Page 4

Jo responded with a smile, which sent sparks of electricity everywhere the two of them touched. “Maybe,” Jo said, tightening her grip on Evelyn a little more. “But I think you’re selling yourself short.”

Moving together in the sea of other dancers, Evelyn became intensely aware of her own body. She felt the warmth of Jo’s hands resting on her hips, the whisper of her breath against her neck, and how perfectly they seemed to fit together. All of it was intoxicating, and it had nothing to do with the drinks she consumed earlier.

As the music’s tempo increased, Jo suddenly spun Evelyn away, only to gently pull her back in close. The surprisemovement sent Evelyn’s head spinning, and for a moment, she stumbled, bumping against Jo’s hard body.

“Whoa,” Jo said, steadying her with a firm grip. “Easy there. You okay?”

Nodding, Evelyn felt her face burn with embarrassment. “Sorry, I just got dizzy,” she answered. “I can be a little clumsy.”

Jo’s eyes searched Evelyn’s face, dark and intense in the dim light. “I wouldn’t call that clumsy,” she said, but before Evelyn could answer, the music changed to a new song, and Jo’s grip loosened. “You know what? How about we grab another drink?” Jo leaned in a little closer. “I want to get to know you better.”

Her breath catching in her throat, all Evelyn could do was nod. Maybe she should politely decline or make excuses about needing to return to her friends and her sister.Let’s face it, she thought.It’s the sensible thing to do, the kind of decision I usually make.Yet, as she looked into Jo’s handsome face, Evelyn felt something unfamiliar. She felt brave. “Yes,” she said, unable to hide the breathiness in her voice. “I’d like that.”

In response, Jo’s face lit up with a smile so charming that Evelyn’s heart skipped a beat. “Perfect,” she said, taking Evelyn’s hand. “Let’s do this.” As Jo led her toward the bar, Evelyn couldn’t help but notice her sister and friends watching from the table in the corner. Jasmine’s eyebrows rose in surprise while Sophie and Brooke exchanged glances. Evelyn felt a pang of guilt for abandoning them during her own birthday celebration. But then Jo’s thumb brushed over her palm, and all other thoughts fled from her mind. They reached the bar, and Jo claimed two empty stools. She helped Evelyn onto one before sliding onto the seat beside her.

The bartender, a slender woman with vibrant pink hair, gave them a smile. “What would you like?” she asked, and Jo turned to Evelyn.

“Yes, what would you like?” she said with a twinkle in her eye.

Not sure what to do in this sudden, unexpected situation, Evelyn hesitated. She had already drunk more tonight than she planned, and a small voice warned her to be careful. But another part of her, the larger part that still tingled from Jo’s touch on the dance floor, craved something to calm her nerves. “Well,” she said. “How about a Cosmopolitan?” She hoped she sounded more worldly and confident than she felt.

Jo nodded. “Excellent choice,” she said, glancing at the bartender. “And you know what? How about one for me?” The bartender’s eyebrows rose a beat before she moved away to prepare the drinks. While they waited, Jo faced Evelyn again, and their knees brushed. It was casual, yet it felt deliberate to Evelyn, and she had to suppress a gasp.

“So,” Jo said, her voice low and intimate despite the club’s noise. “You know my name, but I don’t know yours.”

“It’s Evelyn,” she whispered.

“Evelyn,” Jo repeated, clearly savoring the name. “That’s a beautiful name. And Evelyn, can I ask what you do for a living? Wait, let me guess. It’s something highly intellectual and important.”

Surprised, Evelyn let out a laugh. “How could you know that?” she asked. “I could do anything for a living.”

Jo’s eyes twinkled. “Consider it a lucky guess,” she said with a wink. “Let’s just say you have that slightly overworked but brilliant glimmer in your eyes.”

“Hmm,” Evelyn said. “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or not.” She blushed, surprised at her boldness.

“Oh, it definitely is,” Jo said with a chuckle. “I find intelligence incredibly sexy.” Evelyn felt her cheeks heat at Jo’s words. The arrival of their drinks saved her from responding.

As Jo picked up her glass, she raised it in a toast. “To new friends,” she said, her eyes locking with Evelyn’s. “And new experiences.”

Swallowing hard, Evelyn picked up hers and clinked it against Jo’s, her heart racing. “To new friends,” she echoed. “And new experiences.” She took a sip of her drink. The vodka mixed with cranberry burned pleasantly as it went down, adding to the warmth already spreading through her body.

Jo leaned in slightly. “You still haven’t answered my question.”

“All right,” Evelyn said. “I’m an environmental conservation research assistant.” She sipped her drink again. “I promise it’s more exciting than it sounds.”

Without missing a beat, Jo nodded. “I believe you,” she said, reaching to tuck a strand of blonde hair behind Evelyn’s ear. The casual gesture, where her fingers brushed against Evelyn’s skin, sent shivers down her spine. Jo’s eyes met hers. “Because you seem very exciting to me.”

The woman’s intent was clear in her gaze, and Evelyn felt a mix of nervousness and anticipation fluttering in her stomach. If she were honest with herself, she was in completely uncharted territory. A deviation from her carefully planned life. Yet, meeting Jo’s gaze she realized that for once, she didn’t want to overthink things.I want to live in the moment, she thought.I want to see where this might lead. With courage she didn’t know she possessed, Evelyn closed the distance between them. Their lips met, and Jo tasted of vodka, cranberry, and infinite possibility. As the world faded around them, Evelyn knew in her heart that whatever happened next, her life would never be the same.

Three

Jo’s heart pounded, and her mind raced to catch up with what had happened. One moment, she and Evelyn were sitting at the bar ordering drinks. The next, Evelyn’s lips were on hers, soft and tentative yet undeniably against hers. For a split second, Jo froze, caught completely off guard by Evelyn’s boldness. Being kissed wasn’t how things usually went. Jo was always the initiator, the one in control. But as the initial shock wore off, a flood of warmth rushed through her body, and instinct took over.

Finding Evelyn’s hips with her hands, Jo leaned closer as she deepened the kiss. She felt Evelyn’s slight gasp against her lips, and it sent a shiver down her spine. As she relished the woman’s mouth, she marveled at how right everything felt. She had kissed countless women inSapphireover the years, but none had affected her quite like this one. There was a sweetness to Evelyn’s kiss, an earnestness that contrasted sharply with Jo’s usual experiences. It was intoxicating. Just as Jo was losing herself in the sensation, Evelyn suddenly pulled away. Both women sat there, breathless and wide-eyed, staring at each other in shock and barely concealed desire. Jo’s mind raced, trying to process what happened and why it left her feeling so... different.

Evelyn’s cheeks were flushed, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she caught her breath. Her eyes held a mix of surprise and something darker.She’s totally turned on,Jo thought as their gaze held. She was captivated by the sight.

“I... I’m sorry,” Evelyn stammered, her voice barely audible over the music. “I don’t know why I did that.”