human form. The naked human form. Mine and many others. Out on display for all to see.”
Asher nearly chokes on his champagne. “You’re telling me there was a painting of you naked and we burned it?”
“Yep. You couldn’t see my face, but I knew it was me. I totally freaked out at the show. I didn’t have enough money to buy it so I called Annica and Dani, and then Wes. The four of us scrounged up enough and I took it home that night and we lit it on fire.”
“Huh,” he says, considering. “What a shame. I bet that would be worth a lot of money someday.”
“Well, it’s not about the money; it’s about my dignity,” I say. “My virtue.”
“Because you have plenty of that,” he murmurs.
I resist the urge to hit him again. “Imagine someone taking a naked picture of you and posting it everywhere. How would that feel?”
“Feels like I’d become very popular.” He smirks, and I get a flutter in my lower stomach at the thought of him naked.
“Well, I didn’t like it. Not to mention there were like twenty other naked bodies in his opening, so I wasn’t even special.” Ishake my head at the thought. I’ve never felt more exposed or embarrassed in my life. Which is saying a lot after dating Bryce.
“Hey, lovebirds.” Ty comes up, interrupting. “We’re all invited to Graham’s after-party when the opening is over. I think me and Austin are going to leave now to grab a bite and freshen up, maybe change into something else. Want to come?”
I hesitantly look over at Asher. Miles is gone, but who’s to say he won’t come back? Though I guess there’s not much he can do in a gallery full of people, and if he was smart he’d be hightailing it back to Ivy Gate right now.
“Okay,” I say. “Yeah.”
We pile into an Uber with Ty, Austin, and Graham’s brother.
“This is Laken. He’s catching a ride with us,” Austin says. When the car pulls up Laken sits up front, which leaves us four for the back.
“And you didn’t call an XL?” I ask.
“Just sit on your boyfriend’s lap.” Austin waves a hand like it’s no big deal. Which for any other real couple it wouldn’t be.
Asher puts me on his lap and I do my best to sit upright to not touch him any more than I have to, but in the city traffic, the car feels like it’s not even moving. I give in and lean my back and head against his chest, and I hear him take in a long breath like he’s savoring the scent of me. His hands around my waist tighten and I know we’re both thinking of the hot tub and that damn Nervous game.
I debate asking Ty where she’s staying tonight and if I can join her, but the way she and Graham’s brother are getting on I feel she may already have someone sharing her bed.
We stop at a pizza place for an hour or so to eat.
“Where are you guys staying?” Ty asks me.
“The Four Seasons,” I reply.
“Rub it in, why don’t you,” Austin says. “We’re cramming four people into Graham’s studio apartment. His stove is next to his bed. When he cooked for us this morning the bacon grease was literally hitting me in the face. It just wasn’t what I meant when I said I wanted breakfast in bed.”
“We have room for two more,” I offer.
“No we don’t,” Asher says, giving me a look. I know that look.
“We do,” I say again.
“I’m not opposed,” Ty says. “We can stop at Graham’s to change and go to the hotel to freshen up and pregame.”
I smile. “Great idea.”
Ty whistles at the room. “You’re right, I think we could all fit in here. And then some.” She heads for the bathroom and Austin goes to the minibar.
