“How about you and I go home?” I ask Sloan. “Before you say anything else you might regret?” My gaze finds Jack. “Ordosomething you might regret.”
She nods. “Yeah. He looks good tonight.”
Jack is a good-looking guy, there’s no question about that.
“And he’snothere withMeg,” Sloan says, pointing at Harlow.
Harlow holds her hands up. “Good point. But maybe you should leave before he needs someone to kiss at midnight.”
Sloan moans. “I donotwant to watch him kiss anyone.”
Harlow laughs. “I was more worried thatyouwould go kiss him, but yeah, that’s a good reason to leave, too.”
Margot also gets to her feet. “Graham and I will drive you,” she says. “He’s not drinking tonight, and I’d rather be somewhere more private when the clock strikes midnight.” She gives us all a wink.
“Fine. I’ll go find my incredible boyfriend and stick close to him the rest of the night,” Harlow says with a fake eye roll as her feet hit the floor, and she hugs us all goodbye.
Graham seems to feel the same way Margot does, because he happily agrees to drive Sloan and me home.
I’m upstairs and in bed at five minutes to midnight.
Kiss-less.
Thinking about Everett Clark.
And all the reasons we can’t be together.
And all the reasons he’s perfect for me.
It’s going to be a long year.
CHAPTER 11
EVERETT
“I can’t believeyou thought you couldn’t tell me.”
I look up as Graham walks into my office. My heart speeds up.
How did he find out about Ginny and me? Andnow? It’s been three weeks since I saw her. Two since I last texted her.
Yes, I’ve thought of her every single day—and night—and I’vewantedto text, call, and see her. But I haven’t. I’ve resisted. I’ve been good, goddammit.
AndnowI have to deal with her brother’s questions and possible concerns?
But why the hell would Graham have concerns?
I’m hisbest friend. We’re in business together. Obviously, he trusts me. And fucking likes me. Why wouldn’t he be okay with me being with his sister? In my opinion, he should have been trying to set me up with Ginny from the beginning.
I force myself to take a deep breath. Part of my ire here isn’t about Graham at all. It’s about missing the hell out of Ginny.
I can’t just not see her. Talk to her. Want her.
So something has to change.
Soon.
I set my pen down as he drops into the chair across from me, a deep frown on his face.
