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“Nah. But we have a booth down here. Y’all should come join us.”

“We’ll think about it,” Liv says, a smirk curving her lips.

“This is new.” I circle my finger around Dru’s bare face. He had a thick beard when I saw him a few days ago. He looks younger without facial hair. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. We’re the same age.

“You feelin’ it?”

I can’t tell if he’s teasing or flirting. He’s never shown any interest in me before. I thought he was into Skylar. Most guys are. “You look aight,” I say, my smile stretching to the max again. Dru isn’t conventionally beautiful, but his swag is mad sexy.

He laughs at my cheeky response. “Dance with me.”

Unlike the godlike bae upstairs, who looks like he can turn a woman out, Dru is more my speed. He’s down-to-earth, funny, friendly, and most of all, he’s safe. I trust Dru, but more importantly, I trust my ability to keep Dru at a comfortable distance. The harder you love, the harder you fall. And who wants to have their heart broken?

You didn’t come here to play it safe, the voice in my head reminds me.

I ignore that voice in my head and take Dru’s hand, feeling tingles up my arm as he leads me to the dance floor.

* * *

Dru and I dance for a few songs before we meet his friends at their booth for tequila shots. As much as I enjoy Dru’s company, I want to explore my surroundings. I’m restless. It isn’t Dru’s fault, but it’s something I refuse to ignore.

“I’m going to go find Sky,” I say to Dru, sliding from the booth.

“Are you sure?” He follows me out of the booth.

“She’s probably still with Isaac,” Esme says, leaning into Dru’s friend, Lance, who has his arm around her.

“Ivan,” Liv corrects.

“I think it’s Ian,” I say.

“You want me to come with you?” Dru takes my hand.

“That’s okay. Stay with your friends. I’ll join up with you later?” It comes out as a question because I don’t want to make any promises.

“Okay. Later.” Dru’s disappointment is palpable when he nods. I feel bad for leaving him but not bad enough to stay.

I text Skylar after leaving Dru’s booth.

Me

Dru’s here. Esme and Liv are with him and his friends. I’m going to go get a drink. Text me if you decide to detach from bae. LOL.

I pocket my phone in my clutch and hang back against a wall next to two girls. “Excuse me.”

The blonde one perks up. “Hi!”

“Does that elevator lead to the rooftop?” I ask, gesturing to the elevator near the entrance.

“It does. We just came from there,” the one with the pink pixie cut says.

“Is it for VIPs only?” Like at the stairs, a large security guard is manning the elevator.

The blonde one sweeps her gaze over me from head to toe. “They’ll let you through.” My skepticism must show because she giggles. “Trust me. You’re hot as fuck.”

“Umm. Thank you,” I say, flattered.

“She’s right,” her friend says. “I’m Tonie, and this is my girlfriend, Amy.”