Page 28 of Into the Woods

But with Ryan came—

No, Bex, I mentally chastised myself before my thoughts could veer too far into dangerous territory.

Tonight wasn’t about him, it was about me. Well, actually it was turning out to be more about my cousin and her horrible choice in boyfriends, but the point was, I wasn’t thinking about Court Woods.

Dammit.

Just thinking his name was like having my nervous system struck by lightning.

Bad Bex. Focus on Cami.

“Are we getting off?” Eric asked me, his voice soft with amusement as I realized the doors were open. Alex and Cami had already stepped off and were watching me, waiting. Cami looked concerned, but Alex looked like someone had shoved a stick wrapped in barbed wire up his ass while he sucked off a lemon.

“Uh, sorry,” I stammered, hurrying out of the car as the heavy bass of one song bled into another.

The third floor was clearly the VIP section, if the dark, decadent furniture and mood lighting were any indication. Set above the rest of the club, the VIP balcony had its own bar. Instead of the industrial style of the rest of the club, this area was high end, with cushioned sofas, lacquered tables, and a black iron railing that let the guests look out over the club.

My gaze zeroed in on the sign for the bathroom. “Hey, Cam, let’s—”

“Camille,” Alex cut in, turning so he was positioned between us as he cupped her cheek. “Would you dance with me?”

She smiled, her heart in her eyes as she beamed up at him. “Of course.”

“We’ll be back,” Alex informed us, again taking my cousin by the wrist and leading her toward a staircase that I wouldn’t be trying to navigate in these heels. Cami, however, was a study in grace as she floated downward.

“Guess it’s just us, huh?” Eric said from my left.

I turned and gave him a one-shouldered shrug as I fought the urge to follow my cousin and ask her what the hell was going on. She was amazing and deserved a guy who’d treat her a lot better than Alex.

Huh. Maybe I could show her you could move on from a hot-yet-toxic guy and find someone with more low-key energy.

Grinning at Eric, I vowed to make the best of tonight. To give this guy every chance I could, because I deserved a nice guy, dammit.

“Do you want to find a table and talk?” I asked him, waving a hand around the crowded room. “I’d love to get to know you better.”

His smile was full of warmth and hope as he took my hand. “I’d love to.”

CHAPTER 9

BEX

With a soft hand on the small of my back, Eric led me toward a table in the center of the room. I appreciated that he didn’t pick one of the booths shrouded in shadows along the wall. I could barely make out some of the people in them, which was probably the point. A single pendant light hung above our table, giving me enough light to appreciate how hot my date was.

Eric pulled out a chair and waited for me to sit before circling to the other side and sitting across from me. As soon as his butt hit the chair, a waitress in a tight black dress appeared with a bright smile.

“Can I bring either of you a drink?” she offered, her flirty eyes dragging over Eric with appreciation before turning to me with a slight lift of one eyebrow. Almost like she was wondering how I was here with him.

“Bex?” Eric shot me an expectant look, waiting for me to go first.

“Oh, uh.” I looked for a menu, but this struck me as an if you don’t know what you want, you don’t belong here kind of place. “Can I get a virgin sangria?”

I half expected the waitress to laugh, but she didn’t bat an eye before turning to Eric.

“Water for me, please. Thank you.” He gave a subtle nod of his chin, dismissing her.

“Not a drinker?” I asked, kind of surprised.

“No,” he replied, leaning back in his chair with a rueful smile. “I’ve never much enjoyed the taste. You?”

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