Blame it on the Vodka (Blame it on the Alcohol)

“I know.”

“How did you get these?” I asked.

“You mean, how did I get exclusive opening night tickets to Hamburg Stacks art gallery showing that don’t go on sale for another month?”

“Opening night?” I parroted.

“Yup, the only night he’ll be there.”

“Holy shit.”

“Do you love it?” she asked, looking more excited than me.

“Hell, yes, but there are two tickets here. I guess I’ll have to find someone to go with,” I teased.

“I don’t freaking think so.”

“But you hate art shows.”

“I don’t hate them. I find them a little boring, but you love going, and I love going with you. And I love watching you love art, so of course, I’m going to go.”

My heart pumped a little harder. I was damned lucky to have Rae in my life in any way. “Thank you.”

She smiled like it was nothing, and I pulled her in for a hug, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. Her arms held me close, and I basked in the moment, not allowing myself to linger too long.

Friend.

“So, the flight leaves at twelve-fifteen?” she asked, stepping back.

“Yup. Do you want me to Uber to the airport with you?”

“Nah, I’ll meet you there. Besides, I’ll still be packing by the time you get to the airport seven hours early.”

“Please,” I scoffed. “I’ll only be there six and a half hours early. The airport doesn’t open until six.”

“You’re ridiculous,” she laughed.

Taking a chance with the moment alone and light mood, I shifted the subject. “Is everything okay?”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“With you and Bodie.”

Her eyes dropped. “I mean, he’s annoying, but I’m fine.”

“You sure?”

“Austin,” she started, finally meeting my eyes. The Rae I knew and loved stared me down, but something was missing. “It’s me. If anything wasn’t fine, I’d crush him.”

“Yeah,” I answered, but not with the same exuberance I should have.

“By the way, I was thinking of booking the full spa package for when we get to the hotel.”

“That sounds fun for you.”

“Oh, no. You’re coming with. I’m thinking facials and pedicures.”

“Rae…” I warned, but it was drowned out by a much sharper voice.

“Raelynn. Let’s go,” Bodie snapped from the door.

She jumped but quickly covered it with a wink and a gun. “It’s already mentally booked, therefore it has to happen. I can’t wait for our spa day.”

“You’re lucky I like you,” I groaned, following her out.

She blew me a kiss before ducking into the car. I caught it like I always did and slapped it on my cheek, loving her smile—wishing it was a real kiss goodbye and not the air kisses we used as a joke.

I wished for a lot. I wished Rae was more than my friend, but she didn’t do relationships. Not really. What she had with Bodie was a farce, and the only thing I had on my mind was marrying her.

Nothing less would do.

Unfortunately, anything more than sex was never on the table, and as much as I desired her, fantasized about every inch of her—about what it would feel like to be inside her—I’d rather have a lifetime of friendship than just a moment of bliss.

I hated the way he’d been such a shock to the solar plexus when Rae actually called him her boyfriend. She’d explained it as an experiment. It made sense since he’d been so absent in the beginning. But as the months went on, he was always there, and now it all felt like a ruse for a campaign photo op. Anyone who knew her, knew she didn’t really want to be with him, and as much as I tried to convince myself it was just for looks, something pricked at my conscious that more lingered beyond the surface.

Although, maybe that was just my complete and utter disdain for the prick.

Chapter Two

Raelynn

“I still don’t think you should go,” Bodie said, making his way to my liquor cabinet.

I almost said something about drinking my alcohol before noon but thought better of it. Instead, using my time to shove my last few things into my carry-on. The quicker I packed, the quicker I could leave and be away from him.

I’d avoided him over the last week since dinner at my parents. He’d been more on edge lately, and our drive home had been filled with a heavy silence between snappy words.

I hated it.

I was Raelynn Vos. I didn’t hide from anyone.

At least I didn’t use to.

But over the last year, a lot changed—like Bodie. The boyfriend that hadn’t seemed too bad to have for parties and photo ops—who hadn’t cared what I did most of the time, slowly changed to caring a lot. He’d shifted from aloof to a stage five clinger who got increasingly angry when I wasn’t available to him.

His moods were another change—one I didn’t want to think about.

“It’s my best friend’s wedding. I have to go,” I explained, rolling my eyes behind his back where he couldn’t see.