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“Nope. I missed Mom’s stash from middle school. God help me, I don’t blame her for running.”
I let my head fall back, laughing as Brady continued to move me around. “You poor thing.”
Brady grinned and then spun me out and back again. Between the alcohol and the high heels, I stumbled just a bit on my return. Brady caught me easily, his brows drawing together as he looked down at me.
“I’m sorry. Come here. Let’s sit down.”
“No, it’s okay. Just a clumsy moment.” I patted his arm, savoring the simple strength of his chest against my side.
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure. Just let me slide out for a moment.”
“Okay. Want me to get Ashlyn?”
“Sure, that’d be great.”
I slipped to a quiet corner of the room as the party continued to pick up pace. Sitting down in one of the window seats, I reached down and poked at my ankle experimentally. Just as I figured, it was totally fine. Just the klutz that I really was.Smooth move, Cici.
“Cici, are you okay?” Ashlyn dropped into the seat beside me, wide blue eyes worried as she stared at me.
“Oh, I’m fine. Brady is overreacting.” I swatted her worry out of the air. Quickly. Because it was very tempting. I glanced up to see Brady chatting with Liam, but more than once, his gaze found mine.
Ashlyn stared. “Um, excuse me, ma’am. Brady? You’re calling him Brady now?”
“Mr. Martinez. Whatever.” I glared at my niece, who giggled loudly.
“Well,Bradyis very worried. He asked if he needed to take you home.”
I rolled my eyes, crossing my legs demurely. “He clearly doesn’t hang around with us enough if he thinks that little stumble was significant.”
“That’s the truth. Aren’t those the same things that nearly broke me a few months ago?”
“But didn’t Liam come sweep you off your feet? You really should be thanking them.”
“Oh my God, what if the shoes are magical matchmaking shoes? Maybe Brady is your Liam?”
I stared blankly at her.
Ashlyn shrugged. “Okay, okay. I get it. But you know, it’s not a horrible idea to start heading out. We are wrapping up here. Did you drive?”
“No way.” I pointed at my mom. “But Mom? We need to get her back to the hotel.”
“Liam already called a car for her and my mom.”
“Oh, well, isn’t he fancy,” I said, the bite in my words surprising both of us. Ashlyn gave me a hard look. I immediately felt guilty. “I’m sorry. I’m just being a bum. Mom will love it.”
“She’s really excited.”
“Good.”
“You know, Liam said he’s a really great person.”
I played dumb. “Who?”
“You know who. Why not just see what happens?”
“You know why.”
