Page 76 of The Moment He Couldn’t Walk Away

She won a pair of white fluffy socks and a red sequined G-string.

Zoe examined her prizes. “Do you think you’re meant to wear them together?”

“No idea, but it’s time for tequila shots!”

They drank and danced—or staggered, in the case of some people—and every time Nina looked toward the bar, she found Finch’s eyes locked on her, his gaze hot and full of secrets that only she shared.

“Is there something going on between you and my brother?”

The words had Nina tripping over her feet as she spun to stare at Birdie. “What?”

“You and Finch. There’s chemistry between you. The others may be too drunk to notice, but I’m not.” Following those words, Birdie squinted.

“No, of course not.”

Birdie leaned in close and stared at Nina.

She dug her feet into the soles of her shoes to stop from retreating.

“I don’t think you’re telling me the truth, Nina.”

“Blue is calling you.”

“No, she’s not.” Birdie’s eyes narrowed further. “Do you like my brother, Nina?”

She nodded. “Lots of people like him, Birdie.” Which wasn’t a lie. Before he’d been injured, he’d been one of Lyntacky’s much loved sons. Nina knew that hadn’t changed, and in fact, his current persona only endeared them more—especially those set on helping him go back to being the man he once was.

“You know that’s not the kind of liking I’m talking about.”

She’d never been happier to hear the voices of the two men who entered the Rollaway with big smiles on their faces.

“Your Ubers are here!” Brody Duke called out over the cheers. The Slatters’ tourism vans helped everyone get home on boys’ and girls’ nights.

Lynx McAllister was with him. If only his adoring fans could see him being a regular person, she thought.

“What?” Nina asked Lil, who made a sound like she was choking from beside her.

“N-nothing,” Lil replied quickly, though her eyes were locked on Lynx as he walked to his sisters. “Just choking on air.” Then she moved to the other side of the bar, away from Lynx, who was now talking to Finch.

Odd.

“Did Red make you wear those?” Nina heard him ask, pointing to Finch’s glasses.

She didn’t hear the rest because Cill lunged for her, wrapping her arms around Nina’s neck. “Hello, friend.”

Cill was one of the most together people she’d ever met until she drank, and then she was a total lightweight.

“Hello, friend. How you doing there, Cill?”

“Grrrreat!”

“Okay, we need to get you home,” Nina said. “Come on.”

After collecting their bags and coats, she stuffed Cill into hers and did up the buttons.

“Love youuuu,” her friend sang.

“Love you, too, you crazy drunk woman.”