Page 63 of That Last Secret
“Em, we need you for a picture.” She laughs through her words like she’s had too much to drink. “Avery has the best idea for one with all of us girls. Sorry, Logy,” Kali says, utterly oblivious to what’s happening between us.
I smile sympathetically, and Logan nods in understanding. I want to tell him we can finish this conversation when I get back, but I don’t get the chance to do that.
The same way I didn’t get a chance to tell him I’m ready to just give in.
The entire weddingfeels like a blur.
I couldn’t even find it in me to keep drinking after my dance with Emiline. It’s the most sober I’ve ever been at the end of any wedding I’ve attended. I feel off kilter and should probably have my head examined.
This isn’t fucking me. I’m usually five to six whiskeys deep and taking someone back to my room at the hotel and kicking them out before I fall asleep like the asshole I am.
I was.
Instead, I haven’t been able to keep my goddamn eyes off Emiline.
I’m frustrated beyond belief.
The lights come on in the ballroom, and everyone says goodbye to Thomas and Peyton as they drive off in the getaway car. Marc and Avery follow in a separate car with Thomas’ son, James, because he’s staying with them for the night.
I find myself looking for Emiline, but I feel her before I see her. She comes to a stop next to me with a small rolling suitcase and stops where I wait for a taxi to take me to the hotel I booked for the night so I don’t have to drive back into the city.
“Where are you staying tonight?” she asks.
“I’m just up the road at the Garden Plaza,” I tell her, adjusting the backpack over my shoulder as I try to avoid looking at her. “How about you?”
“Same.”
My head snaps in her direction and I grin. “Interesting.”
Her shoulder bumps me with a laugh. “Don’t be smug. I had no idea anyone else was staying there. It’s a small hotel and the only one I could get at the last minute since I didn’t book until last week.”
“I’m starting to think you’re following me.” I smirk.
Something about being around her evaporates all the frustration I hadabouther throughout the night. I can’t take these feelings back and forth with her.
One minute, I’m telling myself to run away because she’s off limits, and the next, I’m craving and wanting her more than I need to breathe.
“You?” Emiline raises an eyebrow. The sass in her tone right now is so hot. “Never. But I’d be happy to share a taxi with you since we’re going to the same place.”
“I’ll have to think about it,” I joke, tapping my pointer finger on my chin.
The taxi pulls up, and I jump in first while Emiline stands on the curb with her arms crossed over her chest. The smile on my face grows the longer I look at her. I can’t even blame the alcohol right now because I barely had any.
This is all her.
“Are you going to get in?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.
“I was letting you think about it,” she mocks.
“You’re going to be the death of me.”
“I can say the same for you,” she concedes. “I’m only taking this ride with you because I don’t feel like getting in one alone.”
Emiline climbs in the backseat with me, and I can’t help but stare. Even after a night of dancing, she doesn’t look like she even broke a sweat. I want to touch every inch of the exposed skin she has while wearing that dress, too.
When she finally settles in her seat, the slit on the side of her dress shows more skin and I fight myself not to grip her thigh and pull her closer.
“Is that the only reason?” I ask curiously.