Page 100 of Puck to the Heart
“I’d like to help fund it.”
I blinked. Then blinked again. “You—fund?” My brain failed me.What even are words?
Grace laughed, edging closer so she didn’t have to yell over the din. “Yes. Of course, I’m sure you’d like to have multiple donors, but I know plenty of people who’ll help out. My girls would love something like this, and it’s not my forte.”
“I’ll chip in.” Polly appeared out of thin air, and since I was on the far side of tipsy, I wrapped my arms around Ash’s grandmother in the hug I’d wanted to give her practically since we’d met.
Waving wildly, Grace accidentally bumped into me, nearly splashing wine over the rim of her glass. “Polly!” She yelled, joining in the hug.
“Hey, Liv! Mrs. Coach! Nana Polly, what’s crackin’?” Dante materialized, fist bumping Polly and nodding respectfully to Grace.
“Liv is starting a science sclub! Science—science…club.” It was gratifying to realize I wasn’t the only one enjoying the wine. “And I thought of your sister! Dante’s younger sister is friends with my girls. She’s at our house all the time. Sweet girl,” Grace saidsotto voce.
“No way! I’ll have to tell her. Text me about it, okay? She’ll kill me if her friends get to go without her.”
“That’s very sweet.” Suddenly overcome with affection for this group of people I hardly knew, my eyes stung with tears.
Heat washed over me from behind, followed by a chin resting on top of my head and strong arms wrapping around my waist. A spicy, smoky scent flooded my senses.
Ash.
A goofy smile spread across my face, and Polly and Grace gave knowing grins in return.
“Dante. Why does my girlfriend think you’re being sweet?” His voice did that gravelly thing I loved so much.
“Her science club! Lia is going to flip the fuck out. She loves this shit.”
“Polly and I have offered to make donations.” Grace was back to yelling over the crowd in her enthusiasm.
“It’s so nice.” I might actually cry.
“Let’s get you some fresh air.” Ash eased around beside me, leaving one warm, heavy arm draped across my shoulders. The revolving glass doors tripped me up for a second, but eventually, I made it through, with Ash squeezing into the space with me. A blast of cold air hit me in the face, and I immediately turned around to go back inside.
“Ugh, no. It’s too fucking cold.”
Sliding his fingers between mine, Ash pulled me back toward him. “Here.” He shrugged off his jacket, draping it around me. “Better?”
I nodded, appreciating the simplicity of the white shirt, perfectly fitted to all of those stupid muscles, with the faintest hint of his tattoos peeking through.He’s so fucking hot, I can’t stand it.
“Thank you. I think.”
“Oops. I said that out loud?” An embarrassed flush battled for dominance with the wine flush creeping over my cheeks. The wine probably won.
“You did. I like hearing it, though. Keep going.”
“What do you want to hear?”
“Whatever you want to tell me, Barnes.” He tugged the lapels of his jacket tighter around my shoulders, then used the fabric to pull me closer, into his space. His voice was so close, the rumbling reached all the way down my spine.
“How are you so fucking tall?” I tipped my head back to look up at him. His lashes were impossibly dark, annoyingly long framing the depths of his eyes.
“Not what I was going for, but I’ll take it.”
“You have nice eyelashes?”
He laughed, the sound warming something deep inside her. “Works for me.”
“You’re so pretty.” Oops, the last word dragged out while my mind tripped through memories of all the other things I liked about him. All the things he’d done for me before we were... us. Unbidden tears filled my eyes , and I blinked them away, staring at the bright streetlights to clear my vision. “Are you okay, now?” Unable to resist touching him, I slid my hands along the smooth white fabric covering his arms until my hands rested on his shoulders.
