“I promise. I would tell you if I was worried.”
“If you’re sure, Luca.”
“From the top?” I askedher.
“Let’s doit.”
I wasn’t sure how thegirls had dragged us to a bar.
There was one person to blame.
And he liked to refer to me as his bestie.
Jack was too easily persuaded, and three versus one was a futile war. Matilda, Lily, and Taylor had climbed into their car to drop Taylor home.
I texted Matilda the address while Jack called the concierge to add her license plate to the approved list.
We’d just handed our keys to the valet when Matilda’s familiar car pulled into the entrance. After we’d shown our IDs, Lily and Matilda signed the NDA required by the private club. Jack and I preferred this place for its privacy—it was the only bar we frequented, other than the one at the studios, these days.
We directed the girls through the reception. Warm, soft lights cast a gentle glow across the marble floor and dark mahogany walls. Plush velvet sofas decorated the space, adding classic pops of color to an otherwise understated room.
We passed a few other members on our way to the bar, none of them sparing a second glance for our casual workout attire.
The bar was equally beautiful. A long, polished countertopstretched the entire length of the room, with hundreds of glasses hanging above it. Shelves lined with every type of rare or vintage liquor adorned the back wall, providing ample choice for the patrons.
Matilda and Lily wasted no time ordering glasses of sauvignon blanc, while Jack and I opted for beers.
The atmosphere was lively with laughter and music, and despite the crowd, there were plenty of booths available. We chose one in the corner, sinking into the plush cushioned seats. Lily sat opposite Matilda, and Jack slid in beside Lily.
As I settled next to Matilda, our shoulders brushed. Lily and Matilda told us about many of their wild holidays together growing up. Their faces lit up as they reminisced.
Things started going downhill when we lost count of how many drinks we’d had. The warm lights had taken on an even softer hue, my shoulders relaxed, and the tension that had been building for weeks eased.
“They know each other,” I said under my breath, although I wasn’t sure why I bothered. Jack and Lily were deep in whatever conversation they were having.
“Yeah.” Matilda flicked her gaze across the booth. “They sit next to each other for the show.”
I raised an eyebrow, smirking. “You think that’s all there is toit?”
At that moment, she shuffled in her seat, her thigh pressing against mine. I couldn’t tell if it was accidental, but she didn’t move it away.
“Oh my god,” she whispered, the scent of coconut floating through the air as she leanedin.
“They’re fucking,” I said at the same time Matilda blurted, “They’ve had sex.”
She looked disgusted at my choice of words, but I held my hands up. “What?”
“Really? Do you have to say it like that?” she guffawed.
“What?” My tone dropped an octave. “It’s just a word, Stevens.”
A pink blush crept up her cheeks, and my mind wandered to whether she’d blush like that in the bedroom.
“Yeah, but it’s…Never mind.” She tucked a stray blond hair behind her ear. Taking a deep gulp of my beer, I leaned back into the booth.
“No, go on.” I smirked.
“No, you goon.”
