Page 31 of The Rookie

And for once, I’m trying not to be a dick about it.

Her eyes narrow slightly, like she’s reading my mind. “What?”

“Nothing,” I say quickly, grabbing my keys from the nightstand.

“Hmm,” she says, crossing her arms. “I feel like you’re going easy on me since the breakup. Do you actually have a soul?”

“Fine,” I say, standing up and grabbing my jacket. “Just for that, I’m going to try and make out with you on the dance floor tonight. Because what you really need is a rebound. And admit it: I’m perfect rebound material.”

She snorts, shaking her head. “Not in a million years.”

I smirk, opening the door for her. “C’mon, people did say we have ‘married couple’ energy.”

She rolls her eyes, but there’s a flicker of something else in her expression—something she brushes off almost instantly.

“First of all… no, Griffin. Second of all…” She hesitates a beat too long. Then, as if remembering, she adds, “Cassie would kill me. She’d kill both of us.”

I pause, giving her a once-over like I’m considering something serious. Then, in my most casual, deadpan voice, I ask, “So you don’t think I look hot in this shirt?”

Avery blinks.

Her mouth opens, then closes. Then—she laughs, shaking her head as she pushes past me. “Griffin. You’re pushing it, now.”

“I do love to push it.”

Her laugh follows me out into the hallway, light and unexpected, and I can’t help but grin.

Tonight’s going to be a blast.

The cantina is alive with music, laughter, and the kind of energy that makes you forget you’re supposed to be learning things on this trip. Lights strung across the ceiling cast a warm glow over the crowded dance floor, where couples spin and sway to the rhythm of the band playing in the corner.

Avery and I are at the bar, waiting for our drinks. She’s perched on the edge of the stool, her dress catching the light just enough to make me notice how good she looks tonight. Not that I’m going to tell her that.

She’s still nursing her heartbreak over Gavin. I can tell that despite the fact that she dumped him, shedidget attached. She’salways loved hard. So, for some reason, I’ve decided to play the role of her distraction.

“So,” I say, leaning against the bar, “you’re actually having fun tonight?”

She gives me a side-eye glance. “Define fun.”

“Not thinking about Gavin,” I reply.

She rolls her eyes but doesn’t deny it. “Maybe.”

Before I can tease her more, one of our classmates—a guy named Derek, who thinks he’s smoother than he is—sidles up to Avery, his drink sloshing slightly in his hand.

“Avery,” he says, his tone dripping with forced charm. “You look amazing tonight. Heard about your breakup.”

She blinks, caught off guard. “Oh. Thanks, Derek.”

“You should dance,” he adds, stepping closer. “With me.”

I raise an eyebrow, but Avery waves him off, smiling politely. “I’m good, thanks.”

“Aw, come on,” he says, leaning on the bar. “One dance won’t kill you.”

“I’m just…not in the mood. Thanks though.”

“But Avery?—”

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