From the corner of my eye, I see Ingrid making her way straight toward us through the throngs of people.I hope she hasn’t come for more flirting.I couldn’t possibly do that in front of Nic.
She just gives us a tired smile and addresses Ben and Derek.“Leslie has requested the pleasure of your exquisite company.”Ingrid’s voice is suddenly full of glee.
“She’s queen for the day,” Ben says.“And we must obey our queen.”
Derek touches his hand to Nic’s elbow.“Are you okay, darling?”
Nic nods.“Of course.”
“Don’t go anywhere, you.”Ben points at me before turning away and following Ingrid.
“Are you really all right, Nic?”I have to ask.
“I am…” She shrugs.“Ben’s right.I’ve had too much to drink.My sister—” She doesn’t finish her sentence, but just shakes her head, as though her state of inebriation is all Leslie’s fault.
“Here.”I hand her my half-full glass of water.“Start with this.”Her finger lingers on mine as she briefly rests her gaze on me.“Let’s find you a place to sit,” I say, my voice suddenly wobbly.
“Avery, um…” It’s as though her finger is glued to mine.I never want her to take it away.
“Should I drive you home?Make sure you’re okay?”
Nic’s eyes grow wide.“You can’t drive me home.”
“Of course, I can.I have a car.I’m an excellent driver, and I’ve only drunk water.”
“You know what I mean.”Abruptly, she lifts the glass to her lips and my hand free-falls through the air.
“I do, Nic, but it’s okay.It’s just a lift home.That’s really all it is.I’m not befriending you.I’m just being courteous.”
Nic shakes her head.“I can’t possibly accept your ride.I might be tipsy, but I’m not that far gone.”She drains the last of my water.
“Sure.”I take the empty glass from her, hoping for another impromptu touch of our fingers, but all I feel is cold, hard glass.“Let me at least make sure you’re sitting comfortably.”
“As you wish.”Nic chuckles.
“Can I?”I ask before I touch her elbow.
She gives me the smallest of nods.As we walk toward a couple of empty chairs on the edge of the patio, I let my hand slide down until my fingers curl around her wrist.A bolt of pure electricity courses through me.
As we reach the chairs, Nic seems slightly out of breath, as though we ran here instead of cautiously strolling over.I see how she slowly swallows something out of her throat.
“Maybe you should take me home,” Nic says.
“Okay.”It would be my utmost fucking pleasure, I think, my mind whirring and my heart doing somersaults in my chest, as I guide us toward the valet station.
Chapter12
Nic
I shouldn’t be in this car.I shouldn’t have let her touch my elbow.I should have walked away as soon as Avery joined the guys and me.I could blame Ben, but he doesn’t know that Avery’s my client.He was—simply and very understandably—just as enthralled with Avery as everyone else was.But he’s not in this snazzy electric Porsche with her.
At least she’s not like Lois when it comes to driving.She’s focused on traffic and in full command of her vehicle.I text Leslie and Derek to let them know I’ve left, profusely apologizing for not saying goodbye, and assuring them I will make it up to them very soon.
Avery glances sideways at me.“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”It’s hard not to stare at her toned upper arms as she drives.Being behind the wheel takes away some of her glam but—deliciously—replaces it with some sort of androgynous charm that’s making me lose my mind even more.Because I have lost my mind.Even though nothing has happened, being in this car could cost me everything.
She pushes a button on the dashboard and music starts to play at a low volume.
