Page 15 of Midnight Wishes

Before her wine-addled brain could make any decisions she would regret, she sent a glance towards the guests of honour, who were nominally engaged in a group conversation, but seemed more focussed on each other than anything being said.

‘I’m gonna call it a night.’ She downed the rest of her glass before swiping through her phone, quickly calling an Uber. ‘I’m assuming those two aren’t going anywhere. Will you tell them I’ve left?’

‘You know, they wouldn’t notice if you came upstairs now.’ Alex lowered his voice unbearably. ‘You were coming back here in the morning anyway. Saves you a trip.’

And then, Sarah snapped. ‘You’re a real fucking piece of work, you know that? I’ve let you carry on with the flirting and innuendo. I was prepared to ignore you hooking up with one of Abby’s friends in the middle of the party, despite what she asked you. But you’re seriously trying to getmeto fuck you less than an hour later?’

Amusement filled Alex’s eyes. ‘You’ve been watching me.’

‘You’re a loud, braying ass who’s impossible to ignore,’ Sarah shot back. ‘Try to be a little more subtle next time you screw one of your future sister-in-law’s friends.’

She realised her mistake as a smile spread across his face, sharp and seductive.

‘Oh, I will,’ he said. ‘But for your peace of mind, I went to check on Celine. She—I didn’t even get her name—cornered me and propositioned me. I said no. She went into the bathroom to freshen up. I came back downstairs.’

That explained how he’d reappeared so quickly. Irritation still flickered through her. She’d shown her hand by lettinghim know she’d been noticing his whereabouts. She wasn’t even touching the fact that part of her had, ever so briefly, considered saying yes to him. ‘Even so, what part ofnot happeningdid you not understand?’

She crossed her arms, and Alex’s lips twitched in response. Though surely she imagined the way they tightened slightly when her phone buzzed in her hand.

‘I’ll walk you out.’

‘No, you won’t.’ Sarah was already stomping towards the front hall. She’d text Zoe from the car to tell her she’d left.

‘There’s a trick with the front door.’ OfcourseAlex was right behind her, because his eight-mile-long legs seemed to take one step for every five of hers. He hovered at the door while she found her bag in the jumble of coats on the rack, then opened the front door effortlessly, no tricks needed. Her responding glare was met with a shrug.

‘You look gorgeous tonight,’ he murmured as she walked past. ‘And Princess?’ Alex laid a hand on her arm. ‘I’ll remind you I paid for all the alcohol you drank. And I can live with you pitying me.’

His reference to their conversation inside hit her as she touched the door to her Uber, and when she turned back, hating herself as she did, she found him leaning against the doorframe, looking smug as hell. Then the fuckerwinked, and she flung herself into the car.

Less than a minute later, her phone buzzed again.

Alex: Let me know when you’re home.

Chapter 8

SARAH

Guilty Pleasure | Chappell Roan

As she navigatedthe underground far too early the following morning, it became more difficult to remember why she’d opted out of staying at Alex’s house the night before. It might have been worth avoiding that particular torment.

But since Zoe was stuck at a team building event—on aSaturday, just another reminder that being self-employed was the right decision—Abby had secured the rights to Alex’s car so they didn’t have to take the train. And that meant Sarah agreeing to breakfast at his house before they continued on to Watford to check the progress on their dresses.

Sarah mentally steeled herself for encountering him again, in front of the one person who could always see through her, no less. He’d agreed to keep their secret, sure, but if he kept up the flirting, at some point people would become suspicious.

Not to mention how deeply annoying it was.

Sarah had wondered why Erik spent half his life at Alex’s house instead of simply moving into their flat—she had offered—but by the time she was on her second cup of rich, exquisite coffee, watching Abby whisk a large bowl of eggs for French toast, then prep fresh berries, ricotta, and honey, she was beginning to understand. Life at Alex’s seemedgood. Even better, considering the man in question wasn’t around. Apparently lengthy Saturday morning runs were his norm.

The quiet click of claws on hardwood grew louder moments before Celine slipped into the kitchen.

‘Shit, sorry, I should have put her in her room before—’ Abby broke off as she turned to find the dog, not quite nuzzling Sarah’s hand, but at the very least giving it a friendly sniff. ‘It took herweeksto touch me like that.’ Hurt coloured her friend’s tone.

Sarah shrugged, even if a small part of her glowed with pleasure at being chosen in some way. ‘She doesn’t go running with them?’

Abby shook her head. ‘She’s still a little young. Alex will take her for something shorter later.’ Her mouth was still turned down in the corners, and Sarah sought to assuage her.

‘This is probably from you and Maggie wearing her down. She was pretty calm when she met me last night too.’

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