We were on our second glass of wine in the airport lounge—which meant our fourth of the afternoon—when she broached a subject I’d hoped she wouldn’t.
“I’ve noticed that whenever you say ‘Cortez,’ your cheeks flush.”
“They don’t.”
&
nbsp; “Yes. They do. You’re hot for him. Don’t try lying to me.”
“You’ll take the piss out of me for his age.”
“You always fancy the older ones.”
“He’s not that old.”
“He’s not as old as—” She stopped talking and peered over my shoulder.
“He’s here, isn’t he?”
“I’ll just run off to the loo before we board the plane.”
I turned around and watched Teagon leave and Cortez walk toward me.
“Kensington.”
“Rile.”
He smiled. “I see you’re pleased with my choice of escort.”
“How did you know she’s my best mate?”
“I have my sources.” He stepped closer, and I breathed in the scent of him.
“I’m sorry I panicked. I suppose I could’ve gotten myself away from Kiki’s, but the idea that Konstantine could arrive at any moment overwhelmed me.”
He reached out and cupped my cheek with his palm. “You look well.”
“It’s been unseasonably warm, so I’ve been spending time at the pool.”
“Not racing speedboats?”
I smiled and felt flush, in part because of the wine, but more because of his closeness. “That too.”
“I came to say goodbye that day.”
“I know.”
“And yet you ran away.”
“Cortez, I…” What could I say? I rushed off because I wanted him to kiss me again and I knew he wouldn’t? Or that I wanted to beg him to take me with him instead of leaving me at Kiki’s? And that I wanted to be with him more than I wanted to get away from my mother.
Teagon approached slowly, and I waved her over.
“Hello, Rile,” she said, bumping his shoulder.
“Good afternoon, Angel.”
Angel? He called her angel? And I’d just admitted I was hot for him? Or maybe she’d accused me of it, but either way…oh my God. Cortez and Teagon were together.