Page 67 of All We Need

“When are you flying toNewYork?”

Her mouth twists to the side. “Iprobably won’t now.They’reforecasting another storm, andIdon’t want to get stuck there.”

Elbows balanced on my knees,Ikeep my voice casual. “Therestaurant is hosting aNewYear’sEveparty.We’vedone it since the first year we opened.Youshould come.Everyoneis.Andby everyone,Imean the whole town.”

If you blink, you’d miss it, but her eyes flit towardMartinin the corner.

ThenI’mreminded of her tense body language and nervous disposition asIwatched her across the table earlier.Loweringmy voice,Iask, “Hassomething happened between you andMartin?”

Eyes wide, she shakes her head. “No.Whywould you ask that?”

I’d be shocked if she said yes.Martinis harmless, and while he’s always been a loner, he’s slowly become more present in the community.

“When you rushed outside…”Mywords trail off whenIsenseAlyclosing herself off.

I’m witnessing the bricks being laid down, one by one.Humoris replaced with a cool stoicism, her go-to defense mechanism.

I don’t want to battle tonight, but it doesn’t meanI’mnot planning to smash through her walls eventually.Ifshe’ll let me, and god,Ihope she does.

It’s insane to want someone that might not want you.Toyearn for a person you were so intent on disliking that the switch in feelings knocks you on your ass.There’sno telling how this is going to end, and it’s likely she’ll turn me away, do what she needs to do, and leave.

The question is:DoIrisk having no part of her at all, or doItry to soak up as much as she’s willing to give?

My answer is clear with my next words.

“Say yes,Silver.Ipromise you’ll have fun.”Ilower my voice so only she can hear. “MaybeI’lllet you kiss me at midnight.”

The scowl she tosses my way lights me up. “Ihaven’t signed off on a party.”

She’s teasing, soIgo along with it. “Tradition.It’llbe bad luck if you don’t come.”

Eyebrow raised, her gaze lowers to my crotch.Herlips brush the shell of my ear and a shiver wracks through me. “Weknowyoudo.”

“Hey, now that’s no?—”

Aly stands abruptly, facing my mom. “Claire, thank you so much for having me.Everyone.”Shelooks around the room. “Ireally appreciate the hospitality.”

A chorus of farewells follows, and without a glance in my direction, she disappears, leaving me speechless.

Something pokes me in the ribs.Lottielooks up at me, eyes innocent.Sheplaces the chef’s hat in my hands. “Sorry,UncleBoo.WhenIgrow up,Iwanna beScaryBossLady.”

That’s whenIlook at my family, all eyes on me.

“Oh,Booth,”Quinnsings cheerfully and claps her hands. “She’sgoing to eat you up and spit you back out.”

I look back at the doorwayAlydisappeared through and murmur, “That’swhatI’mbetting on.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

alessandra

Next year’s resolution:don’t allow attractive chefs to lure you to parties.

Booth wasn’t kidding.Thewhole town is here.Withthe tables pushed aside, people laugh, dance, and drink around the restaurant floor.AmakeshiftDJbooth sits in the corner, blasting ’90s music as the lights from a small strobe burst over the dance floor.

I’m used to fancy galas, so whenIslipped on my little black dress,Ididn’t stop to think the attendees atOurPlace’sNewYear’sEveparty would be in jeans and sweaters.Standingat the entrance, the room’s attention is on me.

Marvelous.

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