Page 56 of One Night With You

“So, how are you and Kingston?” Aria asked, and I frowned at her.

“You just saw us together. Things haven’t changed.” And why did I keep feeling butterflies every time someone mentioned him?

“I want details,” she teased, sipping at her drink.

We were at an ax throwing restaurant thing, and I had no idea what I was doing. Daisy of course was winning, with Libby and Aria coming up second and third. Phoebe and I were not doing well. But that was fine, we were trying our best. Even though it didn’t seem we were.

“I like it. The two of you are great together. And now we can easily double date without things being weird,” Phoebe put in, as she picked up her ax and went to the target. She of course missed the board completely, and Libby took a photo, grinning.

“I’m going to send this to your man.”

“Please do, because that means he can help me practice, and that means lots of cuddling.”

“It’s just like golf,” Daisy said.

“You know, where they hover around you, and try to help you with your swing.”

“Oh, so I guess I should invite Kingston?” I asked, as everybody cheered.

“You guys are just so cute,” Libby said, as she sipped her drink. “It makes me actually believe love and happiness could happen.” She paused and looked down at the single drink she had had all night. “Maybe I should switch to water.”

“Youareout of practice,” Daisy said, handing over the water pitcher.

I sipped water as well, since I had had my one drinkfor the night, and continued to play poorly at whatever ax throwing game we were trying to play.

“Hey, I have to go,” Aria said, not ten minutes later, and I frowned at her.

“Is everything okay?”

She nodded, but I saw the tension in her gaze, and everyone else seemed to catch it as well. “I just have to pick up Travis.”

“What’s wrong with Travis?” Daisy asked, and I heard the biting tone. She apparently wasn’t a fan either.

Aria seemed to have sensed it as well, and she lifted her chin. “He needs a DD.”

“And he can’t call a ride share?” Phoebe asked softly. “I mean…it’s good he’s calling you though. That way he’s not behind the wheel.”

“We’re friends. I’m going to pick him up. It’s what I do. At least he’s not getting behind the wheel.”

“Again,” Daisy muttered, but Aria didn’t seem to hear. Instead, Aria waved at us, and headed out, and I pressed my lips together, not wanting to say anything.

“Is she okay?” I asked.

Daisy shrugged. “I don’t know. I can never tell with Aria. She’s so closed off even when she thinks she isn’t.”

We sat there in silence for a few more moments, lostin our thoughts and lives and the world continued around us.

“I need to go get Amelia. I keep getting kicked out of my own house so my parents can watch her, and I know they want me to have a life, but I miss my baby.”

“I should go too,” Phoebe said. “Kane should be home from work now. And well…” She blushed, and Daisy just laughed.

“I’m going to go see my kid and Hugh. You guys okay to drive?” she asked, her voice serious.

We all nodded and pointed to the fact that none of us had finished a drink. We finished paying, our girls’ night now fully finished, and walked to our cars. We had all parked near each other, so we were still together when Libby came forward.

“So what is going on between you and my cousin?” Libby asked, and I cursed under my breath.

“Did you really think you were going to get through tonight without answering?” Daisy asked, and I knew she was trying to lighten the tone. We were all worried about Aria after all.

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