Page 13 of Safe and Sound

Nodding he replied, “Before I came to find you, I got practically Eiffel Towered by two hot marines.”

“You’ve already made a bathroom stop?”

He rolled his eyes. “Jesus, Ava, I meant on the dance floor.”

“Oops,” I replied with a sheepish grin.

“Seriously though. How big of a whore do you think I am to be fucking in the first hour?”

I threw back my head with a laugh. “In my defense, I was just going by some of the stories you’d told me in the past.”

“It would have to be one hell of an impressive man to get me off the dance floor this early.” Winking, he added, “Besides, I’m all about your gratification tonight, not mine.”

“Boundaries,” I said with a grin.

“Whatever. Let’s get a drink.”

Although I wanted to keep dancing, my pregame buzz was fading. Craning my neck, I asked, “Where are the girls?”

“Dani and Lexie are already at the bar.”

“Why am I not surprised?” I mused, as Nick dragged me through the crowd.

While Nick belonged to my oldest brother, Nikolaos, Lexie and Dani were the daughters of my other older brother, Georgios. Just like Nick, Lexi and Dani were more my sisters than my nieces. Although most of the time, I felt like their older sister. It wasn’t just because I was thirty, and they were twenty-three and twenty-one. It was more about the fact I felt like I needed to keep them in line.

When we got to the bar, Dani and Lexie waved us over. Both girls were tall and lanky with jet black hair that cascaded down to their waist. Nick and I loved to tease them about being diluted Greeks since their mother wasn’t Greek.

“What are we drinking?” I asked.

“Martinis!” they cried in unison.

I wrinkled my nose. “Seriously?”

Nick snorted. “Don’t tell me you expected them to have Ouzo?”

I rolled my eyes. “You know I hate that stuff.”

“But it’s so good to get drunk on,” he argued.

“That’s because you barely have to take two sips to get totally plastered,” I protested.

Dani laughed. “That’s only the Ouzo at Pappouli and Yaya’s.”

At the thought of the Ouzo at my parents’ restaurant, my stomach churned. Some of the worst hangovers of my life had been brought on by just a glass of it. It was amazing in the moment, but man, you would pay for it afterwards.

“I know. Let’s drink champagne to celebrate your divorce!” Lexie suggested.

Although I wasn’t the biggest champagne fan, I nodded in agreement. Tonight was all about celebrating with new experiences. Waving over the bartender, I said, “Give me a bottle of your finest champagne and four glasses.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

With a whistle, Dani said, “Someone is a big spender tonight.”

I laughed. “Someone got abigsettlement.”

Raising her hand, Lexi high-fived me. “You go girl.”

Quoting one of our favorite old movies,First Wives Club,Dani added, “Don’t get mad–get everything!”

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