Page 48 of One Last Run

"You guys are so lame," Pete said, turning to Danica. "You in?"

"Maybe not for karaoke but I'd have another drink," Danica said, then turned back to Kiera. "Only if you guys think you can get home okay. I could walk you if you want." The condo was nearby, only about a ten-minute walk through Mountain Village's shopping district.

"We'll be fine," Maggie said, rolling her eyes. "But I will take some hand sanitizer if you have it."

Danica dug out the small spray sanitizer she always kept in her purse, spraying everyone's outstretched hands.

"You sure staying is a good choice?" Kiera asked as she and Danica slid out one side of the booth.

"Yeah, it’ll be fine," Danica assured her, giving her a hug as they parted ways. She watched Maggie link arms with Izzy, bumping her shoulder into Kiera as they all walked out of the bar.

"Want to grab a seat on that couch near the fire or at the bar here? It’s kind of busy in here. We could go somewhere else?" Pete asked.

"The couch is fine," Danica pointed. A worn leather couch, its surface softened by years of use, faced a large brick fireplace where warmth radiated into the room. They ordered two Old Fashioneds at the bar and sat down on the couch, keeping a few inches between them. As soon as Danica had taken one sip, she set down her glass and turned to Pete. "Okay, spill what you know about Izzy and Kiera."

Pete groaned. "You really want to talk about Izzy and Kiera?"

Danica raised her eyebrows. "Yeah, obviously. What did Izzy tell you?"

A slow sigh escaped Pete's lips, her mouth twisting to one side in thought as if she was contemplating what to tell Danica. She took another sip of her cocktail, her thumb tapping on thediamond-etched lowball glass. "Okay, it wasn't just one kiss. It was like a full make out. All initiated by Kiera."

Danica's eyes widened in surprise and she leaned closer. "Seriously?"

Pete nodded solemnly. "Yeah, Izzy was pretty sure there was going to be a next time when she originally told me. Maggie had said they were all over each other. Izzy seemed pretty excited about it, and then Kiera just always acted like it never happened. But here's the kicker... Kiera was completely sober."

"What! How do you know she was sober?" Danica asked, her head shaking in disbelief, her eyes wide with shock.

"Both Izzy and Maggie were positive. Kiera had just gotten there and kind of… pounced on Izzy, apparently," Pete said.

"Maybe she pre-gamed?" Danica questioned.

Pete shook her head. “Pre-gamed a party with her own friends? Nah.”

"I can't believe you never told me!" Danica said, smacking Pete's knee.

Pete laughed, reaching to take Danica's hand. "We had more important things to talk about back then." Pete said quietly, leaning in to slide her hand along Danica's cheek, her fingers tangling in Danica's hair as Pete brought her mouth to Danica's, just gently brushing their lips together.

"Yeah, you do have a good point," Danica whispered, her fingertips touching her mouth where Pete's lips had just been. Pete tasted like smooth whiskey and bitter orange and warmth and promise.

Pete reached across the back of the couch, her fingertips idly playing in Danica's hair. "I've missed this."

"Kissing me in crowded bars?" Danica asked.

"Well, yeah. But mostly just... you. I've missed you," Pete said.

Danica smiled into her drink, unable to stop the flush rising on her cheeks. She nodded in agreement. Being near Pete again was as intoxicating as the whiskey in her glass. Danica felt an inexplicable magnetism towards Pete, an unwavering attraction that burned as bright as the flames in the fireplace before them.

Kiera's voice in her head told her she needed to be careful. And Maggie's voice was there, telling her to go for it. That she had nothing to lose. In two days, Pete would go back to Seattle, and she'd go back to Denver, and there'd be no hard feelings. She knew better this time than to expect anything more from Pete than a good time. Just because they weren’t planning a future together didn’t mean they couldn’t enjoy each other's company and many, many talents in the meantime?

Maybe both Kiera and Maggie were right. Maybe it was a bad idea, but maybe it would be fun. She'd spent her entire life making the right choices — making the boring, safe choices. Why did she always have to be responsible? Of all the bad choices she could make, this was still a relatively safe one. No one would get hurt if they weren’t making promises they couldn’t keep.

She curled up closer to Pete, resting against her shoulder as they sipped their drinks in companionable silence.

"I have an idea," Pete said.

"Oh?" Danica tilted her head to look up.

"Do you trust me?" Pete asked, a mischievous smile growing on her lips.

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