Page 103 of Point of No Return

“Don’t change the subject. I want details.”

“Last night.”

“Once?”

Red is creeping its way up my neck. “At least… five times.”

“AND?!”

I swat her, and she giggles as she sips from her martini glass. “It was… good.”

“Good,” she parrots. And a million words flood my mind. It’s verging on the best night of my entire life for all the time I spend thinking about it. “Your face says it was better than good.”

She knows me too well not to see right through me. The sex was incredible. The falling asleep- the waking up- was even better. I would do it all again if I could. My stomach lurches at the thought.

If I could…

If only things were that simple. If only I were just a girl… A girl who could afford the luxury of friends, of family, of love. In my world, there’s no room for those kinds of things. I’d be a fool to think otherwise.

“I don’t like that face,” her blue eyes are wandering over me again, but a frown has replaced her smile.

“I-” I start, but for once, I’m at a loss for words.

Time. I’m running out of time: With Skar, with Aleks, with her…

I reach across the bar, grabbing her hands and squeezing tightly as confusion contorts her face. “You’re my best friend. Do you know that?”

She laughs, leaning in and giving me a reassuring squeeze. “Damn right, I am. But what’s going on? Where did you just go?”

I close my eyes, knowing there’s no amount of time that can prepare me for this. “I just… Nothing has ever lasted for me. And… I want you to know that. You’re my best, most beloved friend.”

Her brows pinch together in concern, and tears threaten to spill out of her eyes. “Stop talking like that. I am NOT crying. I just did my makeup.” I grin, full and uncontrollable as she wipes beneath her eyes and smiles at me. “If you think we’re not talking about you and Skar again, you’re so wrong.”

I wonder if she knows she’s probably the only person I won’t fight on the matter. “Okay, okay,” I cave. “But first… I want you to tell me what’s going on between you and Casanova over there. What’s the problem?” I nod across the bar toward the man who’s been casually watching us all evening.

And not because he’s paid to.

Call me paranoid, but I know when I’m being watched. Crew has hardly paid me any attention all evening. His eyes have been focused on Liv.

The light in Liv’s eyes clouds with something else. She purses her lips and downs the rest of her drink in one go. “No.” She’s not meeting my eye anymore, but I note she’s not meeting his either.

“No?” I try just as she slams the glass down and orders another. “Did he kick your dog or something?”

She flips her blonde hair over her shoulders, twirling a piece between her fingers. “I don’t have a problem.” I narrow her a look. “I don’t! Someone kicked his dog! Or something. He obviously blames me for it because he can hardly be in the same room as me without cringing.” She winces. “Or just leaving.”

Both are technically true. But I doubt it has anything to do with disliking her. Or kicking dogs.

“Does that bother you?” I watch her reaction carefully for any sign of not being honest. With me or herself.

She seems to consider her answer. She casts a look over her shoulder, and I know she catches him already looking at her. His face is carefully blank. Whether she knows he’s been watching her all night, I don’t know.

But she looks back at me, sighing. “I might have. Years ago, when I cared about what everyone thought of me.”

“But now?” I press, and her eyes float back to me.

“Now? I’m not really worried about it. If he doesn’t like having me around, that’s his problem.” She smiles sweetly at me. “I’m gonna be around. So.”

I raise my glass between us, and she clinks her own with mine, liquid sloshing over the sides. “Here’s to friends, good drinks, and…”

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