Page 42 of East

A flicker of light pierces the storm clouds in my heart.

Thea didn’t sleep with Wick.

And—bonus points—she wanted me to know.

Halle-freaking-lujah!

She clears her throat. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I told you that.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about.” I chuckle unevenly. “Wick is an oddball. I’m glad you didn’t go home with him.”

She looks up, her cheeks reddening. “I… I did go home with him.”

I lift an eyebrow. Am I supposed to say something? And if so…what?

My phone rings.

A distraction. God bless.

“Sorry, one moment.” I pull out my phone and look at the display. It’s Leo.

Why the hell is he calling in the middle of the day? We don’t open for several hours.

I’ll ignore it. I want to hear more of what Thea has to say. I send Leo to voicemail and place my phone back in my pocket. “I’m sorry, can you repeat what you just said?”

She bites her lip. “I don’t know why I’m telling you this. You’re a perfect stranger.”

I shrug. “A perfect stranger who’s not going to judge you.”

She exhales sharply. “I highly doubt that.”

“Anyway, you were saying…”

She sighs. “Long story short. I went home with him. I was drunk. Not thinking straight. But once I got to his house I…changed my mind.” She blinks several times. “I’m sorry, can we discuss something else?”

“Sure. Whatever you’d like.” I unwrap my sandwich, unsure of how I feel about this new information. It sounds like Thea didn’t sleep with Wick, so at least there’s that.

“I’m such a mess today.” She takes a sip of her iced coffee. “I haven’t even been home since last night. And I completely spaced this work thing I have to do later—” She looks back up at me. “Wait a minute. You don’t happen to be free tonight, do you?”

I lean in. “Free for what?”

“Oh, what am I thinking? You have to open the club tonight. It’s Friday. Probably one of your busiest nights.”

“It is, but we don’t open until ten p.m. on Fridays. Ever since I took over the club, we’ve brought in a younger, hipper clientele. They weren’t showing up until after ten on the weekends, so I adjusted our hours.” I take a bite of my sandwich. “Why do you ask?”

“Well, if you are free, I’ve got a plus-one to this gala for an animal rescue charity tonight. My coworker is an absolute bitch with this perfect family, and”—the red in her cheeks deepens—“it would be nice for me to have a good-looking gentleman on my arm for once.”

Okay. Here’s my in.

I lean in, offer a knowing smile. “I’d be honored to join you tonight, Thea.”

Her eyes brighten. “Great! I’ll send you the details.” She pulls out her phone. “Can I get your number?”

“Of course.” I rattle off the digits, and she sends me a quick text so I have her number as well. I’m updating her contact information when my display screen changes. Another call comes in.

Leo again. What the hell?

Whatever it is, he can handle it. Probably some maintenance issue with the club. He has all the numbers.