Page 72 of here

Brandon: Don’t you dare run.

My pulse thrums in my ears. Stay. Such a simple command, but it holds so much weight.

“Who ya texting?” Serena slings an arm around my shoulders, peering at my screen. “Ooh, is that lover boy again?”

I quickly lock my phone, shoving it in my pocket. “No one. It’s nothing.”

“Let’s get back to Blake.”

Serena practically drags me back to our table, where Blake’s staring at her phone, her jaw clenched tight enough to crack teeth. Red flags everywhere.

“B?” I approach her.

“Let’s dance.” She shoves her phone in her purse, grabbing both our hands.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Just need to move.” Blake throws herself into the music like she’s trying to forget something or someone. Her movements are wild, almost desperate.

Did she take something?

“Come on, NayNay.” Blake grabs my hips, forcing me to move.

She’s definitely taken something, the glazed look in her eyes is a dead giveaway. Serena bounces beside us, champagne sloshing over the rim of her glass as she sways.

I let my body follow Blake’s lead, matching her rhythm.

The strobe lights flash, painting Blake’s face in alternating shadows and neon. Is she?—

Muscular arms haul me backward into someone’s solid chest.

My body recognizes him before my brain does, and I hate how it responds, melting in his embrace like it’s muscle memory.

“Having fun, cupcake?” His hands span my hips, guiding my movements to match his. It’s intimate, possessive, and everything we’re not supposed to be.

Blake spots us. “Look who decided to crash girls’ night.”

“Couldn’t resist.” His breath tickles my ear. “After those texts.”

What was I thinking?

He turns me in his arms and grabs my chin, tilting my face up. “You’re drunk.”

“And?” I grin, swaying to the music. “That’s kind of the point of girls’ night.”

His jaw tightens, that muscle ticking in his cheek. But instead of arguing, he just shakes his head and turns to Blake. “I’ll get her home.”

Blake winks at me. “You better.”

I stumble over to Serena first, wrapping her in a hug that’s probably too tight. “Love you.”

“Text me when you’re home,” she whispers in my ear. “Or when you’re getting laid. Either works. And don’t forget the details.”

I snort, pushing her away. When I reach Blake, she pulls me close, her grip fierce.

“Be careful, NayNay.” Her words are soft enough that even I almost miss them. “With everything.”

I squeeze her back. “I will.”

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