"I look forward to it."
"And for tonight," he says.
"Additional plans?"
"Oh yeah."
"I never took you for the planning type," I say.
"I guess you don't know everything about me."
ChapterTwenty-Four
IMOGEN
As we park, Patrick gives me the quick rundown of the dynamic at Luna's party.
In theory, the party is in her boyfriend, Oliver's, honor. Since Oliver and his best friend, Holden, were visiting Oliver's sister, Daisy at Berkeley. (Like me, she's staying to take summer courses).
Daisy is also Holden's girlfriend and Luna's best friend.
There's a lot of in-dating, apparently. Holden and Daisy got together first, on a four-person birthday trip to Mexico. That, understandably, made Oliver upset. (I should object to him deciding who his sister should date on feminist grounds, but, as an older sibling, I get it. Apparently, Holden was known for not taking things seriously, especially relationships).
Then, a little while later, when Luna's parents announced their divorce, she ran to her best friend Daisy's place for comfort. A sort of habit, since they were old friends. Only things were different now. They were in college, Luna at UCLA, Daisy at Berkeley, and who was at their house but Oliver, Daisy's brooding older brother.
Apparently, he promised Daisy he'd stay in their childhood home for her first year of school, so he always knew where to find her. He did. Even after Daisy discovered their relationship. (She took it in stride, apparently).
But Luna didn't stay. She went back to her parents' place. They're crazy rich. Rich enough, they don't need to sell the house to split assets in the divorce. One of her moms (she has two moms) is using her newfound freedom to travel the world (she and Luna are touring Southeast Asia together in August).
Her other mom works all the time, so she's not usually here.
And Mom agreed to a small party, as long as we keep things relatively quiet. And no underage drinking, of course. Which would normally be a non-starter at a party of twenty-somethings, only Luna's boyfriend, Oliver, is a recovering alcoholic.
Patrick tells me more, but I don't absorb it. I nod, I double-check my top (now in place), I follow him to the house.
It's a gorgeous place. Modern and huge (by Southern California standards) with a perfect mix of clean white and bold color. Red pillows, orange throws, canary yellow mugs.
We move through the empty, and impeccably clean, living room, to the bustling backyard.
That, too, is the perfect mix of modern and homey. Orange patio chairs, glass table, string lights and lanterns illuminating the space.
There are only a handful of people here and no one is visibly drunk.
It's not the night of debauchery I imagined. It's actually kinda… nice.
"Hey." Luna jumps to her feet when she sees us. "Thanks for delivering my new best friend, Tricky. And thanks for these, Imogen." She takes the bottle of tonic water, sets it on the patio table, and pulls me into a hug.
He nods hello. Excuses himself to the bathroom, to wash up, after getting me off.
Fuck, I'm hot. Even though it's a cool evening. Even though I'm in front of a teammate. Especially because I'm in front of a teammate.
I'm a filthy pervert.
Who knew?
"Won't your current best friend get jealous?" I release her and redirect my thoughts to less dirty places. Say, anywhere.
"She's not here." She motions to the quiet groups of people mingling. "No adorable blonde with a look that says 'it's time to leave and go read.'"