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It still sends heat straight through me. This is fine. I can want him, and we can have sex again.

I just need to remember what it is. A few months. A little fun.

“BEA!” Sydney shouts from the living room. “WHERE ARE THE FANCY GLASSES? LUCA WANTS TO DO A TOAST.”

Cal glances towards the doorway.

“Your roommate needs you.”

I remove my hand from his, and the loss of contact is far more noticeable than it has any right to be.

I retrieve the cups and return to the living room.

Luca gives a toast that makes everyone laugh.

I laugh too, but an uneasy feeling settles in my tummy. This is all temporary. The photos may have been fake, but he’s still going back to LA.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Cal

The night changes at eleven when Sydney says the word bar.

Four drinks in and glowing with dangerous optimism, she decides everyone needs to finish the night at The Black Cat.

“Marco’s working the door,” she announces. “Marco loves me. He’ll get Drew in.”

“Marco will do no such thing.”

Sydney blinks at me. “But Marco loves me.”

“I’m thrilled for both of you. Drew’s still going home.”

My brother looks personally wounded. “Cal, come on.”

“No.”

“Luca thinks I should come.”

I look at Luca.

He raises both hands from the couch. “I believe everyone should be allowed to make their own mistakes. Unfortunately, your brother is enormous and frightening, so I’m staying out of this one.”

“Coward,” Drew mutters.

“Alive coward,” Luca corrects.

I take out my phone. “Your car is four minutes away.”

Drew stares at me. “You already ordered it?”

“While you were attempting to build a legal case.”

“This is bullshit.”

“Completely,” I agree. “Put your coat on.”

The fake ID isn’t the problem.