Page 99 of Dirty Martini

“Okay, okay,” I hear Elton say, something sheepish in his voice. “I can tell I’m not wanted.”

When Rhys and I part and he sets me down, Elton is nowhere to be found. I laugh, pressing my forehead against his, absolutely living for the deliriously happy smile on his lips. He fucking did it. The University of Miami would have been idiots to not accept him, but you never know. I’m so insanely proud of him. There’s so much I want to say, but in the middle of a club while he’s trying to work isn’t exactly the ideal time.

I guess I’ll just have to show him just howproudI am of him later.

“Drinks,” I blurt out, suddenly remembering my purpose here.

He snorts and gives my ass a solid pat. “Go see Skylar and tell him I’ll take care of the bill.”

“With all this money, I would expect nothing less.”

“Says the spoiled brat.” I go to walk away, but Rhys catches my elbow. He drags me back to him, and I think for a moment he’s going to suggest we go get it on in the storage closet again, but his face is far too serious for that. “I can’t believe this is really happening.”

My heart cracks a little. After years of believing only bad things happen, of thinking he had no future, I can see why it’s hard to accept when a good thing comes his way.

But he doesn’t have to be scared or wary anymore. “You deserve all of it, Rhys.”

He deserves everything and more. This guy I used to worship then hate and now love is the most incredible person in the world.

I got damn lucky, I know that. With everything we’ve been through, all the shit we had to overcome, it seems almost impossible that this is where we are now. But here we are, one fucked-up love story later, so in intoxicated with each other it’s ridiculous.

And I wouldn’t have changed anything if it meant this is where it led.

The End