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BODHI

What a night.

First, that asshole Jared and now this. I had to take the blame—it’s instinctual at this point for me to protect her at all costs.

She doesn’t deserve any of it, whether she dressed like this purposely or not. Again, she’s stunning in anything.

I already sent a message to Jack, hoping he sees it later, that we need to have a little chat about the reporter boy keeping his job.

That’s a battle I’m willing to fight until justice is served on Navy’s behalf.

However, now isn’t the time to talk to him about it.

Despite my frustration with our unfortunate encounters tonight, I’m ready to turn things around for my girl and show her how much she means to me.

I hope my standing up for her has already shown her a little, but it’s time for the grand gesture.

We make our way through the crowd off the side of the dance floor in search of our friends. I catch sight of Gus and his pornstache standing against a wooden pillar, waiting for the DJ to open up the floor.

Cal and Kodi are to the side of them.

Navy lets go of my hand when they come into view, and I chuckle before whispering to her mid-stride. “Embarrassed to be seen with me, baby?”

She blushes and murmurs under her breath before we reach them, “No. it’s just inappropriate.”

We’ll see about that.

Little does she know that, if she lets me, I have many inappropriate things in mind for her later.

“Where’d you two run off to?” Gus asks as we take a spot beside them.

I steal a glance at Cal, finding him staring at me with a look I can’t quite read. Typically, I know exactly what he’s thinking without him saying it.

But not right now.

“Oh, Bodhi was approached by a sponsor. I played my role as his buffer perfectly. A+ for me, fuck you very much,” Navy answers.

They all laugh.

I chuckle. “Yep. She helped take the edge off. I’m terrible with my words.”

But really, I am, and Navy knows that firsthand.

On the other hand, she took the edge off from the craving for her soft lips on mine.

Jesus Christ, I’ll never forget the feeling of hers latching onto mine and the moans leaving her swollen lips.

Cal nods, and Kodi turns beat red—she knows something.

My money is on my favorite little redhead telling her best friend something secretive…about me. Can’t wait to dig for more.

“You good, Navs?” Cal asks her.

“Mhm,” she responds, and I know she’s not. She’s regretting her outfit choice, and I hate that her confidence is being spit on by two miserable human beings.

“You guys hanging here or dancing?” I ask the group, ready to set my plan in motion.

“Gonna finish this drink first,” Gus says while Cal nods again.

I’ll worry about his weirdness later.

Right now, it’s about getting Navy to smile again.

I turn toward Gus’s date, whom I don’t know, and tell her, “Here. Hold my beer, please.” I hand my lukewarm beer to her and turn to meet Navy.

“I’ll be right back, okay,” I whisper in her ear.

“Okay,” she says sweetly.

First, I need to get the DJ’s attention. I have a specific request and need him to cooperate. Lucky for me, money solves everything, and he grants my request without a fight.

Now, I need to find something… messy.

I scan the gala, looking for the dessert table. They may have some desserts with food dye. That would be perfect.

I find the dessert table near a cocktail waitress. My pace quickens as I approach her. “Excuse me, ma’am? Can I grab a few of these? My girlfriend over there is pregnant, it’s new, and she’s craving sweets.”

I’m desperate at this point.

The waitress hesitates for a moment before saying, “Fine. Go ahead.”

I fist bump the air. Yes!

Not gonna lie; I don’t feel like myself.

What I’m about to do is unlike anything anyone in this room would ever expect from me, and I’m not thinking twice about it.

All I know is Navy is fucking sad and all she wanted to do was dance.

So we’re gonna dance.

Time to surprise her.