Page 68 of Return Policy
“You in or what?” Desmond asks, and Elijah releases a frustrated breath.
“Fine,” he concedes, turning his attention back to me. “Be a good girl, will you?”
I fight a smile. “Never.”
“Sophia.” He steps forward, grabbing my chin in his usual way. “Don’t make me kick someone’s ass tonight,” he says lowly, his lips so close to mine I can almost taste them.
“Now why would you do something silly like that?”
Elijah’s gaze flicks down to my mouth and crawls slowly back to my eyes. “You know exactly why.”
The words sit between us like a ticking bomb. I fight the urge to close the distance, knowing the second our lips touch, my little plan to stay just friends will disintegrate into oblivion.
“Fine… I’ll be a very,verygood girl.” I wink and he groans, shooting a death glare at Desmond before returning his full attention to me.
“I’ll come find you soon. Okay?”
“Have fun, boys.” I give him a flirty wave as he backs away smiling and spins around, heading toward the pool table with Desmond.
I go to the kitchen for another drink and run into Sage.
“Enjoying yourself?” I ask her.
“Oh, fuck yes. I seriously don’t think I’ve laughed this much in forever.”
“Good.” I boop her on the nose. “I’m glad you’re having fun.”
“Hey, beautiful babes,” Char says, joining us with a wide smile.
“I’m gladyou’reenjoying yourself too.”
“Me too.”
Julian appears and throws his arm around Sage. “I need a darts partner. Save me from sucking?”
She rakes her eyes over him. “Only if you play to win.”
“Always.” He grins, grabbing her hand and dragging her away.
They are too fucking cute.
Charlie is texting incessantly on her phone, and there’s a worry crease on her forehead.
“I’ve gotta call Nash, I’ll be right back,” she says, spinning away without looking up from her phone.
I decide to check how Elijah’s pool game is going and weave my way through the crowded house. I’m almost to the table when I see him and Andi standing near each other. He smirks down at her, and my heart drops to my stomach. I spin around just as Theo appears, holding two shot glasses with lime wedges on the brim.
“Another one… really?” I ask, groaning.
“You can handle it.” He winks with a mischievous smile that screams trouble. We clink before downing the tequila, and my throat is so used to the liquor at this point it doesn’t even burn.
I suck on the lime, face twisting slightly. “Care to continue what we started last week?”
His eyes flick over my shoulder, then back down at me, and he smiles like the Cheshire Cat. “Elijah’s right. You really are the perfect woman.”
19
ELIJAH
