“Thank you for tonight,” I said politely as we pulled up to my apartment.
“Who says it has to be over?” Miles replied, reaching for my cheek, his hand moving like he was going to pull me in for a kiss.
I jerked back, quickly stretching into a theatrical yawn.
“Oh boy!” I said, arms overhead. “I’m absolutely exhausted. All that food and the long drive really knocked me out.”
I shifted toward the door, trying to make my exit, but his hand wrapped around my wrist, holding me still.
“Don’t I get a little something for taking you out?” he said with a half laugh. “I mean, the restaurant sucked, but the company?” He made a dramatic flourish with his free hand. “To die for.”
I reached up, gently turned his face, and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.
“That’s all you get,” I said softly.
When he turned back to face me, his expression shifted to something a bit colder. Disappointment cast along his features.
I scooted farther away, slipping my hand from his grip.
“I’ll text you later.”
His mouth tugged into a thin, strained smile. He gave me a nod but said nothing.
I pushed the limo door open and stepped out onto the curb, closing it behind me with a quiet click.
I didn’t look back.
Climbing the stairs to my apartment, I couldn’t get out of that dress fast enough. I needed a hot shower and a night to breathe—to let go of everything that nightwasn’t.
14
ELLIE
Penny: I miss everyone… I need you ALL to meet at the bar tonight, 8 pm sharp. No rain checks!
Aspen: I’ll be there! ready to dance the night away
Boone: That means I’ll be there too
Theo: Umm, hello… parent here can’t just leave my kid unattended
Boone: Bring Frankie over here. My mom offered to baby sit… she’s been having grandbaby fever
Rhodes: A mini-Boone walking around???
Aspen: A mini-Boone would be a handful (;
Logan: Scary…
Logan: But I’ll be there
Me: I’m in!!
Theo: A baby free night? I’m in. I’ll text your mom about it!
The girls perched at the bar, their guys flanking them like loyal guard dogs.
Me? I sat alone—well, mostly. Logan was to my left, leaning against the bar with a casual slouch as we nursed our first drinks of the night.
