Page 64 of Twisted Fate

She narrows her eyes at me. “I’m not going up there.”

“Come on,” I say. “I’m sure you’re great. If you get up there, I’ll buy your next round.”

“Fine. Whatever.” She downs the rest of her drink as an employee finishes getting the microphone ready. She gives him a song, and he nods, looking a bit starstruck as he walks away. She leans over the stage to where the bar is and grabs another beer. Max and I exchange amused glances when she walks back and taps on the mic.

“I’m doing this for the free drink. My coworkers are assholes.” She lifts her beer in the air. “Cheers.”

When the song ends, the entire room roars with whistles and claps. She smirks, tosses her hair back, and hops off the stage, coming back to our table.

She waves the bartender over, and he brings her another drink. “You’re up, Aurora,” she says, grinning like a cat.

I chew on my bottom lip, take another sip of my drink, and then head for the stage. When the music guy looks over at me, I lean away from the mic and pick a song before clearing my throat. Tapping my hand against my thigh to catch the beat, I start singing when the music comes on. My voice echoes through the room, getting louder as I go into the chorus, and the audience claps along. My eyes shut, and the lyrics flow through me. I grip the mic with both hands and sway with the music.

When I open my eyes, I almost stumble going into the last chorus. My eyes lock with Tristan’s where he stands with Max, Skylar, and Oliver. When the hell did he get here?Whythe hell is he here?

The song ends, and the room gives me the same send-off as Skylar, hooting and hollering. I walk toward the stairs and trip over a cable on the stage. I’m heading for the floor—I’m going to fall right off the damn stage—but then Tristan’s arms are there catching me. He hauls me up against him with an amused glint in his eyes.

“Shut up,” I mutter.

“I think the words you’re looking for are ‘thank you,’” he murmurs.

“Not likely.”

“You’re feisty tonight.” His arm tightens around my waist, and parts of me like thatwaytoo much. “I was surprised to hear you left the office with Sky and Max.” His lips brush my ear when he speaks, making my skin tingle.

We shift to the side of the room as another person takes the stage to give karaoke a go, the crowd giving this guy the same attention Skylar and I received.

“They kidnapped me,” I mumble. “That seems to happen a lot around you guys.”

His breath tickles my skin when he chuckles. “That’s because we like you,” he says in a low voice. “Let me get you out of here.” The idea that he’s offering to save me from Max and Skylar makes me smile.

“I can’t,” I say. “Skylar wants me to work in the morning. We still have a lot to do for the gala.”

“You’re going to spend time with Skylar on a weekend?” The glint in his eyes makes it look as if he almost doesn’t believe me. Playful Tristan makes me giddy as a freaking teenager. Seeing him outside of the office, away from the constant fae issues he’s forced to deal with, it’s nice. Normal. Part of me is attracted to the mystery of him, but I find myself craving moments like these where I can look at him without seeing the leader of the dark fae and just see Tristan.

“I am.”

“Stay at the hotel. You’ll be an elevator ride away from the office in the morning.” He squeezes my hip, making my breath catch.

“If I say yes...” My voice trails off. I don’t know what to say next.

“Say yes,” he whispers.

Part of me is nervous, but another part feels I owe it to myself—the constant thoughts of Tristan, the way my body responds to him—to explore what this might be. My cheek grazes his chest as I tilt my head up to meet his gaze. “Okay,” I say.

He slips his arm from around my waist and grabs my hand, lacing his fingers through mine as we approach the table.

“You done feeling her up?” Skylar quips.

Tristan smirks at me. “Not nearly.”

“I’m going to head out,” I cut in. “Tonight was...fun.” I pull out enough money to cover the drinks.

“Damn, blondie, you’re packing the cash. We have to bring you out more often.” Ha. I wish I were ‘packing the cash.’ I’d gotten lucky when my parents sent me some money for food, most of which I just spent on booze I didn’t drink.

I laugh, giving Oliver a quick hug. “Goodnight, guys.”

“You better be in the office by nine tomorrow morning,” Skylar grumbles.

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