Page 70 of Both Sides Now

“Damn, and I refuse to rush. Not where you’re concerned. I plan on taking all the time I need to explore.”

His words send a jolt through my body and I fan myself, shooting him a mock glare. “You don’t play fair.”

“Never claimed to.”

I run my hand through his curls, fighting to keep one stubborn strand in place. “TellNadiato keep her hands to herself. I’ll see you later.”

As I stroll inside, I cast a glance over my shoulder, and blow a kiss in Keegan’s direction.

Time to scope out some darkened corners for later.

Maybe today won’t be a total loss.

Or… not.

When Keegan walks back into the cocktail area an hour later, I’m stuck in conversation with the most tiresome woman on earth. I’m not joking. If I have to hold this fake smile much longer, my face will crack.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Jones. It’s been a while.” Keegangrips my shoulders, his thumbs moving in lazy circles against my skin, as he interrupts the elderly woman’s diatribe about radish varieties.

I wish I were joking. An hour-long discussion centered around radish seeds. If I ever see a blasted radish again, I’ll set the damn thing on fire.

“Your girlfriend and I were just having the most wonderful chat,” Mrs. Jones proclaims, giving Keegan a warm grin.

Of course,she’soverjoyed to have such a compliant ... captive.

As for me, I’m searching for a hasty retreat.

I force another smile, my fingers reaching up to squeeze Keegan’s hand. “That we were. I never realized there were so many ways to grow radishes. Very intriguing, indeed. I do have to excuse myself, Mrs. Jones. I need to discuss something with my boyfriend.”

We barely make it to the bar before Keegan dissolves into laughter, earning a side-eye glare from me.

“So happy you’re amused.”

“Just glad it wasn’t me,” he replies with a smirk. “To be fair, she’s a sweet woman, but she can drone on endlessly.”

“Tell me about it. I’ve never wanted to be deaf so much in my life.” I chuckle as the bartender hands us our drinks. “But it’s all behind me. I’ve lived to tell the tale and now, it’s time to celebrate. How about a toast from the most handsome groomsman on earth?”

Keegan winks at me, no doubt appreciating my compliment. Not that the man is hurting for female attention.

He raises his glass and clinks it against mine. “To new beginnings.”

My smile slips. Is he referring to us? The bride and groom? A generality for the day’s festivities?

But I shoo away my overactive brain. For once, I refuse to read into it.

“To new beginnings.” From the corner of my eye, I spy Nadia leaning against the wall, her glare burning holes into me. “Did you two date?”

Keegan follows my gaze before offering a slight shrug. “I don’t know if you’d call it dating.”

“So you fucked?” So much for going with the flow, as my jealousy meter careens into the red. Again.

“I’d rather not talk about her. It was a minor tryst. It meant nothing.”

Now I’mreallycurious. Where and more importantly, when, did this tryst occur? Ten years ago or ten hours?

“I don’t think she agrees with your take on the situation.” I swig back some more of my whiskey, the warmth traveling down my throat. “Were you two together last night?”

No, I don’twantto know, but I need to know.

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