Page 40 of Illicit Education

“Is this going to be a problem?”

My chest tightened. My muscles tensed. I breathed deeply, flexing my fingers to work through the tension.

Mina waited patiently as I considered the question.

But the answer was no because ithadto be no.

“No, this won’t be a problem.”

Mina’s brows furrowed as she searched my gaze, then she gave me a sympathetic smile and rose to her feet, nodding as she strode to the door. “Okay. I trust you.”

Hers was a significant trust, not easily earned.

And, for the first time in our friendship, I feared losing it.

Chapter Sixteen

Rylan

By the time Greer found me, I was two glasses into the bottle of pinot noir and hadn't said a word since Reed walked away.

Mina had left me alone shortly after that encounter to mingle with her guests, though she did check on me occasionally to ask how I fared–to which I simply smiled and nodded and waited for her to leave again so I could continue processing my life. I’m sure she assumed I was just nervous because I was so far out of my element, but it was so much more than that.

It was so muchbiggerthan that.

Sliding in beside me, Greer nudged my arm. “What’s with you?” She leaned forward to block my line of sight and I blinked her into focus. “You’re way more freaked out by this place than I thought you would be.” She looked around at the other people at the booths and tables filling the room, then back at me. “God, I hope you haven’t offended anyone with that look on your face.”

“He’s here,” I whispered.

“What?”

I grabbed her arm. “Cabot. Reed. Is. Here.”

Greer’s eyes widened. “Shut. Up.” She whipped her head around to scan the crowd. “Where?”

Closing my eyes, I leaned into her, trying to tuck my face into her shoulder. “I don’t know. I can’t find him now.”

And I’d been looking.

Greer pushed my head up to look into my eyes. “Well, not with that attitude. Come on.”

My eyes widened. “No way. I’m not going to golookingfor him.”

“Like you haven’t been looking for him this whole time from the safety of your little booth?” Greer raised one eyebrow.

I huffed. “Yeah, fine, whatever, but that’s different. I’m not going toactivelysearch for him.”

“Fine. Then I will.” She winked, then leaned toward me, scanning the area. “Don’t worry. Lacey said we still have a good hour before the fashion show starts, so we haveplentyof time to find him.”

I groaned. “Great.”

Mina spotted us getting up to leave and strode over. “Oh good, you’re here.” She patted Greer’s shoulder and looked at me. “I think Rylan might be feeling a little out of her comfort zone tonight.”

Greer snorted. “You think?” They shared a little chuckle at my expense, then Greer motioned out toward the club. “Lacey told me there are, like, rooms and stuff…?”

Mina nodded, looking at me pointedly. “If you feel comfortable, you can explore. During our monthly events for new members, some of the regulars have an open-door policy.” She turned me and pointed down a hallway opposite of the entrance. “We also have some viewing rooms down that hall.”

“And we can just, like,watchpeople…?” Greer asked.

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