Page 111

“That’s Harry, Tarq’s best friend,” said Fiona. “Rupert said they’re taking a gap year before uni.”

“Where is Rupert?” Evie eyed his latest gift, a delicate gold chain circling Fiona’s wrist.

“In the next field, calming the cows. I’ll join him later.”

“You and your boyfriends. Don’t mind this third wheel!” Sunita laughed.

“Sun, you could have any guy here.” Evie unbuttoned her jacket, and a simple camisole in aquamarine peeked through, skimming her stomach-torturing jeans. She reached inside, rescuing the scratchy bra strap slipping off her shoulder.

“Meh.” Sunita shrugged. “I’m done with Orkney dudes.”

“You should snog Harry. Or Tarquin!” Fiona smiled. “Then we’ll all have a Balfour brother!”

“He is cute,” Evie added as he began seamlessly mixing Paul Van Dyk’s ‘Nothing But You’ into ‘Children’ by Robert Miles, his fist pumping the air.

“Nah. He’s our age. I like ’em older like you do.” Sunita grinned approvingly. “I hope you brought condoms, Eves.”

“I did!” She ran her hand down the strap of her crossbody bag then not-so-stealthily yanked the itchy thong panties she’d ordered online out of her butt.

“Evie,” Fiona murmured. “Stop.”

Her stomach flip-flopped with nervous anticipation. “How do I look? Be honest—is my face tragic?”

“Noo,” both friends replied, with Fiona adding, “You look super cute.”

“I don’t want cute. I want sexy.” Evie fidgeted, tugging her misbehaving bra strap back in place again. “Shit, what if I don’t…you know.”

“Relax and it’ll happen, I promise!” said Sunita.

“And if in doubt, follow Nick’s lead. He’ll get you there.” Fiona winked. “I’m so excited for you!”

Sunita grasped Evie tight and rocked her back and forth. “You’re gonna ride Nick’s dick!”

Yeah, no pressure. Evie let out a shaky breath as their hug released.

Up on stage, two brunette go-go dancers joined the festivities, dancing the fuck out of their bedazzled boob tubes, ethereal angel wings, and metallic shorts so tiny their bum cheeks winked at the crowd when they twirled.

“They must be freezing their tits off,” said Sunita, prompting an “I know!” from Evie as Nick and his latest pink shirt made an appearance.

Happiness bubbling up, she squealed and bounced on the balls of her feet, waving so enthusiastically she bonked Sunita in the head. Nick placed beers beside the turntables for Tarquin and Harry, but his gaze didn’t wander, and Evie’s greeting carved the air unseen.

“Ahhh, look at him.” She leered as Tarquin spoke in Nick’s ear, the desire to explore his body, for teasing kisses and toe-curling sucks sparking a dizzying heat between her thighs. “I wanna rip off his clothes and fuck him till he can’t remember his name.”

“That’s more like it!” Fiona laughed, handing an unlit sparkler to Sunita.

Harry boosted the taller of the two angels onto a speaker while the other, all trendy pixie haircut and body glitter, grabbed hold of Nick’s waist.

Evie’s heart buckled along with her smile. “Looks like I’m not the only one.”

Pixie girl’s free hand snared a palmful of Nick’s ass.

“What the hell?” Evie gasped, catching the dancer’s salacious hip grind and an eyeful of blue strobe light. “Shit!” She blinked furiously, fighting the swirly stars blinding her vision. “What’s he doing?!”

“Looking embarrassed.” Sunita huffed. “Jesus, she’s unbuttoning his shirt!”

Peering up, Evie felt sick. “Why doesn’t he push her away?”

“Those Balfour boys, polite to a fault,” said Fiona.