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One eyebrow rises as she wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. Natalie knows I don’t drink much. I’ve never had more than one beer.

And if I’m drinking, there’s an implication I won’t be driving tonight. That I’ll be spending the night.

“You want some?”

There’s some compulsion around Natalie, to do things I wouldn’t ordinarily do. To surprise her—and myself. I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or not. I don’t seem to have any control over it either way.

I hold her gaze as I reach out and grab the neck of the glass bottle. As I raise the circular opening to my lips and drink some of the clear contents.

It burns—the whole way down.

Natalie laughs at whatever expression I make.

“Fuck.” I cough.

“Was that really your first time?”

I take another swig of tequila before answering, knowing she’s not talking about the liquor. “Yeah.”

“Do you want to do it again?”

“Yes.”

She nods. Pops another piece of sushi in her mouth and follows it with more tequila. “It was, by the way.”

“Was what?”

“You asked if the sex was okay. It was more than okay.”

I’m not sure what to say to that, so I opt for nothing. I don’t want to be the dick fishing for compliments. I was genuinely asking before. And it couldn’t have been that bad if she’s interested in a repeat.

She finishes the sushi and I polish off the rest of the pizza. Natalie lies down as soon as she’s finished eating, her blonde hair fanning across the blue blanket.

I lie back as well, the bottle of tequila planted like a sentry between us. I can feel the alcohol taking effect, warming my blood, and loosening my muscles. Erasing worries and inhibitions.

It’s a clear night. Every star in the sky is visible, twinkling against a black canvas.

“The world looks really big from here.”

“Yeah,” I agree. “It does.”

When I glance over, she’s propped up on one elbow, looking at me. I stare back, memorizing her face in the moonlight. “The guys call you Sergeant Stevens, you know.” She reaches out, running one finger between my eyes and down the bridge of my nose. “You’re always so serious.”

“You’re the only person I talk to from Alleghany,” I reply. “So if you didn’t tell me, assume Idon’tknow.”

Natalie rolls her eyes. “It’s a compliment, okay? The Glenmont team followed you like you were leading them into war.”

“I had a lot to lose. And to prove.”

Her hand falls from my face. I grab it before she moves away any farther, tangling our fingers on the blanket.

Natalie looks down at our joined hands.

“Nothing is going to change, Liam.”

“I know.”

“I don’t date guys from Glenmont.”

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