I keep finding myself staring at my brother. It’s been years since I’ve seen him this healthy. The dark circles are gone, and he’s already put on some weight. He looks like my brother again.
“I’m teasing. You look beautiful, Ash,” JT says, pulling me in for a hug.
“Thank you.”
JT turns his attention to Shane, pulling him into a hug next. “It’s so good to see you, man.”
Gabe stands, making his way over to us.
Holy shit.
He’s wearing black dress pants and a gray dress shirt. The top couple buttons are open, and he has the sleeves rolled up showing his tattooed forearms. The intricate sleeve of winding snakes and flowers on his right arm is the same as I remember, but the grayscale, hyper-realistic skull on the other is new.
His eyes latch onto mine before scanning the dress. When they make it back to my gaze, his eyebrow hitches, and it’s like I’ve been lit on fire.
There’s always been a physical energy between us, even when we were strictly friends.
Dipping my head, I dart across the room to an empty table and take a seat. God, what I wouldn’t give for this to not be a sober party. I just have to get through tonight.
“You okay?” Colette asks from behind me.
“Oh, hey!” I stand, throwing my arms around her. “I’m great!” My smile is big and genuine as I pull away from her. “I hoped I’d get to see you while I was in town.”
“I wondered if you were planning to avoid me the whole time you were here or if you’d eventually come around.”
I love Colette, but I’ve heard enough stories to know I don’t want to be on her bad side. I don’t think she’s been as involved in the club since losing her husband, but she’s no saint.
“Oh. No. I wasn’t—I mean I didn’t mean to avoid you. It was more?—”
“It was my son you were ignoring?” She quirks a brow. “Yeah. I know. Listen, I love him dearly, but I’ll always want what’s best for you. You know that, right?”
I nod.
“Anyway. You look beautiful tonight, sweetheart. Don’t be a stranger, okay?”
I nod again as she turns, walking toward Shane before wrapping her arms around him. A hand lands on my lower back before I sit.
“You really are stunning tonight,” a deep voice whispers in my ear. I can feel his breath on my neck, and his scent fills my nose.
I spin to find Gabe standing so close I forget how to breathe.
“Thank you. You look nice yourself.”
His eyes are focused solely on mine, and it almost burns. “Have a good night, Ash.”
The second his hand leaves my back, it’s like a part of my body has detached itself. I still crave his hands on me like I did when we were together.
He is not yours anymore, Ash.
Dinner goes off without a hitch, but I can tell Shane’s nervous. His knee bounces under the table the entire time.
When everyone finishes eating, Nik leans over and whispers something in his ear.
She touches my arm. “I think we’re gonna head home. I can come back later and get you if you want me to.”
“No, that’s okay. I’ll go with you now.”
“Fuck that.” JT leans back in his chair, putting it on two legs. “You’ll miss all the fun. We’re about to get this party started. I’ll take you home later.”
