Page 51 of Dare to Fall

“Okay.” I grinned.

He took my hand in his and led me back to the exhibit where we found Drema and Lucas still together in front of her paintings. She was giggling as he was whispering something into her ear.

Drema looked like a falling star—bright with light that only the purest of joy could ignite. She was in her element tonight, and I loved seeing my friend happy, especially after my other friends were total assholes to her and made her feel lesser than. I guess I was still harboring some of my own guilt for not standing up for her.

As Garth and I walked up to them, Drema and Lucas turned to us with expectant looks on their faces.

“I see you two are getting along quite well,” Garth said.

“Drema and I were just discussing the similarities between art and medicine. She has quite a lot to say on the topic.” Lucas winked at Drema, and her cheeks turned crimson.

“Drema, I know that tonight is a very special evening for you, but I was wondering if you’d mind if I stole Eva away for a little while?”

Drema looked to me, curiosity shining in her aqua eyes. “As long as Eva is okay with it, I don’t mind at all,” she said, giving me a knowing look.

I gave her a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek. “Your paintings are stunning, Drema. I’m so, so proud of you. And it seems I’m not the only one enamored by yourwork.” I glanced over at Lucas who was lost in conversation with Garth.

Drema giggled. “He’s really handsome, isn’t he?”

“Um, yeah. He is,” I laughed. “You should definitely reward yourself for a hard night’s work.” I waggled my brows at her.

“Oh my God, Eva!”

“I’m just saying! Now that your major pieces are done, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to enjoy yourself for a little while.”

“I could say the same about you, you know. Running off with Garth Walker.”

I sighed. “There’s still a lot I have to figure out before I can let anything happen between us. I just hope I can sort through it all before he loses interest and decides to move on.”

“I don’t think there’s a chance in hell that man is walking away from you anytime soon. Have you seen the way he looks at—”

“Are you ready?” Garth sidled up beside me and placed his hand at the small of my back.

I looked up into his eyes that had transformed from the steely gray back to swirling flecks of green and yellow. “Yes, I’m ready.”

I gave Drema another quick hug.

“Call me if you need anything,” she whispered into my ear.

“I will.”

Garth led me back out into the night. Hand in hand, we walked up to a motorcycle, with matte black metal features and a double leather seat where a single helmet rested. He grabbed it and handed it to me.

“Oh no. There is no way in hell I’m riding on that death trap. Nope.”

Garth let out a throaty laugh, and the sound was like a velvet blanket covering my skin. “I promise I’m a safe driver. We’re not going very far.”

I crossed my arms and said, “There’s no way, Garth. I worked in the emergency department for a year. I know what motorcycle accidents look like—death.” I gave him a stern look.

“I’ve never been in an accident my entire life. Just trust me, okay?” He extended the helmet toward me again.

I sighed. “Okay, fine. But I’m warning you. If I die on this thing, my father will be really, really upset. Which means it will beyourfuneral too.”

“Are you always this sassy when you’re nervous?”

“Only when someone is trying to convince me to get on the back of a two-wheeled death trap.” I glowered and took the helmet from him.

Garth slid his long muscular leg over the side of the motorcycle. I thought it would be strange—a man in a tuxedo driving a motorcycle—but Garth made everything look sexy. Dark stubble lined his jaw, and I wanted nothing more than to feel the prickle of his thin beard running against my skin.

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