Page 25 of The Himbo and the Lord

Last time I saw him was eight years ago, I think, and I got into alotof trouble since I drank my weight in whiskey with Seth right next to me.

Our parents were not amused, but Chase was.

So I like him.

“That’s great.”

“Yeah,” Kit agrees and turns quickly back to Axel. “So, you were telling me where we should go tonight?”

I tune out again. Our master planner will surely get everything he wants from our instructor since they both look beyond eager, so there’s no need to worry about it.

Especially when I see them exchange numbers once we’ve stored the boards where Axel tells us and are all dressed and ready to cross the boardwalk to where our driver is waiting for us.

“See you tonight,” Kit says in his adorably eager way as he starts crossing the street.

Thankfully, Tony takes a good hold of his arm and makes sure he’s not run over by a driver minding their own business.

And once we’re in the van, it’s game on.

“Oh Axel.” I start off the teasing. “What should we do tonight?”

Kit goes instantly red all over, and Tony and Seth back me up straight away.

This is more like it.

* * *

Hours later,we’re in that very club.

Kit’s practically giving Axel a lap dance while Tony’s down by the main bar, entertaining a group of five girlfriends who are all laughing at his antics and look happy enough.

Seth’s living his best life too, dancing sandwiched between a woman and a man. I savor every second as well as every sip of my beer.

After the scare this afternoon when I was struck by the thought that it would all be taken away from me before I’m ready, I’m determined to stop thinking about Ru more than ever.

What happened, happened.

I had two amazing nights with him, but so what?

What does it matter if I’ve never felt more comfortable or comforted by someone’s presence—by a stranger’s presence?

What does it matter that he made me laugh while we were fucking and while we weren’t?

The peace he made me feel just by being near is surely something I can find with someone else, right?

With someone who I have a shot at seeing again.

All I need to focus on right now is my friends.

They come over right then—almost as if they choreographed it—and join me at our table with their conquests.

They introduce everyone to the newcomers and we keep the party going.

I smile while beating myself up over how much time I wasted these past few days, hoping and wishing I could see Ru just one more time...

“What?” I mutter as a man in a suit grabs my attention. He’s walking determinedly toward the VIP section, and when the lights flicker on his face I actually fucking gasp.

Fuck, this isn’t good.

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