Page 31 of The Love Trick

“Long flight?” I shrug. Everyone at the table laughs, and I continue to finish the heavily liquored-up drink. I’m not one to really throw it back, but my nerves are fried, and Addy’s completely rule-abiding touches are doing weird things to my body.

And it’s only the first night.

“So, Blaze.” Aurora begins sipping on her blue umbrella straw. “I have to know. When did you realize your feelings for Addy had changed? I mean, the two of you have been friends forsolong, and now you’re together. I feel like something had to have happened to trigger that.”

I set my empty drink down and nod to the waitress for a second, ignoring Addy’s penetrative glare. “Well,” I begin, feeling warm from the alcohol. “Honestly, um…” My voice trails off.

“It just happened—”

“No,” I cut Addy off, shaking my head. “It didn’t justhappen. I met Addy when I was a sophomore in college and she was a freshman. She spilled coffee all over herself and her books. I think—” I pause, smiling as I reflect on that memory. “I think I fell in love with her right then and there.”

“What?” Aurora and Addy both gasp in unison.

But I just keep rolling with it. “Yeah, but just because you fall in love with someone doesn’t mean that youdosomething about it. Addy immediately became like family to me, and while I had the biggest crush on her in college, I just kept showing up in whatever capacity she’d let me. I got comfortable being her friend, and to have her in my life like that was enough, until…” My voice trails off as I catch her blue eyes. “Until it just wasn’t anymore.”

“Really?” Addy’s voice has a mix ofverywell-acted emotions. “I thought you just woke up one day and started to like me as more than best friends.”

I shake my head, thankful for my new drink on the table. “Nah. It’s always been you, Addy.” I rip my gaze away and grab the fruity glass up, downing the liquor as Aurora and Robert talk about how sweet I am.

I’m just a good liar.

Except the only person I’m lying to is me. I mean, mostly.

It’sstill enough tojustbe Addy’s friend … but the rest of it is true.

I thought I was in love with her in college. And I almost told her. Multiple times. It just never seemed like a good idea.

“Heavy talks.” Addy takes a sip of her drink, finally removing her hand from my leg. We spend the rest of the time talking about Robert’s new business deals and Aurora’s new fashion designs, and their plans to relocate to New York City after the wedding. I focus on eating enough carbs to soak up the alcohol.

After the sun sets, Addy nudges me. “Let’s go dance.”

I glance over at the crowded dance floor. “Are you sure? You know I don’t really dance.”

She grins. “That’s exactly why we should.”

“Fine,” I huff, pushing back the wicker chair and standing to my feet unsteadily. I’ve had too much to drink, the buzz in my head apparent. It’s definitely time to cut myself off.

Addy grabs my hand and leads me to the dance floor, kicking off her sandals and leaving them behind at the table.

“Close to You”by Gracie Abrams begins playing over the speakers, and Addy starts singing along, dancing like a goober. I can’t help but laugh at her, reminded of all the times we were in college and she’d drag me out dancing with her friends.

I wasn’t great at dancing then, either.

With a sigh, I fall into rhythm with her, pretending like I know what I’m doing. She tips her head back and laughs, and I grab her hand, spinning her around. As the song comes to an end, I pull her into my chest, and she stills, meeting my eyes.

I thread my fingers through her hair, my other arm wrapping around her waist as a strong, primal urge floods my body. My nose brushes hers, and she sucks in a sharp breath, shocking me. My heart pounds in my ears as the alarm bells ring, and I snap out of it.

“Gotcha,” I joke, releasing her like it was all a show. “I think it’s time for me to call it a night.”

Chapter Twelve

Addy

Ican’tbreatheasBlaze drops his hands from my body. He heads off toward the room, bidding everyone a good night on his way. I jog to catch up with him, grabbing my sandals on my way. Irritation, excitement, and emotions I can’t label fill my chest.

I focus on the irritation.

“What was that?” I demand as I follow him into the elevator, out of earshot from anyone who might know us. “You almost—”

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