Page 68 of A Beginner's Guide to Forever
“My lobster in crime, it’s good to see you again.” I chuckle, appreciating her warm welcome. The last time I hung out with Hart’sfriends, I fled the New York club scene like a middle-aged ninny. After meeting her in the Hamptons, I did some digging on Vaughn and found out she is an activist for causes she believes in, like ending animal testing and promoting wildlife conservation. It’s kind of endearing.
Messy-haired Whit hands me a menu when I sit down. “We haven’t ordered yet, but we are two drinks ahead of you.” He winks.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Hart leans close, nuzzling my neck while I read the menu.Goodness, he’s distracting.
Hayes doesn’t give me quite as warm a reception. He’s wearing a scowl and peering down as though he’s captivated by the words on his menu.
“What are you drinking?” I lean close to ask Hart.
He looks so cute in a pair of dark jeans and snow boots, a thick thermal shirt, and a woolly cardigan. I’m equally as bundled up in a chunky red sweater and leggings, but somehow he makes it look refined and very appealing.
“An old-fashioned. Order whatever you like.”
I know I told him that come the first of the year, I’d be committed to staying in Nairobi for a while, that I wouldn’t have time for him. Now, being in his irresistible presence again, I’m wondering if I can sneak away from my work to meet him somewhere else ...
But the fantasy is put on hold because we order dinner and then listen to Vaughn and Whit bicker and flirt. I sip wine and watch them interact, wondering if there’s something more going on.
“So, Alessia,” Hayes begins, sawing through a piece of steak with a knife, “tell me about this school you’re building in Uganda.”
“It’s in Kenya, actually,” I correct him. “I’ve been traveling there since I was a child, and I’ve always prayed that the young girls there could have as many opportunities for their futures as I did for mine. Eventually, I decided to do something about it. With any luck, the school should open next year.”
Hart watches me with a look of rapt interest. His mouth twitches with a half smile as he listens to me talk, obviously very proud of me.
“And you’re how old?”
Whit chokes on his beer, coughing into his elbow.
“Hayes!” Vaughn scolds. “You don’t ask that of a lady.”
I hold his challenging look, unafraid, unwilling to look away. “It’s fine, Vaughn.”
Even Hart looks ready to tear his cousin’s head off; his handsome face is etched with a scowl.
“It’s fine,” I repeat, more to myself than to them. So much for feeling like I fit in ... when my second glass of red wine is delivered to the table, I take a large gulp.
“I’m ready to tear up the slopes tomorrow,” Whit says, trying to steer the conversation.
“Same,” Hart says, kissing my shoulder. “In fact, we should probably get to bed early tonight.”
Hayes snorts. “Before you started seeing Alessia, you’d be happy to barhop until 2:00 a.m. Go home with some rando. A lot’s changed.”
Hart gives him a firm look. “Yeah, I guess a lot has.”
I’m not easily scared off—especially not by a spoiled kid who doesn’t want to share his toys—so I stand my ground, staring straight ahead at Hayes, who’s yet to meet my eyes. Staying calm under pressure has always been a strength of mine, and I’m certainly not about to crack now. I’ve come too far, risked too much to bow to someone who’s too timid to even meet my eyes.
Our walk back to the hotel is snowy and cold and somewhat drunken. Hayes and Vaughn sing loudly—the lyrics to a song I don’t know. Whit walks ahead of us, leading the way, and Hart and I stroll, arm in arm, along the icy streets, huddled close. The others decide to cross the street to stop at a bar for another drink, but Hart and I wave goodbye and head back to the hotel.
“Thanks for coming,” he whispers.
I dare a glance at him. “Thanks for inviting me.”
“And I’m sorry about Hayes. He’s not normally such a dick. I don’t know what’s gotten into him lately.”
I wave him off. “It’s fine.”
It’s not fine, but arguing with his cousin won’t solve anything. I’m here for Hart, and I’m going to make the best of it.
