Page 88 of Absolute Certainty
He tried and failed to fight against the smile curling up his lips. “They each make it back to Franklin Street?” he questioned, surely knowing it was the exact answer Sahar was looking for.
“Wounded and battle-worn buttogether.A whole family torn apart, but back from the trenches where they belong.”
Draping his arm over her shoulder, he pulled her to him. It felt so natural, so familiar.
She squeezed his waist. “Admit I’m right.”
The low laugh diving out of his mouth landed right into her belly. “You’re right, sunshine. You know you are.”
She scrunched her face giddily. “I know. I just wanted to hear you say it.”
His jaw flexed, he was biting the inside of his cheek. She wanted to press her mouth to the crooked smirk his lips created.Fuck.
Quickly looking away, she spotted Sam and Priya amidst the crowd, animatedly talking to three people. They noticed her and Jay, then parted from their friends and walked toward them.
Priya stretched out her arms to Sahar. “Hot damn, you regal beauty. Purple looks so good on you! I’m obsessed.”
“Look who’s talking! But I’ll pass the compliments to my stylist,” Sahar said, hugging her back.
“Wills?” Priya specified.
Sahar nodded. “You know it.”
“Our girl is so good.”
“The best.”
Then, Priya turned to say hi to Jay. Sam gave Sahar a questioning smile, but mostly behaved himself. She was screwed if he started suspecting that she was interested in Jay.
Priya looked from Sam to Jay. “There are drinks right at that table,” she pointed. “Would you two be the dolls that you are and get us some?”
Smiling, the men both obliged.
Priya nearly screeched when they were out of earshot. “Sahar, what the actual fuck? You two are so hot together.”
A blush flared Sahar’s cheeks. “So, I’m about five seconds away from kissing him and jumping his bones. Can you tell?”
Priya chortled. “I mean, he probably wants to do the same. Don’t think I didn’t notice how he had his arm over your shoulder and then down at your back as you walked toward us.”
“You know I’m trying so hard not to rush into something, but it gets harder by the second with him, Pri,” Sahar added.
“He’s a total catch, babe. Physically and everything in between. Sam has a lot of respect for him. If he knew you were into him, he would’ve been plotting how to get the two of you together himself.”
Sahar blew out a sigh. “Oh, lord. Of course, he would.Pleasedon’t say anything.Ifhe asks after today, dodge it.”
“I’ll do my best. My husband and self-control donotgo together. The only reason he didn’t intervene in Willa and Ethan’s relationship was because he knew those goons were always together, and it was only a matter of time. If he knew you were into Jay, he’d be planning shit left and right to get you two in the same room. And respectfully, I’m too exhausted to host anything for the rest of the summer.”
Priya must’ve noticed them coming back. “And with that, I say, to hell with trying so hard. Take what you want.” She drew closer and wrapped her arms around Sahar’s neck. “I’ll bet he’s waiting for your move.” And then she spun them both to face the guys with a huge smile, as though they weren’t just talking about Sahar wanting to shag Jay.
23
SAHAR
The Bill Hotel’s entrance wasn’t as crowded as the rest of the streets in Manhattan were, but it was still loud—full and alive. The air was thick and muggy and uncomfortable, and yet… All she was acutely aware of was every emotion inside of her demanding to befelt.Expanding. Spreading. Impossible to ignore.
It was wild how nights like this, specifically in the summertime, always felt like a thousand things at once. Enigmas and answers. Permanent yet simultaneously fleeting.Hopeful.
And she knew that Jay felt it, too. She could see the same tapestry of emotions woven into his gaze.
