She tried to hold it back, but I saw the flash of worry streak across her face.
“I know you’re worried about what tomorrow will bring, Aster, and we’ll face it together. But for now…for tonight…we celebrate us.”
Because we’d spent too damn long living without.
“Then tomorrow, we tellthirty daysit can suck it.” A smirk split my mouth.
Aster choked out a soggy laugh. “I like that plan.”
I stepped forward and pressed my lips to her forehead. “Me, too, baby. Me, too.”
I took her hand and led her out into the main room. Gretchen sat forward from where she was on the couch thumbing through a magazine, and she pressed her hand to her heart.
“Woo wee, you two are gonna cause an accident walking around like that. Holy hell fire and obscenities. Best looking couple that I ever did see, if I don’t say so myself. You’d better bring a bat to fight off anyone who gets to looking at your man too hard.”
She winked at Aster.
Aster giggled. “Don’t worry, G. I’m going to fight for him, just like he’ll fight for me.”
“Well, if you need backup, you know where to find me. I’m feeling extra frisky tonight. Two of us? They won’t even know what hit ’em.”
* * *
Thirty minutes later we pulled into the Absolution parking lot.
Blue neon lights shined like a beacon through the misty, frozen air. A vibe curled through the night, promising revelry and probably a little debauchery, too.
As usual, the place was packed, but when there would normally be a line winding around the building, tonight it was ticket-only. Trent’s general manager, Sage, had organized a kick-ass party. Some super popular band, A Riot of Roses, was playing, and it promised to be a madhouse inside.
I glanced to where Aster sat, and my heart panged in my fucking chest. I couldn’t wait to share it with her.
I wound around to the employee lot so we could sneak in the side door, and I was out and opening Aster’s door and making her giggle as I rushed to help her up.
“Someone’s excited.”
Grinning, I tugged her against my chest. “You know I’m always game for a party, baby, and we’re just getting started.”
“Sounds fun.” It was pure innuendo.
Flirty.
Loved that side of my girl, too.
“So much fun,” I rumbled, and I dipped down to peck a quick kiss to her lips before I stepped back and took her hand. “Let’s get you inside where it’s warm.”
She was wearing her heavy coat again, but it didn’t do a whole lot to cover her legs.
We scrambled over the pitted parking lot and to the side door, both of us cracking up by the time we got there since we’d been slipping and sliding all over the frozen pavement.
Our breath was vapor that misted around us.
Our joy a shout that sang from our souls.
Keeping her close, I reached in and pulled the door open. Milo was standing guard. His smile turned soft when he realized it was us and not some prick trying to sneak in.
“Milo, my man, how have you been?” We gave each other a quick hug with a clap to the shoulder. “Can’t complain, now, can I?”
His smile was slow when he turned his attention on Aster. “Good to see you again. I see you’re putting up with this guy.”