Page 104 of Playbook
One brow quirks up. “Everyone here is an adult. I think you can relax.”
“It has to be perfect.”
“Oh good. I’m glad we’re keeping our expectations in check.” He lets his head fall back and laughs loudly. The way his throat works with the sound makes my stomach dip.
I swat at him playfully. “Tonight is important.”
“Yeah, of course it is.” He takes my hand and smiles at me gently. “You’re a good sister. It makes sense that you want to make sure it all goes smoothly, but I think if Sierra had to choose between perfect and having fun with her sister, she’d pick the latter.”
I think of the words she said no more than five minutes ago. She did say that, but if things don’t go well, I’ll feel like the maid of dishonor.
“How about you let me be the responsible one?” He motions to the bartender, who immediately pours two more of the pink shots. Brogan holds one out to me.
“You’re kidding, right?” I almost burst out laughing at the thought.
“Give me all the details and I will run this night like the party planner extraordinaire you didn’t know you wanted.”
I realize he’s serious. “I don’t think so.”
“You don’t think I can do it,” he says more than asks.
I mean, I didn’t, but looking at him now I’m wondering if I misjudged him.
“I specialize in parties. You’re in good hands. Drink this.”
I don’t know why, but I do, then cough. “Oh god. That is good.”
He grins. “Is there a schedule of bars and things?”
My face gives him his answer.
“Of course there is. Hit me with it.”
I tell him my exact plans for the night, leaving nothing out. He doesn’t even blink when I mention the checklist of mostly-girly things that I’m certain the guys will think is dumb. He writes it all down in his phone.
“That’s it?”
“If we make it through all the bars still standing, I thought we could try to get into Gaga.” I’ve only ever been with Alec so I have zero expectations that we’ll get in, but it’ll be fun to try regardless, and by that point everyone will hopefully be too drunk and happy to care.
“Got it,” he says, then reads the schedule back to me. “Anything else to make this night perfect?”
I shake my head even though I have a few visions of us making out running through my head. He looks good tonight. Gray slacks, white button-up, sleeves rolled, white tennis shoes. He has this knack for always looking completely casual even when he’s dressed up a bit. It all seems so effortless for him. From fashion to just existing in any situation. He looks like he could walk into the nicest club in the city or attend a frat party.
“Consider it done.” He picks up the second shot and hands it to me. “Have fun, sweetheart. I got you.”
Inexplicably, I believe him. I toss back the shot and he orders another round for everyone.
For the next two hours, we drink and bar hop. I veer away from shots and stick with sipping on drinks and water in between, but the alcohol in my system makes me happy and free to let loose with my sister. Nobody even notices that Brogan is barely drinking.
When we crowd into the limo to go to a bar about fifteen minutes away, I find myself smushed between Brogan and Chris. Happily, I’ve been able to mostly avoid my ex tonight since he cornered me about wedding plans. He’s facing Gretchen on the other side of him, but our legs are touching and his fingers rest on his thigh, therefore grazing mine as well, making me squirm to get away.
“For a small thing, you sure do move around a lot.” Brogan lifts me onto his lap and holds my knees in the opposite direction so no part of me is in any danger of touching my ex. If he realizes why I was so squirmy, he doesn’t say.
“You smell nice,” I say as his familiar cologne wafts around me. His body is big and warm and I’m still just tipsy enough to snuggle up to him with no inhibition.
His head dips down and he brushes his lips over mine. “So do you.”
My gaze falls from his face to his chest. The button-down is open at his neck and I bring a hand up and trail my fingers over the area. Tonight he has on a necklace, and I lift it between my thumb and forefinger. The gold rose charm is dainty, barely discernible without looking closely.
