Emily set her wine down. “I just wasn’t planning on gettingthatdrunk.”
“Well, I am.” I finally pushed back against the cushion, making myself comfortable. A few shots of tequila mixed with this scotch was exactly what I needed. “I’ll take two.”
Chapter Thirteen
Emily
A furry blanket was spread over Maya and me as we lay next to each other on the couch. The fireplace across from us was roaring with flames, making the mood extra cozy, and the music—a mix of country, rock, and rap—was just loud enough to hear the words, but not overpowering so I couldn’t make out anything her, Jordan, or Gavin had been saying throughout the night.
Tonight had been absolute perfection, including Gavin’s surprise appearance, something I still hadn’t gotten over.
But there was one problem.
The tequila and wine and the second helping of Thai takeout had made me so sleepy. I lifted my phone from the cushion beside me, hit the icon for my Uber app, and rolled my head toward my best friend. “I love you more than life itself, but I need to go home.”
“Nooo.”
“I have to go to bed, Maya. I’m fading so fast. And since I’m off from both jobs tomorrow, I have a crapload of stuff I need to get done.”
She moved onto her side to face me. “How about a sleepover? I’ll order us breakfast in the morning, and then you can attack all the things.”
That would only lead to mimosas, and then I’d really get nothing done.
“I can’t.” I twirled one of her locks around my finger. “I’m going to call an Uber and—”
“You’re absolutely not calling an Uber.” She leaned up and looked at Jordan, who was sitting at the end of the couch, deep in conversation with Gavin. “Jordan, Emily needs to get home. Will you call your driver and have him—”
“I’ll take her.”
Gavin’s voice shot through the room like a bullet, landing straight in my heart. As he stared at me, his expression turned that bullet so that it made the hole even larger.
The man couldn’t look hotter if he tried. He was leaning forward on the couch, his arms resting on his thighs, his glass of whatever-alcohol-he-was-on-at-this-point dangling between his legs. With his chin positioned over his shoulder, the light from the fire showed the thickness of his scruff and the darkness of his gaze. Heat was blazing from his eyes and wrapping right around me.
I pulled the blanket up to my neck even though I was suddenly sweaty. “No, you don’t have to go out of your way. I’ll call an Uber.”
“Em, it’s wicked late. You’re not calling an Uber at this hour.”
I knew my best friend wouldn’t bend, but I still tried to convince her. “I call one all the time when I’m on call for Dr. Kaplan—”
“I’m headed out too.” Gavin got up from the couch, emptied his glass with one gulp, and set it on a nearby table. “My driver’s right outside. There’s no reason he can’t take you home.”
“Problem solved.” Maya linked her fingers with mine. “And I didn’t even have to pull the mom card.”
The booze made me laugh at her. But my nerves about getting in a car with Gavin cut that laughter short. “Who says I’m not going to jump in an Uber the second I step outside.”
“I do.”
There was that voice again. The one so incredibly sexy, I could barely breathe.
“See, Gavin has my back.” Maya threw her arms around my neck. “I’d say text me when you get home, but I know Gavin won’t let anything happen to you. So text me in the morning, okay?”
Gavin wouldn’t let anything happen to me. Ugh, the most seductive words I’d ever heard.
I hugged Maya back. “I had the most fun tonight, babe.”
“That’s why you need to come over more often.” She squeezed me with more strength. “Ohhh, and we need to talk about Mike. That’s on tomorrow’s agenda. Do not forget, lady.”
I pulled back, still holding her arms. “I’ve agreed to nothing.”
