“God, you two are gross.” Eve mimes gagging. “We get it, you’re married.”
My gaze lingers on her. “I’ll be there.”
Her face flushes and she tears her attention from me, fussing with the ribbons.
Once again the thought enters my mind that this is what it would be like if I stay in Heston Lake. If I make this place my home again. The more the possibility takes shape in my head, the more I want it.
ELEVEN
EVE
New Year’sEve comes before I’m ready. I’m officially twenty-five.
Single. Unsure if the direction I want to take my life in is the right choice. Living at home with my parents. Well, sort of. I think it still counts since I’m in the garage apartment.
No one’s going to change those things or tell me what I should do except myself. I’m not big on resolutions since I can’t stick to them to save my life.
But there is one thing I’m certain about. I’m excited to create a business with all the things I make. It’s what I’ve dreamed about without taking the leap. Getting the camper was my sign it’s my time.
Tonight I vow not to worry about any of that. I want to let loose and have fun on my birthday.
The girls came over to get ready with me, then we all crammed into the back of Cole’s Bronco. Jess was supposed to be with us, too, but the first trimester has her exhausted.
The club we’re partying at is in the next town over. I thought about hosting a big celebration and inviting more friends from college, but I wanted to keep this intimate. Only me and my closest people.
“There are two rules tonight,” Caroline says as we arrive. “Make some damn good memories because this is how you’re sending this year off.”
“What’s the second rule?” Cole asks.
He’s standing right behind me, close enough that the heat from his body radiates against the open back of my little black dress. I gulp, angling my head back for a glimpse. He meets my gaze, eyes hooded. I whip around when I realize I’m being super obvious and take a small step to put space between us.
I swear he closes the distance.
Caroline smirks at him. “The second rule, and this is really the most important one, is that the birthday girl doesn’t buy her own drinks. Got me?”
Everyone whoops.
“Car,” I protest. “You guys don’t have to do that.”
“Yes, we do! We’re here to celebrate you.” She takes my hand. “Come on! First round of champs is on me, then we’re hitting the dance floor to shake our asses.”
An excited squeal escapes me as she leads us through the crowd. I reach behind me blindly, expecting Lauren or Julia to latch on so we don’t lose each other.
The hand that takes mine is big and warm. I peek, finding Cole giving me one of his lethal smiles. He squeezes my hand and sticks close until we reach the bar. He doesn’t release it right away.
I allow myself the tiny pleasure of shifting nearer. My eyes fall shut as his woodsy scent envelopes me. I sway to the pounding beat of the music, brushing against him. He laces our fingers together and my breath catches.
Caroline breaks me out of my private fever dream. “Here you go. Cheers.”
Cole drops my hand, leaving it tingling from the loss. I accept the glass of champagne, clinking it with hers. Benson passes out more drinks until we all have one.
“To Evie,” Cole toasts.
The others echo him and I’m caught up in a group hug. I take a hearty sip, downing half of it.
“Let’s dance!” I announce.
The girls go with me and the guys stay behind. We join the dance floor on a good song we all like. A happy buzz begins to build within me by the third song.
