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I pinch my lips in thought before I lean against him and whisper, “Can I get a cranberry juice?”
“With vodka?”
I shake my head. “No, just on its own.”
“Sure, but I thought you’d want to drink. Didn’t you say that’s part of the experience?”
I shrug. “I don’t want to get sick or forget any part of tonight.”
He stares at me for a second before he prods, “There’s something else. Did I scare you? With all my talk about clubs being dangerous? Cause I promise you’re safe here. Reece and I aren’t drinking so we can be on full alert.”
“What’s wrong?” Kingsley asks, sitting down beside Weston after hearing the tail end of our conversation.
“She’s afraid to drink.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not afraid.”
”Of course not! Zee’s afraid of nothing!” Bower says with a smile. Even after all these years, he still likes to call me by my island name on occasion.
“Why would she be afraid?” Kingsley asks, looking between me and Weston.
But it’s Reece who answers. “She’s worried about being intoxicated around strangers. That someone will take advantage of her.”
“Is that true?” Kingsley asks with a slight frown.
“No. I know you guys will take care of me.”
“Then why won’t you have any alcohol?” Weston prods further.
“Stop pressuring her to drink, Callahan,” Reece says, reaching his arm around my waist and pulling me against his side as he glares at Weston.
“I’m not.”
“Sure seems that way.”
“I just want her to admit why she’s not drinking!” he says, his voice growing louder in agitation.
“What does it matter? If she doesn’t want to drink, she doesn’t have to,” Bower says, leaning back and crossing his arms over his chest.
“It matters to me,” Weston grumbles.
“Maybe she doesn’t want to admit that she’s scared,” Bower retorts.
“I’m not scared!” I exclaim, growing frustrated that we’re talking in circles.
“Then why won’t you drink?” Weston asks again with the rise of an eyebrow.
“Because I don’t feel like it!”
“You’re lying, Darla. Tell me the truth.”
“I’m not!”
“You are.”
He narrows his eyes at me, and I press my lips tightly together, glaring right back. How is it this man can always read me so well?
“West! Stop trying to make her admit she’s scared!” Reece says, squeezing my side.
