“Fuck, word travels fast,” Louis says as Wyatt, the rookie, offers us glasses and bourbon.
“We have a group chat.” Callan smirks. “He’s been bitching about it all day.”
“I wasn’t bitching,” Patterson says.
“You sent fourteen messages about how he caught you off guard,” Wyatt adds.
“Seriously?” Patterson shakes his head.
Louis reaches for the bottle of bourbon on the table and pours himself a glass. “To be fair, Ididcatch him off guard. That’s the point of self-defense, isn’t it?”
“Come on, Princey,” Smiley says. “Cross made it sound like you were about to drop him MMA-style.”
“I was.” Louis takes a sip. “I had been trained to fight from the time I could walk. Kidnapping prevention.”
“That’s fucking insane,” Callan says.
“That’s a Tuesday for me.”
The conversation flows easier after that. Smiley tells a story about Patterson’s rookie year that makes me nearly spit out my drink while Callan and Wyatt argue about a play from last week. Patterson defends himself with creative profanity, but he seems in high spirits. Or maybe he’s drunk.
Kendall catches my eye across the table and mouths,He’s hot, while tilting her head toward Louis.
I mouth back,I know, and she grins.
Louis’s hand finds my thigh under the table, and his fingers press into my skin. To anyone watching, we’re just sitting close, but underneath the table, he’s teasing me.
I shoot him a look.
He takes a sip of his drink with an innocent expression.
“Just wait until later,” I mutter, leaning close so only he can hear.
“I’m counting on it.”
I grab his wrist and hold it still before his fingers can travel any higher. He lets me hold it for a moment before turning his hand over and interlacing his fingers with mine. His brushes across my knuckles, and even that simple touch sends heat through me.
Kendall stands. “Excuse me. I need to visit the ladies’ room. Addison?”
“Oh, sure.”
She’s already pulling me out of the booth. “Excuse us.”
When I glance back, he’s watching me walk away with sparkling eyes.
The bathroom at Diamond is nice with marble counters, cloth hand towels, and lighting designed to make everyone look good. Kendall checks under the stall doors before spinning on me.
“Tell meeverything. I know the headlines. I want therealversion.” She leans against the counter and grins. “How’s the sex?”
“Incredible. The absolute best. Louis is …” All I can do is shake my head. “I’m convinced he’s the love of my life.”
“Wow.” Her expression softens, and she grabs my hands. “You seem so happy, and that makes me so happy. You deserve this, Addy. I know it hasn’t been easy, but it will be worth it.”
“I hope so. I’m just so scared we’ll be torn apart.”
“No. Louis doesn’t look like he’s going to let you go for anyone or anything. I can see the spark.” She squeezes my hands. “Now let’s get back before your prince sends a search party.”
When we return, Louis is laughing at something Smiley said, and he looks comfortable. When he sees me, his eyes track my movement across the room, and the laughter fades into admiration.
