The music’s louder now, the drinks stronger, and we’re definitely feeling the full effects of the night. Roxy’s already taken off her heels, Delaney’s cheeks are flushed pink, and I’ve been laughing so hard I had to fix my mascara.
“We need to dance before we lose motor function,” Roxy announces, standing on slightly wobbly legs.
“Agreed,” I say, draining the rest of my drink.
But the second we stand up, three solid, smug-as-hell bodies step into our path like they’ve been waiting for this exact moment.
“Lux,” Finlay says with that cocky grin, I swear I want to slap and kiss at the same time.
“Fuck you,” I reply without missing a beat, resting a hand on my hip.
“That’s not very nice,” he says, dropping his eyes slowly and purposefully down my body and back up like he’s imagining everything underneath. To be fair, he’s seen most of it.
“I’m not a nice person. What can I say?” I shoot back with a shrug.
“I’m Theo,” says the tall, sleek one, nodding to my girls. “And this is Jace.”
“Hey, beautiful,” Jace adds, flashing a smile like he’s auditioning for a toothpaste commercial.
“Which one are you talking to, big guy?” Roxy asks, arching a brow like she’s about to throw down if necessary or make out with him, depending on the vibe.
Jace laughs and steps in front of her. “Oh shit, you’re the bartender.”
“Sharp observation, Einstein. I’ll let you keep talking since you’re cute.”
Delaney looks like she’s trying to hide a grin behind her glass. Theo leans a little closer to her, and she doesn’t move away. Interesting.
Finlay, meanwhile, hasn’t stopped staring at me. “You always mean when you drink, or am I just special?”
“Oh, you’re special, alright. A special kind of asshole.”
“Ouch. You wound me, Lux.”
“It’s Nova,” I snap. “I’m off the clock.”
He chuckles and leans down slightly. “Noted. Off the clock and still sexy as hell.”
Roxy snorts. “Gross. Can we get back to dancing before I dry heave?”
“Let’s go,” Jace says, grabbing her hand like he already knows she’ll follow, and damn if she doesn’t.
Theo offers his hand to Delaney with a dazzling grin. “Wanna dance, sweetheart?”
Delaney looks between me and Roxy like she’s checking for backup, but then shrugs. “Sure. Why not?”
“What the fuck!” I yell, hands in the air. “Girls! Where’s the sisterhood? The solidarity? I thought this was a pact!”
Roxy glances back. “You’ll be fine, babe. Try not to punch him in the throat.”
Finlay grins. “Come on, Nova. Let’s dance. We can’t let them have all the fun.”
I drop back down into the chair and cross my legs. “See, that’s the difference between you and me, Reed. I don’t give a shit. You, on the other hand, can’t stand being benched.”
He grins wider. “Football terminology. I see what you did there.”
“Wow, you’re quick,” I deadpan.
“I am known for my quick release.”
