Page 33 of Ink & Stardust

“Yes, please.”

After saying goodbye to River and Char, Maisie and I make our way outside arm in arm. I can tell something is bothering her, but I don’t push. I know when someone doesn’t want to talk about it, and I can tell she most certainly does not.

“Stand here and I’ll order us an Uber,” I tell her, releasing her arm, allowing her to lean against the outside wall as I dig my phone out of the back pocket of my ripped-up jean shorts.

“You ladies need a ride?”

I tense at the sound ofhisvoice.

“Hey.” Maisie smiles at him and I’m reminded that the two have known each other for a long time. “Are you leaving?” She sways slightly against the wall.

“I am. Want me to give you a lift?” He catches her by the elbow to keep her upright when she steps toward him.

“Actually, that would be great.” She hiccups. “Doyouhaveanubercoming?” The words come out all jumbled together like one big word.

“No, I drove.”

“You haven’t been drinking?” It’s my turn to speak.

“No,” he states flatly, giving me a look like I should know better, but really, howwouldI know better when I don’t actually know him?

“Since when do you come to a party and not drink?” Maisie leans into his side, allowing Kai to guide her toward the parking lot. She’s far more drunk than I realized earlier.

I mean, I’m not exactly sober either, but at least I can walk a straight line... I think. I look down at my feet just to be sure. Seems pretty straight to me.

“Since I hadotherpriorities.” He throws me a glance over his shoulder, and I swear I feel that look all the way down to my toes.

Certainly, he’s not talking aboutme.

“Because that’s not cryptic or anything,” she slurs. “Care to elaborate?”

“Not really.” He smiles down at her.

“Men and your secrets.” She shakes her head, though I doubt she’s talking about Kai anymore.

She hasn’t been very forthcoming about what’s going on with her and Macallan, if there even is anything going on. She acts like there’s not but then take tonight for example: she leaves to find him in a great mood and comes back just a few minutes later upset and ready to leave. I highly doubt that’s a coincidence.

Kai leads us to the parking lot—which is in need of a serious new pave—that sits around the side of the building, and I try to look anywhere other than at his back and the way his shirt tugs and moves against his broad shoulders as he walks.

Given the number of people inside, the lot is barely half full. Then again, a lot of people likely carpooled or are getting a car to take them home. Stopping beside a black, sporty-looking Nissan, he tugs open the back door and helps Maisie inside.

I cross around to the other side, preparing to join her in the back seat, when Kai cuts me off, opening the front door instead of the back.

“You’re up front with me.”

My gaze flies up to meet his.

“No, I’m sitting in the back with Maisie.”

“Maisie needs to lie down or she’s going to end up puking all over my car.” He steps back just enough to give me room to climb into the car. “Hence why you’re up front with me.”

Right. Of course. Because why else would he have me sit in the front? I feel stupid for even entertaining the idea that it could be because hewantedme to.

“Fine,” I grumble, giving him a dirty look as I climb into the car. “We’re going to get paint everywhere,” I warn him, secretly hoping that we do just that because, apparently, I’m spiteful when I drink.

He settles into the driver’s seat next to me, and suddenly, the car feels a million times smaller.

“From the looks of it, that paint has been dry for hours.” He gives me a once-over. “Your shoes aren’t as lucky as my car, however.” He gestures to my low-top white Converse that are splattered in various colors of paint.

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