Page 52 of Love, Luck & Clusterf*ck

Fuck this. I walked over and stood behind them. “I’ll see that she gets home okay.” All eyes were on me, even Perry’s as she blinked slowly. “Does that work for you, Adam?”

He raised his hands in surrender. “Sure thing, boss.”

Kate crouched down and whispered something. Perry wouldn’t stop staring at me, and I fucking liked it too much.

“Okay, I can do this,” Perry mumbled and seemed to sober up justenough to get upright with Kate’s assistance. I’d give almost anything at that point to know what she’d whispered to her.

“Grab hold of my arm, Perry,” I said.

“I’m not as think as you drunk I am.”

“What?”

“Ha! I’ve always wanted to say that.”

“Just grab on, okay?”

She sighed, then wrapped her hands around my forearm. I sucked in a breath. I liked her touch. I liked it a lot.

“You sure you want to do this, man?” Alex said quietly.

“I’m just making sure she gets home all right.” I smacked his chest with my free hand. “Now help me out. Can you grab her purse for me?”

“Sure. It’s just my color too.” He slung it over his shoulder and struck a pose, causing Perry to start giggling again.

“You’re funny,” she said. “Who are you?”

“Alex’s the name. Making pretty ladies laugh’s my game.”

Which of course brought on more laughter. I shot him a look. This wasn’t his act. He was doing this shit on purpose.

“He’s just a good friend of mine, Perry, and he’ll be coming with us.”

After goodbyes and curious looks that I shrugged off, the three of us exited. “Think you’ll be fine if I drop Alex off first? He’s closer.” And even if he weren’t, I’d still drop him off first.

“How do you know that?” she said. “You don’t know where I live.”

“Yes, I do. It’s in the file.”

“Oh. Well, I live on 31stover by Lucky’s.”

“Yes, I know.”

She inhaled deeply. “I feel so much better out here. I guess I just needed air. You can have your arm back now.” She let go of me and immediately wobbled.

I put her hands back. “It’s not much farther. Hold on, please. Idon’t want you falling on the pavement.” Just because she sounded better didn’t mean she’d be walking a straight line any time soon.

“Okay, Mr. Davidson.”

“It’s Stephen, Perry. I’ve told you that. And we’re not at work, remember?”

Her eyes flicked up, and she seemed to ponder what I’d said. Then she nodded. “Okay, Stephen.”

“Can I call you Mr. Davidson?” Alex said in a husky voice. “It sounds so authoritative.”

Laughter from both sides. I gave him another ‘shut it’ look, but he appeared to be having way too much fun to pay attention. I knew him—he was going to fuck with me for not being upfront about Perry. But I didn’t intentionally hold anything back. How could I do that when I didn’t fucking know anything myself?

“Huh. This is yours?” she asked when we came to my truck.

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