Page 20 of Lessons in Sin

‘Harleys’ I murmur, my voice quiet as I process the information he’s given.

‘I’ll be there soon.’ He says and then hangs up.

Slipping the phone back into the pocket of my jeans, I try to think through the dizzying haze of vodka and triple sec.

Why didn’t he enjoy it? Did they fuck? Did they do other stuff?

The questions hit me a mile a minute, racing through my hazy thoughts but before I can fall further down that jealous hole someone stops me.

‘Hey, there you are.’ Noah comes striding out the bar, heading straight towards me, his steps a little wobbly from alcohol. ‘Lily’s not feeling too good so I think we should head.’

I blink a few times trying to make my vision clearer before shaking my head. ‘I have someone coming for me.’

‘You sure? Who is it?’

I shiver, and Noah slides his coat around my shoulder. ‘A guy I’ve been seeing.’ I steady my gaze and smile. ‘Don’t worry, I’m safe with him. My friend Ruby has his address anyway if anything did happen.’

‘Okay, as long as you’re happy with that.’ Noah smiles. ‘I’m going to go get Lil and then we’ll head.’

He disappears back inside the bar but reappears not long after with Lily carried in his arms fireman style.

Her head rolls back and when she sees me, she smiles. ’Scarlett! I am so drunk.’

We giggle like it’s the best joke of the century and Noah, the soberest out of the three of us, just shakes his head.

I go to take off his jacket, but he stops me with his hand on my arm. ‘Keep it. Just make sure you don’t throw up on it!’

‘Oh, Kevin Bacon!’ Lily squeals. ‘Won’t you be my daddy.’

‘Oh god.’ Noah groans as I giggle. ‘I better leave. Like now. But message me when you’re safe!’

I nod as Noah disappears into a cab and after one last promise to message him when I’m safe, they finally leave.

And then I’m left alone, waiting for Tristan.

Chapter 13

Resting my head against the wall, I take a deep breath and holy shit I wish I hadn’t.

The smell of cigarettes, alcohol and too much perfume sends my stomach rolling and then I’m hunched over, emptying my guts of all the cosmos I’ve spent my night drinking.

A pair of hands brush my hair away from my face, pulling it from the concoction of vomit and vodka dripping from my lips.

‘Jesus Scarlett.’ Tristan breathes, but he sounds more relieved than anything as he holds my hair away from my face.

‘I don’t feel good.’ I whisper, tears spilling from my eyes.

‘I can see that.’ He stands there for a few minutes, letting me throw my guts up. Tonight was supposed to be my chance to let loose and forget about him, yet here I am, embarrassing myself in front of him.

Way to go, Scarlett, you really showed him.

Finally, my stomach settles, now empty of pretty much everything I’ve drank and eaten today. Standing, I turn to look at him and suddenly, I feel the breath rush out of me.

I’ve seen Tristan in suits, jeans, and jackets - I’ve even seen him naked … and yet the sight of him now makes me lose my head. He’s wearing a simple white shirt and a pair of grey sweatpants swung low on his hips - the combination so simple it shouldn’t be sexy, but it is.

To see him like this? it’s so … intimate.

It’s one of those outfits that a man like Tristan would only wear inside his home - an outfit that only those closest to him would see.

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