Definitely going to get allthosedetails later.
Turning my attention back on Ryder, I manage a casual smile, still pissed at him for edging me. “So much fun.”
He narrows his eyes, clearly catching the sarcastic edge to my voice before he nods and flashes a smile. “Party’s winding down. I gotta stay tonight to help clean up. You two gonna be okay getting home? You can stay and wait if you want.”
Before I can respond, Sasha pipes up. “I’ve only had a couple drinks, so I can drive us back.”
“You sure?” I ask, relieved that I won’t have to call us a rideshare.
“Absolutely.” She sets her glass aside. “I switched to water an hour ago.”
Jax looks disappointed. “Leaving so soon?”
“Some of us have to drive home tomorrow,” Sasha says with a wink.
I say my goodbyes and slide out of the booth, careful not to stumble on my heels.
“I’ll walk you out,” Ryder says, his hand finding the small of my back as we make our way through the thinning crowd.
“Thank you for coming tonight,” he murmurs as we reach the exit. “It meant a lot having you here, meeting my friends.”
Despite my frustration, I soften at the sincerity in his voice. “I had a good time. Your friends are great.”
“They are,” he agrees, looking pleased.
Outside, Sasha hangs back, giving us a moment of privacy as she digs through her purse for her keys.
Ryder tugs me closer, eyes dark with promise. “About earlier...”
I raise an eyebrow.
“I meant what I said.” His voice drops into that damn gravelly register, instantly making my knees go weak. “Iwillmake it up to you.”
“When?” I challenge, unable to keep the frustration from my voice.
His thumb brushes across my bottom lip. “Soon. I promise. I have another date planned for next week. We’ll see how things go then.”
Before I can protest, his mouth captures mine in a hard, quick kiss, leaving me breathless for the millionth time tonight.
“See you in the morning. ‘Night, Sasha. Thanks for coming.”
“Thanks for having me. You’ve got some talented friends.”
I bark out a laugh.
Ryder just shakes his head with a grin and heads back inside.
“Subtle much?”
“What? Jax is his best friend. No doubt he knows every detail about what went down.”
“Guess we should head home,” I sigh, watching Ryder’s fine ass disappear back into The Brew. “I’m exhausted.”
As soon as Sasha pulls onto the main road, she clears her throat.
“There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you since I got here, but the timing never felt right.”
The seriousness in her tone makes me sit up straighter. “What is it?”
