“Well, that sure was a party,” Tess says softly while we stand outside in the dark.“Besides the ending, I had a really good time,” Tess smiles, trying to lighten the mood.
I’m still trying to process the fact that I actually slapped someone. This isn’t like me at all.
“I got Tess and me a cab, shall we all have dinner or something next week?” Leo suggests, and we agree. I’m about to ask Zane if we can leave when Blake walks up to us.
“Hey man, I figured you’d might want to take your girl home and talk to her for a bit. I’ll drop Lisa off on my way back, ok?” Blake suggests to Zane.
“Thanks, man,” he says, and just like that, they hug goodbye. I know Gwen needs to be alone with Zane right now, but I also know when it comes to Blake, Tess was right. I’m in trouble.
“I don’t know how to thank you,” Gwen says as she slowly walks up to me.
“Thank me? Are you kidding me? We’re friends, silly. She had no right to do that. Let’s have a coffee tomorrow or somewhere next week. I’ll give you my number,” I say excitedly, and Gwen smiles and gives me her phone.
“Are you going to be ok, sis?” Zane asks me while I hug Gwen goodnight.
“Of course,” I say as I hug him next.“Please make sure Gwen understands those idiot girls don’t know what they’re talking about,” I whisper.
“I will,” he replies before they walk away.
“Hey,” a cab driver says carefully, reading the mood in one glance.“Pick up for Saxon?”
“That’s us,” Blake responds, and I give him a look. A smirk forms on his face right away, and I can’t help but feel something in my stomach.
The cab is warm, which is good, because my hands are still cold from anger.
Not fear. Definitely not fear. Anger. Ok, maybe a little leftover adrenaline too. But mostly anger.
I stare out the window as the city slides past. I kick my heels off and tuck them under my seat. With one hand, I hold onto my clutch like I’m ready to use it as a weapon if necessary.
Beside me, Blake is quiet for the first three minutes, which is honestly more unnerving than the flirting.
Finally, he says,“That was hot.”
I turn to look at him.
“What?”
“The slap,” he clarifies.“Very memorable.”
I gape at him.“I assaulted someone in public.”
“She insulted Gwen.”
“That does not make it legally sound.”
“No,” he agrees.“But morally? I’m prepared to call it performance art.”
I laugh before I can stop myself, then immediately press my lips together.
Blake catches it.
“There she is.”
“Don’t make me hit you, too.”
He leans back against the seat, smiling.“Worth it.”
For a second, I just look at him. Really look.
