Page 25 of Take the Wheel

‘You don’t get it,’ Ari told her.

Nancy didn’t respond to that, just took a sip of her drink, her expression unreadable. Ari wanted to push, wanted to force Nancy to understand it. Understand her.

But before she could, Paris stood, lifting her glass for a toast.

‘If you will allow me one quick toast. Tolove,’ she said, smiling as murmurs of agreement rippled through the guests.

Ari barely resisted rolling her eyes. The last thing she wanted to do was raise her glass in any kind of toast led by Paris, but the last thing she needed was to draw more attention to herself. She lifted her glass begrudgingly, taking the smallest possible sip as Paris’s gaze settled on her. Ari was annoyedbecause Paris really thought Ari was jealous of her and the stuffed Tom Ford suit she was about to wed. He could have her. Ari would have sooner crawled into bed with a cluster of tarantulas than ever touch Paris again.

Ari set her glass down with deliberate care. She wasn’t going to let Paris win. She could have the world’s most lavish wedding and have every person at it think that Ari was bitter about the one that got away. Ari gave no fucks about that. But Paris wasn’t keeping that necklace. Ari couldn’t live with that.

She wasn’t going after the necklace tonight, though. Nancy had her eyes on Ari now, and she’d make it impossible.

But this wasn’t over.

Nineteen

The great hall was alive with movement as the dining tables were cleared away, replaced by sweeping lengths of plush carpet. Staff worked quickly, shifting chairs and plates, while a team of technicians set up soft lighting that bathed the space in a warm, golden glow. A large chandelier was lowered to accommodate the change, and a polished wooden dance floor gleamed as it was laid down, stretching across the room. The air buzzed with anticipation as the space transformed, the hum of conversation blending with the soft thud of music soundchecks.

Nancy wasn’t surprised to realise Ari was tipsy. Not falling-over-slurring-her-words drunk, but loose.

‘I hate weddings,’ Ari muttered, her breath warm against Nancy’s shoulder.

Nancy resisted the urge to roll her eyes. ‘I could tell by the way you drank half the bar.’

‘Needed to do something,’ Ari said, tilting her head back to squint at the ornate ceiling. ‘It was either that or punch Paris in the face.’

Nancy let out a short, tired laugh. ‘Then I think the drinking was the better call. Just barely.’

Nancy was still furious. But she was keeping a cool head. Someone had to. Ari had done some silly things in her time. But this? It was too much.

‘You’re staring at me,’ Ari said suddenly, eyes narrowing as she swayed slightly.

‘That’s because I’m trying to figure out what the hell to do with you.’

Ari grinned, a little lopsided. ‘You could dance with me.’

Nancy huffed. ‘That’s not happening.’

‘Why not?’

‘I don’t want to.’

Ari pouted, an expression so ridiculous that Nancy had to look away before she smiled. ‘Why?’ Ari demanded, a touch loud.

Nancy sighed, glancing around the room. She needed to get Ari out of there before she got loud. ‘Come on,’ she said, wrapping an arm around Ari’s waist. ‘Let’s get you some air.’

Ari leaned into her without protest, her body warm and pliant. ‘Are you taking me outside to yell at me?’

‘Tempting, but no.’

The cool night air hit them as soon as they stepped onto the terrace. The chatter and music from inside were muffled, and for a moment, everything felt still. Ari inhaled deeply, closing her eyes, leaning against a railing.

‘Better?’ Nancy asked, next to her.

Ari nodded, but when she opened her eyes again, there was something raw there, something unguarded. ‘Ilovedher, you know.’

Nancy exhaled slowly. ‘I know.’

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