Page 68 of Fierce Storm
“I can’t even imagine. There’s no way I’d let my brother stay with me.” I shiver and Paige not so subtly raises an eyebrow. “No offense, Paige. But come on, even you can admit he’s hard to live with.”
“Actually, I can’t. I don’t have a bad thing to say about him.”
“He’s brainwashed her. We have to help her before she ties herself to that ogre forever.”
“If Amelia can put up with Luke, I think Paige can handle Easton,” Hayley adds before shuffling closer to me, out of Amelia’s reach.
“You’re not wrong.” Amelia shrugs and we all burst out laughing before waving to a roaming server and starting our night with his favorite cocktail recommendation.
“To Paige and her future husband.” I raise a glass, winking her way as she smiles.
“To Paige and Easton.”
“To me.”
“Okay, girls. Let’s knock this back quickly.” Hayley takes a gulp of herWandering Eyecocktail, her gaze shifting to the dance floor. “It’s time to dance before the next show begins.”
My thigh-length silk dress clings to my body after I’ve spent the last hour dancing with Hayley, and I need to sit down.
We’re on hour three, and while I’m somehow still standing, Paige, Amelia, and Blair snuck back to the table a while ago.
“I need water. So much water.”
“I need thongs,” Hayley calls out louder than necessary, her face pulled into a pout while I laugh at the confused stares she’s getting around us. “I’ve spent the past two months wearing runners and my feet have grown accustomed to not being tortured.” She rubs the top of her foot while I laugh harder.
“She means flip-flops and sneakers,” I fill the strangers in, and Hayley waves me off as we walk back to our table. It’s become a running joke of ours for one of us to translate for her every time she uses Australian terms.
“I just can’t get on board with flip-flops,” she says as she drops into her seat. “They’ll forever be thongs to me. Either way, they’re much more comfortable than heels on a dance floor.”
“I beg to differ. You won’t see me in anything lower than three inches unless I’m at the gym. I think I have Barbie feet. They’re naturally inclined to accommodate my heel.”
“And that’s why you’re the boss.” Hayley gives me finger guns, and I throw my head back with a laugh.
“Far from it, Hayls, but thanks.”
“In the team’s eyes you are,” Amelia adds, drawing my attention. “Just ask Luke. He once said he wouldn’t be surprised if you take D’Angelo’s gig one day.”
“Ha. Could you imagine?” I roll my eyes until all of my friends freakishly yell yes at the same time before their laughter surrounds us.
“I think you four spendwaytoo much time together.”
“And we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The clock strikes midnight, and as though they’re all Cinderella, Amelia, Paige, and Blair call an end to the night, with Hayley giving me another hour, despite having to get up at five.
“Are you sure you’re happy to stay?” I ask her before the others disappear out of sight. Now that I’m out, I’m not ready to leave, but I’d never force someone to stay just to keep me company.
“Definitely.” Hayley laughs as though my question is absurd, and pulls me toward the bar, offering our table to a woman celebrating her thirtieth birthday. “My scene tomorrow is a morning-after scene. Consider this method acting. I’m getting in the mood.”
She finishes her drink and lowers it to the bar, bouncing her eyebrows as she does, and I can’t help but laugh along with her. This is not usually my scene, but God, am I having fun.
“To late nights and early mornings without regret,” I say, lifting my glass to my lips and finishing it off, feeling the burn as the fruity concoction glides down my throat.
“I’ll have another, please…” I trail off, looking for a name tag on the man behind the bar.
“Nico,” he confirms, instantly registering what I’m doing.
“Thank you, Nico. I’ll have another.”
