What If I Never (Necklace Trilogy 1)

He strokes my hair, a tender gesture that’s already becoming familiar with Dash, and then he’s headed out of the room. I down the drink and tell myself I do not do so because of his offer to take care of me. I’ve had those offers. They were all lies. And this is just one night.

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

I delete the message from my father without listening to it and down the rest of my drink, fighting the urge to check on my mother, who I know just needs a little space. I’ve all but talked myself into texting her anyway when Dash reappears, the scent of delicious food with him. My stomach rumbles in delight. “I’m so ridiculously hungry right now,” I say, setting my phone down on the coffee table.

He eyes my glass, and I don’t miss the satisfaction at my empty glass in his gaze that I really don’t understand. But then, I’ve been drinking which means I don’t have it in me to even try and figure it out. “Me too,” he says, sitting down next to me and pulling the coffee table closer. “I didn’t eat before the party.” He begins unloading the takeout bag. “Two lasagnas,” he says, setting a silver container in front of each of us before he sets even more items on the table, “Bread,” he adds, “bottled water, and the biggest slice of cheesecake you’ve ever seen to share.”

“In other words, I’m going to need the gym at the house,” I say. “And to stay away from the bakery. It’s hard not to eat cupcakes when I’m there, but my mom’s health has me thinking about my own health. But even as I say that, I justify unhealthy eating with this.” I raise a finger. “I do have a gym at the house. I’ll pay for my sins there.” I try to lift the lid on my silver bowl but it’s this foil top thing that is ridiculously hard to get off.

“I’ve got it,” Dash says, grabbing it. “They seal in the heat but make you solve a puzzle to get to the food.” Only he doesn’t struggle at all. He has the lid off in an instant.

I have a feeling the vodka is working me over more than I even realize.

“I’ve had practice,” he assures me as if he’s read my mind. “I order there all the time.”

“You don’t have to make me feel better. I’ve had vodka. I know what that means.”

He laughs a soft, sexy laugh, and says, “It does require a magic touch. Promise.”

Now I laugh. “Is that what you call not being able to open my own food container?”

He winks, and I’ve already come to love those winks, probably a bit too much, but I blame that on the vodka, too. “Try it,” he urges. “It’s really good.”

“Hopefully I’ll remember it in the morning.”

“You better remember everything in the morning.”

My cheeks heat but I still manage the rather daring reply of, “I’m pretty sure I’ll remember the good parts.”

“I’m pretty sure I want you to tell me what those were.”

“Some things a girl keeps to herself,” I say quickly, not about to start detailing more intimate matters.

“She shouldn’t,” he says. “Or how else will the guy know what to keep doing?”

“I think you’ve figured it out on your own, Dash Black.”

“We’ll see, won’t we.”

I think that means he’s planning on us getting naked again which is fine and good, but I really do need to sober up if I plan to enjoy myself. With that mission in mind, and it’s a really inviting mission, I take a bite of my food and it’s good, really good. “Okay this is definitely memorable,” I say. “And this place is in your building?”

“Yes,” he says. “And on that, I’m a lucky man.” He takes a bite.

There seems to be an undertone of him being unlucky in other areas, but I decide I’m reading too much into the comment. “Very,” I agree, and we both reach for our waters before digging back in, but I almost land my bite on the front of me. Of course, I do. I slide down onto the floor. “I’m safer here,” I say, glancing up at Dash. “Less distance between your shirt and my food.”

He laughs, and I do love Dash’s laugh. It’s warm and genuine and does funny things to my chest. He joins me on the floor and moves the table slightly closer. “How long have you lived here?” I ask.

“Since the first movie,” he says. “I was in a house, still near downtown, but it ended up on one of those tourist tours. It was insanity. This place came on the market and the privacy it offers won me over.”

“I guess I wasn’t fair to you earlier in the elevator. I do know how you handle fame, and that is humbly and well. I forget you’re kind of a big star when I’m with you. You don’t act like a star. Actually, Tyler is the one who acts like a diva.”