“Yeah, right. They’re into each other, pretty sure. But that’s it. Anyway, we’re talking about Sola…”
“Here’s the thing.” James was uncharacteristically serious for a moment. “Being demi just means there has to be some kind of emotional bond. It doesn’t mean undying love or the forever and always sort of commitment. Maybe he can sense whatever is there between you and Cash and it makes it okay for him too.”
“Huh.” Sola pressed her hand to her face, hoping she wasn’t as red as she imagined.
“So if you’re thinking you might like to try what so many of us here can promise you is incredible with the right people,” Kennedy added, speaking as both her friend and her physician. “Maybe you should give it a try as long as you tread carefully.”
“As if this thing with Aarav wasn’t full of enough landmines.” Sola grimaced. “I have this horrible feeling that if I put one foot wrong I could blow everything up. And if that’s the case, I’m happy to work on what’s between us before I go and fuck it all up before it’s hardly gotten started.”
“Whatever happens, you know we’re here for you.” Ruby set her glass down a little too hard. “Even if you turn out to be one of the lucky bitches around this place.”
“Hey, us lucky bitches are hoping for the same for you.” James tapped his glass against hers.
Before Sola could thank her friends for grounding her and convincing her she wasn’t turning into a raging nymphomaniac, Cash shouted.
She spun around fast enough to make her back protest, calling her a liar for her previous brushoff. Kennedy narrowed her eyes, but Sola didn’t wait for a lecture—she jogged over to Cash but relaxed when she realized he was cradling a squirming spiky ball with tiny black eyes and a pointy nose against his chest.
Her heart melted when he triumphantly declared, “Got him! Sorry to inform you Mr. Prickles ate most of the salad while you weren’t looking, though.”
“Aw, isn’t he adorable?” Sola edged closer so she could pet him with the tip of one finger. “I’ve never had a pet before.”
“Me either,” Cash admitted.
“Or me,” Aarav said.
“I always thought a bunny would be perfect, but maybe I should have considered a hedgehog.” Sola watched his whiskers bobbing from up close as he swallowed the last of their salad.
“Hey, nice work!” Sevan patted Cash’s shoulder as Kyra and Van bolted into the room.
“Mr. Prickles, don’t you dare take off like that again. Ollie would be crushed if something happened to you.” Kyra held out her hands and Cash handed him over to her. She and Van disappeared down the hall toward the elevator to their private quarters.
Cash seemed pretty proud of himself as the Shields congratulated him on his rescue, making Sola warm and floaty inside. She glanced over at Aarav, who seemed awfully content, leaning up against the counter next to his steeping tea. “One more minute and we can head upstairs. Wren promised me she stocked my fridge with plenty of leftovers from the reception.”
“You have some of that black cherry cake still?” Nolan lifted his head so quickly he looked more like a prairie dog with excellent hair than an assassin.
Sola choked as she remembered last time she’d had some, licked off of Aarav’s skin.
Aarav grinned at her. “Sure do. But you can’t have it. I need it.”
Sola was sure now that her cheeks were flaming. Cash nudged her shoulder. “Was it that good?”
“It was incredible.” She breathed out a sigh and all their friends—not stupid and no strangers to good sex—cracked up.
Aarav glanced at his wrist again, unwilling to ruin his tea, not even for an epic orgasm or five.
“Dude, if you’re as loaded as I’m guessing considering how much Jordan must be paying you to do his dirty work, you can spring for a new one of those,” Cash teased as he pointed at Aarav’s scratched and dented watch.
Everyone went quiet. Because they knew it meant much more than a way to keep time to him. “It was my father’s. I got it off his body when they pulled it from the rubble of a collapsed building after an earthquake. Not everything has to be fancy or expensive to be valuable, Cash.”
“Oh. Shit. I was only joking.” Cash put his hand on Aarav’s shoulder. “Believe me, I’ve had plenty of spare change in my life, and none of it bought me a father whose watch I’d keep if something happened to him.”
Aarav nodded, though he didn’t take his stare from his teacup. He blew across the surface, then took a sip though it had to be scalding. Maybe it helped distract him from memories so painful he had never talked much about them to any of the Shields, Sola included.
“I’ll do my best to remember I’m not really one of you and keep my mouth shut from now on.” Cash blew out a breath that ruffled his dark hair before turning away.
“It’s fine. No big deal.” Aarav picked up his tea and walked from the room without turning to see if Cash or Sola were following, though they were.
Sola reached out and claimed Cash’s hand, letting him know he was forgiven, at least by her. “Come on. Let’s get you something to eat.”