Page 74 of Stroke of Fate

“You don’t have to ask me twice.” I spin us both back toward the car.

“Bear, is that you?” A female voice calls out, and we both freeze.

I release a low groan.

God, why me?

“Guess we’re busted.” Bear giggles, tugging on my hand.

My feet reluctantly follow as she leads us to her friends.

They take turns hugging before Bear makes introductions.

“Levi, you know Macy.”

“Nice seeing you again,” I say, and Macy shoots me a small smile.

“And this is Elsie,” Bear says, gesturing to her other friend.

“Nice to meet you, Levi. Bear said you brought friends for us.” Elsie wiggles her brows up and down.

“Elsie,” Macy groans.

“What?” Elsie grins. “Bear said he did.”

“I did not say foryouspecifically,” Bear laughs. “Mack is down by the bonfire, right?” Her eyes turn to me for confirmation.

“Yeah, and Austin and Sam—they’re twins—should be here too,” I tell them.

“Macy is a twin, too!” Elsie chimes in excitedly.

“That’s right, where is your brother?” Bear asks, her gaze drifting in the direction they came from.

Macy shrugs, crossing her arms. “Somewhere around here. He ditched us for his friends.”

“Did anything more happen after the smoothie incident?” Bear asks, tilting her head in Elsie’s direction.

I’m not exactly sure what she means, but the three of them do, launching into conversation. I hang back a few steps, letting the trio walk and talk.

Occasionally, Bear glances over her shoulder, catching my eye, and I offer her a reassuring grin. I’d much rather have her next to me all night, but if it means seeing the happy look on her face as she chats and giggles with her friends, I’ll happily take a back seat.

It doesn’t take long to reach the clearing where the bonfire is. We stop by the area where all the alcohol is in coolers and kegs. Bear says something to her friends before strolling toward me.

She’s kept the denim skirt on but swapped her tank top for a tight, long-sleeved shirt that stops short of her navel, exposing a sliver of golden skin. She seems oblivious to the stares from the guys lingering near the kegs.

Her body is a pulpit, every one of these douchebags would kill to worship, but her eyes are only on me.

Something tightens in my chest, knowing she’s here with me.

“What are you in the mood for?” I ask, digging through the drinks until I find a bottle of water for myself.

“I’ll have water too, please.”

“Not drinking tonight?” I ask, handing Bear a bottle.

“I’m trying to take it a little slower after the last party,” she admits, flushing.

“If I remember correctly, you seemed to have a pretty good time, especially at the end of the night,” I smirk.

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