The VIP party starts at six in the afternoon. Cody picked me up, dressed in a black tux, his hair sleeked back and in a bun.
“Can we stop at a shop, please?” I ask when he finishes telling me what’s on the menu tonight.
If Nico wants to play games, so can I.
“Why? What do you need?”
“Oh, um... it’s just something I want to give Nico later.”
He flips the indicator, pulling up outside a gas station. “What kind of something, Bug?”
“You’ll see, it’s a little inside joke.”
I run inside, scouting the shelves. Overly proud of my clever idea, I pay the cashier, tuck my purchase in my bag, then get back in the car.
We’re the last ones to arrive at the Country Club. Well, almost. Nico’s nowhere around, and I’ve not spotted his car, although he does have three, and I only know two, so maybe he’s here.
The foyer acts as the meet-and-greet area, where we spend half an hour mingling with the sophisticated crowd.
I’m struck by how mature and eloquent the triplets are, discussing politics with the upper class.
They don’t show that side every day.
Logan comes over to complain that my sister’s been blowing up his phone, asking him to pose for another cover: a sequel toSweet Truths. Before we can get into the conversation, Cassidy waves him over, and he excuses himself. I watch as he wraps his arm around her middle, kissing her temple before he pays the man Cass is talking to any attention.
Theo takes his place, the only Hayes I’ve not been properly introduced to before today. He’s got a sense of humor a lot like Conor’s, and he’s a bit like Colt with those bright, assessing eyes. I don’t think any detail slips past him.
“Mia!” Monica Hayes cheers, rushing toward us. A dazzling smile stretches her pink lips before she air-kisses my cheeks. “That’s a lovely dress, honey.” She takes my hand, twirling me around. “Are you ready to play tomorrow?”
“Yes, I’ve been practicing all week.”
“Perfect!” She squeezes my hand softly. “I can’t wait. My mother’s been singing your praises for months.”
“Exaggeration,” I say with a smile. “All of it.”
“No need to be so modest.” Her eyes cut across the room, where little Noah’s just started crying in the nanny’s arms. “I better go and see if I can help.” She rushes away, intercepting her grandson from the nanny’s hands like she doesn’t trust the woman to do her job.
“Did you call your dad to tell him you jumped?” Cody asks.
“Not yet. They’re racing in Azerbaijan this weekend, and it’s late there now. I’ll call him tomorrow. I doubt he’ll believe me, though.”
“You’ll have proof,” Conor says, approaching with his date. “One of the instructors who jumped with you and Nico took pictures. We’ll have them next week.”
“That pirouette you did in the air was cool.” Shawn stops beside us with his husband, Jack. “Cody said you’re terrified of heights. Why did you jump?”
“Why did you?” I counter, biting back a smile. “I don’t mind heights. It’s flying I can’t stomach, but you all looked like you were having so much fun up there...” I trail off, catching a glimpse of Nico as he enters the building.
Our eyes lock, and he slowly takes me in the way he always does, inch by inch, like he’s savoring every second. My chaotic feelings force my heart into a faster rhythm when he approaches our little gathering.
I’m silently, openly staring, and at least five seconds have passed since I stopped talking. “Once we got on the plane, I begged Nico to take me back down.”
“You didn’t want to go back down on a plane,” Nico says. “You would’ve saidredinstead ofyellowandorange.”
“Red?” Cody questions.
“She told me not to let her back down but mutteredno, andI don’t want to do thisnon-stop during the safety briefing, so I picked a safe word she could use if she really wanted to stop.”
“I used it. Just a little too late.”
