Page 9 of Edge of Forever

“We’ll make it happen,” Jami says firmly.

We manage an awkward but tight group hug as we stare up at the night sky.

Things are going to change after tonight—in more ways than one—and I’m not sure if I’m scared, excited, worried, or beside myself with joy.

Elise holds up her phone and we all lean in, trying to fit on the screen.

“Let’s get the fountain behind us,” Cathryn says, twisting so our backs are to the Bellagio.

Elise touches the button five or six times and then Mark’s voice penetrates our little friendship bubble.

“Do the rest of us get a turn or what?”

“Hold your horses!” Cathryn yells at him. “We’re in the middle of something.”

His response is muffled, and we giggle.

“Besties forever,” Jami says firmly.

“Besties forever.” We put our heads together and it feels like we take a long moment to let our feelings wash over us.

Then Gina lifts her head. “Okay, I need Tony up here with me. We can take turns with the guys.”

We nod, and I slide back down through the opening, landing on Sam’s lap as the limo comes to an abrupt stop.

“Hi.” His eyes twinkle with amusement.

“Hi.” I wrap my arms around him.

“We have to get going soon,” Gina says. “My parents have called five times asking where we are.”

My eyes drift to Sam’s, and I’m positive he can read my mind.

He opens his mouth, but I nod before he can say anything.

“Yes.”

FOUR

Sam

It takesa while to get through traffic on the strip and then head back to the suburbs where Gina lives. I tell the driver to stay close because we’ll only be gone for fifteen or twenty minutes. We make our way inside because Kirsten wants to say hello to a few people and use the bathroom.

Precisely seventeen minutes later, we sneak out the back, walk around the side of the house, and slip back into the limo.

The Westin is actually in Henderson, away from the hustle and bustle of the Strip, and though it took a chunk out of my bank account, Kirsten’s worth it. Besides, I don’t have much in the way of expenses other than one credit card and my phone. I sold almost everything before I left Minneapolis, and I have a handful of stuff at my mom’s house. My car is locked in her garage, and I probably won’t drive it again until the end of the year when the tour is over.

So if I want to spoil my girl for a weekend, I can.

“Which hotel are we going to?” Kirsten asks, nestling up against my side.

“The Westin.” I kiss the tip of her nose.

“Oh. That’s a spa, isn’t it?”

“It is.”

“There might be a massage on the agenda for tomorrow…”

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