She sighs. “Yes.”
On the drive, I can barely take my eyes off her, and she notices.
“You look like you’re about to jump my bones.”
“I’m trying not to,” I admit shamelessly. “We’re leaving as early as we can manage. I’m not spending valuable time at a party when I’d rather be with you.”
She wets her lips. “Now I don’t want to go at all.”
Careful not to mess with her hair and makeup, I pull her into my arms. “I’m going to have a hard time surviving two days without you. What have you done to me?”
She grins. “I bewitched you.”
“You certainly did.”
Her eyes close and she touches her forehead to mine. I listen to her breaths, caught up in the unexpected intimacy of the moment. After a while, she pulls back then smiles naughtily. “Just so you know, I’ll be having fun while you’re gone. I’ll be out clubbing all night Friday, so I won’t miss you too much.”
“I’ll be suffering alone.” I chuckle and place one hand on my chest. “I think you just broke my heart.”
She takes a deep breath. “I’ll miss you too,” she says quietly. “Every single minute.”
We take pictures outside the venue then walk in together. The host, Steven Yeagar, soon joins us. He’s an old friend from college and a serial entrepreneur.
“I’m glad you could make it,” he tells me before turning to Rachel. “Landon, who is this angel?”
“She’s Rachel Foster.” I hold her gaze as I speak. “My girlfriend.”
A spot of color stains her cheeks and her eyes soften. Then Steven is talking to her, almost gushing, and though I can’t hear what he tells her, I love the way her face lights up.
The evening progresses. Many of the guests are young and hip. Steven likes to roll with a fashionable crowd. They’re not exactly interesting to me, and I’m thinking of leaving when I hear a familiar voice.
“Landon!”
Rachel and I both turn toward the voice. Ava is walking toward me, a lazy smile on her face. Trust her to make a late and dramatic entrance.
She hugs me, smiling brilliantly.
“I didn’t know you were coming,” I tell her, pulling back.
“Steven invited me,” she replies, turning to Rachel.
I wonder if Rachel recognizes her from the pictures. I can’t tell from her face a
s I introduce them.
“How nice to meet you,” Ava drawls.
“It’s good to meet you too.” Rachel’s voice is calm and impersonal. “I’ve met your brother,” she continues. “Evans Sinclair?” She smiles. “It was a very…memorable meeting.”
Ava doesn’t reply. It’s not the answer she expected, obviously, and Evans is a sore spot.
“I thought you’d returned to San Francisco.”
Ava shakes her head. “Not yet. I had a few things to take care of.” She takes my hand. “I want to say hello to Steven. It’s been ages. Why don’t you come?”
I’m not looking to prolong my stay at the party, not when Rachel and I have plans.
“We already saw him.” My eyes are on Rachel, and I barely notice as Ava lets go of my hand.