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“Yeah.” Ari sat up, kneeing Sloane in the tailbone as she pulled her leg out and sat properly. “Fine.” The beer was thick and chocolaty, but she took a big sip anyway.

Sloane’s hazel eyes penetrated Ari deeper than Robinson’s x-ray machine. “You sure?” She didn’t blink as she examined her face.

“We can call it a night,” Ralph o ered.

Under the weight of Sloane’s gaze, Ari had already forgotten he was there.

Grateful she hadn’t jumped after being startled by the sound of his voice, Ari shook her head. “No, no. I’m fine. It’s just been a long day and I didn’t sleep much last night.”

Ralph smiled. “I never sleep before trial either,” he admitted. “Maybe we should leave this to be continued until Friday when the whole gang can join.”

“What a fantastic idea,” Sloane echoed. “It’ll be more fun with everybody here.”

Ari still couldn’t believe this was the same Sloane that had refused any social interactions since she’d gotten there.

Now she was practically putting together an afterwork happy hour? Nothing was making sense.

Am I really this sleep deprived?

“I’m happy to walk with you to the train station,” Ralph said, signaling his defeat and accepting this night had not gone to plan.

“No need. I parked right outside. I’ll drop her o ,” Sloane answered for her.

The remaining light in Ralph’s eyes dimmed. “All right then. I guess I’ll see you all tomorrow. Good job, Ari. You’re going to sleep like a baby tonight.”

Sloane grinned. “She will.”

Once Ralph was gone, Sloane turned to her. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Don’t be crazy,” Ari replied, taking a step back as if that might break the trance she couldn’t shake. “You’re the one who drank the cider.”

“Crazy?” Sloane’s throat danced when she laughed. “Is that your way of saying wow, Sloane, you were so right and also thank you.”

Ari laughed. “Thank you? That’s what you’re expecting from your weird ass behavior? I mean, we hate each other, for shit’s sake. What are you even doing?”

Sloane flinched. “Proving you wrong,” she decided, her face hardening, her previously vibrant energy chilling.

Right in front of Ari’s eyes she was returning to the distant, isolated version of Sloane she’d known for the last month. The part of Ari that hadn’t grown resentful wanted to chase her, to keep her from retreating. But pride made Ari shake her head and dismiss her.

“Okay, well, I’m so glad you wasted an hour of your life,”

Ari set down the drink she’d barely touched, “just to prove you were right. I can think of better things to do with my life, but who am I to judge.”

Instead of snapping back, Sloane’s lip twitched into a smirk before disappearing. Ari shouldn’t have given her the satisfaction.

“Did he get a chance to make his move?” Sloane asked moving closer to her before thinking better of it. “I can’t even imagine it. Did he yawn and stretch before putting his arm around your shoulders?” She laughed. “I bet he learned all his moves from the Disney Channel.”

Ari couldn’t stop her bark of laughter. Ralph did look like the kind of guy who would try something lame like that.

Sloane o ered

a lopsided smile. “Come on, I’ll give you a ride to the train, or,” she checked her watch, “I can drop you o under whatever bridge you call home.”

“Aren’t you the sweetest,” Ari replied sarcastically, but her lips were still quirked in a smile. “I drove today. I only told Ralph I took the metro as a backup escape plan.”

Sloane nodded in amused approval before spinning on her heel and disappearing into the chaos of the bar.

What the actual hell was that?