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Add in that it was also the night before the important block party and possibly her last shot at keeping the garage above water.And basically Evelyn’s going-away party, she thought.I don’t think I could have packed more freight into this evening if I tried.

Turning into the alley besideSapphire, Jo slipped into her usual spot. She killed the engine.

Evelyn looked at her. “You doing okay?” she asked softly, reaching across the console to touch Jo’s arm.

That small gesture made Jo’s heart soften, but she wasn’t ready to go there, so instead she forced her usual sexy smile. “Yeah,” she said. “Thinking about the fundraiser tomorrow. Big day.”

Evelyn tilted her head, clearly not buying it. “Right,” she said gently. “That’s it.”

Not ready to discuss it further, Jo pushed open her door. “Come on,” she said, tossing her jacket over her shoulder. “Let’s go have fun.”

Inside,Sapphirewas already pulsing with life. The lighting was low, flashes of color moved across the dance floor. Music thudded from the speakers, the base so thick you could feel it in your stomach. Familiar faces turned toward them as they stepped inside.

“Jo!” someone called near the pool table. “I was starting to think you died or something.”

Smiling, Jo offered a lazy wave. “Still kicking,” she said as another bar regular elbowed her friend and shot a teasing grin Jo’s way.

“Damn, Fuller,” she said. “Didn’t know you came with arm candy now.” Beside her, Jo felt Evelyn stiffen, and Jo grimaced internally as she steered them toward the bar counter.

Jess, behind the bar in a pink tank top, matching hair, and her signature eyeliner, let out a low whistle as she spotted Jo approaching. “Look who the cat dragged in,” she said, reaching for a glass out of habit. “The usual?”

“Yep,” Jo said quickly, and Jess looked at Evelyn.

“And for your lady?”

Unable to help herself, Jo flinched a little, and before she could answer, Evelyn stepped closer to the bar. “Cosmopolitan,” she said softly. “Thanks.” As Jess turned to make the drinks, Evelyn leaned closer to whisper in Jo’s ear. “Don’t worry. I’m not asking you to announce our relationship on the bar’s PA system.”

Jo nodded, grateful for Evelyn’s patience but even more grateful for the drink that arrived in her hand seconds later. “Thanks, Jess,” she said, slipping a bill over the counter.

Jess winked. “You better be back on the dance floor tonight,” she said over the music. “It’s not a Friday without you.”

Feeling a tug of anxiety in her stomach, Jo saluted with her beer. “Cheers to being infamous,” she said before they made their way through the crowd toward the high-top where Jasmine, Sophie, and Brooke already waited. Jasmine caught sight of them and waved enthusiastically. Evelyn waved back as she grabbed Jo’s hand to lead them to the table. Forcing herself to go with it, Jo followed.

When they reached the table, Sophie gave a little whoop. “The guest of honor arrives.”

Jasmine pulled Evelyn into a hug. “I told them you wouldn’t miss a chance for a going-away party,” she said, then gave Jo a look. “Nice of you to escort her.”

Something about Jasmine’s gaze made Jo straighten. “Wouldn’t have missed it,” she said as the group shifted to make more room. Evelyn stayed close, and Jo didn’t pull away, but she felt it. That creeping anxiety again. The one that haunted her for the last two weeks.This is too much, she thought.Too domestic. Too final. Jo suddenly felt the edges of the room crowd in. The drinks, the music, the laughs of people who knew how she used to be. People who might still expect her to be that person. With Evelyn leaving in two days, tonight was the night Jo had to decide.Am I going to be the playerSapphireexpects?Or am I going to be the partner Evelyn deserves?

Laughing, Brooke grabbed Sophie by the hand and spun her on the dancefloor. Both women giggled over something Evelyn hadn’t caught, but seeing them having fun made Evelyn feel good. Jasmine stood nearby, drink in hand, watching the scene with a small smile. Music pulsed through the club. It was loud. It was fun.And exactly what I needed tonight, she thought.Everything has been too intense.Still, even with the happy buzz of friendship and dancing, Evelyn couldn’t ignore the tensionthat whispered at the edge of her thoughts. Jo was beside her. Close, attentive, though not exactly warm, but not cold either. Just somewhere in between, and the in-between was starting to hurt.

Evelyn had told herself not to expect too much. She had reasoned through every possibility before she ever put on her dress tonight. She didn’t own Jo. She hadn’t asked for a promise.Hell, I haven’t even asked what she plans to do once I’m gone, she thought.Will she keep going toSapphireevery Friday?Evelyn’s eyes drifted to the crowded dance floor.Will she go back to being the heartbreaker in the leather jacket with the sexy smiles and the irresistible charm?She shook the thoughts away as Mica appeared at their table holding a tray high above her head.

“Okay, I am officially that friend,” she announced, setting the tray down with a grin. “A shot for the going-away girl, and one for her emotional support entourage.”

“What exactly are we drinking?” Jasmine asked dubiously, picking up a golden shot glass.

“Something tropical, slightly toxic, and guaranteed to make you forgive bad dance moves,” Mica said, offering Evelyn a wink. “Bottoms up.”

Laughing despite herself, Evelyn accepted the shot and clinked glasses with the others. “To being brave,” she said, mostly to herself, then tipped it back. It was sweet at first, then burned all the way down. She coughed as she set the glass down. “I hope I don’t regret that in the morning.”

Jo chuckled beside her. “Maybe we’d better dance it off,” she said, and Evelyn met her gaze, that familiar flutter starting inside her.

Looking at Jo, Evelyn decided she wouldn’t let that comment go, and she wasn’t going to wait any longer for Jo to make a move. “Come with me,” she said softly, slipping her handinto Jo’s. Jo hesitated for the briefest second, then let Evelyn tug her from the table and onto the dance floor. The music wrapped around them. Bodies swayed and spun. Evelyn didn’t wait. Finding more courage than she ever imagined she had, she placed both hands on Jo’s shoulders and guided her closer.

Clearly liking the temporary change of who was in charge, a smile lit up Jo’s face, and she let her hands slide to Evelyn’s waist with practiced ease. Her thumbs moved lightly back and forth against the fabric above Evelyn’s hips. “Someone’s feeling bold tonight,” she murmured, voice low, full of flirtation.

With a small smile and half-closed eyes, Evelyn leaned in so their bodies met fully. “Maybe I’m trying to hold your attention for a little longer.”