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“I guess we’re walking.”
“I’m so sorry, Brett. Raven, I’m so—” I drag her out of the shop because the less we say, the better. People are still staring, but most are back to walking and sightseeing.
Iain looks at me. “You need a ride to pick up her car?”
“Nah, we’re fine.” I take her cold hand, and we start walking.
“I’ll drop it off later on.” He nods, arms crossed as he waits.
Alex shakes her head, leaning in close to me. “I’m mortified. I literally don’t know what came over me. I think I—”
“Alex, that time I told you to steal the bikini, I paid for it. It was all for the rush. I would never put you in danger.”
She stops and pulls her hand away. “What?” Her eyes are huge now as if the pieces are all falling into place.
“Yes.” I let out a laugh. “But fuck, baby, you even got my heart pumping today.”
And her eyes, which one second ago looked guilty, now flash like emerald-green lasers.
“Are you kidding me?” She takes her bag and slaps me with it as Jett drives by slowly, honks, and flips us off while Raven sadly waves.
“Oh my God, perfect, they hate me.” She points at the Ferrari, but I grab her, pulling her into my arms so I can bury my nose in her neck and inhale her coconut scent.
“Forget them. Let’s go get some lunch. We can watch your brother. Isn’t he playing today?” I smile into her neck, trying to lighten this whole situation. Lifting my head, I rub my nose back and forth on hers.
“You want to eat after what just happened?”
“Yeah, I’m starving.” I grin as people walk around us.
“Let’s go eat some bar food, drink, and cheer on Ohio State, then you can sit on my face.” I move forward, taking her hand.
“Brett.” She slaps at me, laughing, and my heart aches.
Christ, what the hell? I feel like a fucking teenager. Just one laugh, a smile from her ruby lips, and the world feels right. The sun does shine brighter, and it has everything to do with her.
ALEXANDREA
“You know how to play pool?” Brett looks back at me as we enter a swanky billiards room. It’s completely in red: the walls, carpet, tables, even the ceiling.
“Yeah, I had one in the basement growing up,” I say, distracted by all the TVs that seem to be everywhere, playing sporting events from around the world.
“Really?” He arches a dark brow at me, and I give up, just accepting the way my heart leaps and my stomach flutters when I look at him.
Even in his dress slacks and wrinkled, untucked dress shirt, with his hair standing up, he’s hot. God, he might actually look better like this.
“Pick a table that has the Ohio State game on.” He motions to the row of TVs. “I’m gonna order us some food.” My gaze follows him as he weaves his way to the bar, where there are no seats available. It’s all one line of people on barstools, drinking and watching a game.
I take a breath and slowly head toward the back, which is actually full. A bunch of guys are at one table, an older man has another, and a couple of women sit over on the other side, not playing pool but drinking as their kids play on their iPads.
Taking a seat at an empty high-top table, I wait for Brett. I look down at my shoes. The fabric almost sparkles when the light catches it the right way.
“God.” I’m cringing. I mean, what happened? It was like a gremlin took over my brain. Poor Raven will probably never be able to go back to Jimmy Choo, and with the way Jett looked at me, I’m assuming I’ll never see her again. I rub my forehead. It’s like I’m spiraling. I should have stayed home and finished my English paper. Clearly, I can’t be trusted to go outside. The only person who accepts me and thinks it’s funny is apparently Brett, but he’s the reason I’m in this situation. I never in a million years thought to shoplift for fun before. Jesus, what if they had arrested us? Jett looked mad enough earlier; he might have lost it completely.
“Alex.” Brett’s voice prompts me to look up. He sets two drinks and a round beeper thing down.
“You need to let this go, okay?” His fingers go under my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his.
“I feel really guilty about Raven. She’s probably never going to be able to shop at Jimmy Choo again.”
