In a line, blocking the entire street, are ten brand-new Mercedes. “Noah, what?” I turn to him as he starts handing out keys.
“As a thank you. I know it’s been hard recently. The cars are yours, free to do whatever you want with.” Everyone gets a key, even Sky, before he turns to me. “Follow me.” Taking my hand, he nods at Conan, who goes with Evan. “Oh, follow the GPS and the address Ialready inputted!” Noah shouts as he pulls me away and around the corner. There, with a giant bow on the hood, is an Aston Martin Vulcan painted in the same colors as his.
“Wait, isn’t this yours?” I whisper as he hands me the key. He knows it’s my dream car, and he’s tried to give it to me a million times, but I always turn him down.
“Nope, yours. Now we both have one, couple cars.” He grins. “Come on, baby, get in. We have places to be.” He opens the door for me and waits. “Noah, I can’t take this car?—”
“If you don’t, I’ll buy five of them and just keep giving them to you until you have a garage full.” He raises his eyebrow. “Baby, I’m rich enough to give you anything in the world, and I will spoil you however I want. Now get your pretty ass in the car.”
I slowly shuffle to the driver’s seat and sit, the leather curving around me, and he shuts my door before climbing in. When I fire up the engine, it purrs to life. “You’re insane,” I murmur, even as I stroke the wheel. “I would demand you take it back, but I want it. Thank you, my love.”
Hitting the navigation button, he leans over and kisses my cheek. “Always. Now let’s have fun.”
I follow the directions, and it doesn’t take long. When we pull up outside of Bluebell, I look at him. It’s a local club that’s always busy. It’s dive bar meets elegance, making it one of the hippest spots. “Don’t tell me you rented this entire place.”
“Don’t be silly,” he replies as he gets out, and I copy him. “I bought it.”
He wasn’t kidding. Noah bought the entire club. Music plays, but the only guests are our team and friends. Lally and Alice are here, pressed together on the dance floor, their eyes only for each other. Even Skylar’s friend Sanjay is here. The drinks flow, and music pumps through the air.
“I can’t believe you bought this place,” I murmur into his ear as wesit in the booth. Conan swings Clarke around the floor, and I keep my eyes on them, smiling at how happy he looks to be involved.
“Eh, our people needed a place to let loose. It will pay for itself. Besides, I should invest wisely. Technically, though, it’s in your name.” I stare at him, and he smiles. “What? I’m just protecting your future. I also transferred the garage over to you as well, so we are part owners.”
“Noah!” I slap him, but he just grins and sips his drink. “Tell me you’re joking.”
“Nope, you’re now a silent owner of Starfire.” He shrugs. “Baby, if you thought I wasn’t going to give you everything in the world, then you are dumber than you act. Now come on, drink and dance. Nothing else matters tonight, just our friends and celebrating.”
Taking the glass, I down it, the alcohol burning my throat. “This isn’t the end of this discussion,” I warn as I point in his face and down another shot he pushes at me. “But fine, for tonight.”
“Come on, Mackie.” Skylar grabs me, tugging me to my feet. “Dance with me.”
He drags me all the way to the dance floor, where Evan is already in Alek’s arms. Bones is at the bar, and he waves at Skylar as he swings me around. Laughing, we dance and play as Bones appears, passing us both drinks. Conan drapes his arm around me and pulls me back, rolling his hips to the music, so I lean back into him, dancing and letting go.
The drink in my hand is taken, and my eyes open to meet Noah’s dark gaze. He downs it as he looks at me, passing it off before his hand drops to my hips, and he presses closer, sandwiching me between him and Conan as he grinds to the music.
Desire burns through me, old memories flashing through my mind, and he grins like he knows my thoughts. Sliding my hands up his chest, I lean back into Conan and close my eyes, dancing while trying to ignore the desire. I sense people watching, and I hear whistles and cheers, but I flip them off as we dance until my feet hurt, and then I collapse back into the booth with the others.
Sanjay is at the DJ booth now, making us laugh as he mixes weirdsongs, and when I reach over to grab another drink, so does Evan, and I freeze. He stops, his eyes widening before he snatches his hand back.
“Skylar!” I yell sloppily. He blinks, pulling his face from Bones’s neck. “Hand!” I yell, and he grabs Evan’s hand.
“Is that a ring?” he shouts, and every gaze turns to Evan, whose eyes are wide, his cheeks red, but he looks at Alek, who appears smug.
“Wait, wait, did you propose?” I exclaim.
“It’s about time, brother!” Skylar yells.
“Don’t, it was so sappy and weird to watch,” Lally grumbles.
“Lally!” Evan protests.
“Sorry, forgot it was a secret.” She winks at Evan before dragging Alice onto her lap.
“It isn’t a secret,” Evan admits. “We just didn’t want to steal anyone’s thunder. This celebration is about you guys, so we were going to tell you after. Alek proposed, and I said yes. We’re getting married.”
It’s quiet for a moment, and then we lunge across the table, the alcohol making us all a little sloppy as we congratulate them. When we’ve calmed down, Noah leans over. “Congratulations to you both. Let me know whatever time you need off. We’ll shut the garage so everyone can attend.”
“Thank you.” Alek nods as he looks around. “We want you all in the wedding once we’ve figured it out. We really didn’t want to take over your night.”
