She smiles, just a little. "I probably look ridiculous."
"You don't." Not even close.
I rest my hand against the small of her back as we head toward Perdition. She hesitates just inside the door, eyes wide at the noise and the crowd. I don't rush her. She leans into my touch, then nods. I keep my hand there, guiding her through, thumb brushing her sweater. She drifts closer.
When we reach the table I pull out her chair. "Here you go, Buttercup." Then drop into the seat beside her. Funny. I usually filled silence. Around her, I didn't feel like I had to.
Cole pushes away from the table. "What're we drinking?"
He takes everyone's orders, then looks at Lucy. "And what can I get you?"
She blinks, then looks at Scarlett. "I've… never had a drink before. My dad never would've allowed it."
The table quiets. Tessa reaches across. "There's nothing wrong with that, sweetheart."
I look at Cole. "Rum and Coke."
He nods. "Good choice."
Buttercup turns to me. "Is it good?"
"It's sweet. You'll like it." I shrug. "If you don't, we'll figure something else out. Worst case, I drink it."
She laughs. "I guess that's a pretty safe backup plan."
Cole points at me. "Beer for the giant. Rum and Coke for Buttercup." Then he heads to the bar.
Buttercup watches him go before leaning a little closer to me. "You really think I'll like it?"
"I do."
Her shoulders finally relax. She smiles at me, and my hand settles against the back of her chair, fingers brushing her shoulder. She scoots her chair a little closer. Nobody says a word about it. They don't have to.
NINE
LUCY
The musicin Perdition pulses low and warm around us, mixing with laughter and the clink of glasses. I’m sitting beside Tiny, my second rum and Coke in my hand. The first one went down sweeter than I expected, fizzy, smooth, with that gentle burn spreading through my chest like liquid sunshine. This one tastes even better. My cheeks feel warm, my head light in a way I’ve never felt before. I don’t think I’m drunk, maybe a little buzzed, and really, truly happy for the first time in longer than I can remember.
Tiny’s arm rests along the back of my chair, his fingers occasionally brushing my shoulder when he leans in to hear me over the noise. Every touch sends little sparks across my skin. The whole group is here. Scarlett cracking jokes, Cole and Tessa trading playful jabs, the twins throwing in ridiculous stories that have me laughing until my sides hurt. Hadley keeps shooting me these encouraging little smiles, like she knows exactly how new and overwhelming this all feels.
Tiny Laughs beside me, low and warm. His eyes crinkle at the corners when he smiles like that. “Easy there, Buttercup. You feeling okay?”
I nod, maybe a little too enthusiastically. The room tilts just a tiny bit, but it’s nice. Everything feels softer around the edges. “I feel floaty and warm. Like I could talk forever and never run out of words.”
Scarlett laughs. “That’s the buzz talking.”
Tiny watches me carefully, but there’s no judgment in his eyes. Only this steady protectiveness that makes my stomach flutter. When I reach for my glass again, he slides a water in front of me first. “Drink some of this too. Trust me.”
I do, and the cool water feels perfect against the warmth in my cheeks. He’s been like this all night, making sure I eat the fries someone ordered, checking in with me, keeping me close without smothering me. Every time I laugh too hard and sway a little, his hand settles lightly on my back to steady me. It feels so good to be taken care of like this. Not controlled. Just cared for.
“You’re glowing,” he murmurs against my ear at one point, his voice rough and soft all at once. “Looks good on you.”
My face heats even more. I lean into him, the buzz making me brave. “I like it here. With all of you, especially you.”
His fingers trace a slow circle on my shoulder. “Good. Because I like you here too.”
Eventually the crowd starts to thin. Tiny glances at the time on his phone, then at me. “Getting late, Buttercup. Are you ready to head home?”
