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sixteen

Rory

Cole

Any more pictures for me, Starlight?

Rory

The one this morning wasn’t enough?

Cole

Hey, I’ll take the sight of you in cowboy boots

But I’m sure you look good right now, too

Since our almost-kiss, Cole has been so much flirtier .

We haven’t stopped texting since the moment the girls and I landed in Vegas. I’m not glued to my phone, of course, since we’re here for Ella, but whenever I can, Cole and I are firing texts off to each other.

When I sent him the picture of me in my outfit for Garth Brooks, he was clear in expressing how good I look in cowboy boots and flannel. I felt a little ridiculous in it last night, but now it might just be my favorite outfit.

And here we are with him telling me that he’s sure I look good now, too.

He ain’t wrong.

I’ve got shapewear on, so the skin-tight black leather dress I’m wearing tonight makes me feel so sexy . I’ve got a deep shade of red on my lips to match my strappy heels.

I look good .

Rory

You seem a little eager to see me, Sparrow

Cole

Well, you aren’t here

Pic is all I can get right now

Rory

It almost sounds like you miss me

Cole

Maybe I do

Would that be so bad?

Rory

No

Because I miss you, too

It’s been a lot of fun hanging out with you more over the last month

Cole

Glad you think so

Because I’m not going anywhere

You’re stuck with me

Rory

There are worse people I could be stuck with

“Who are you texting, Ror?” Harlow says, popping her head up over my shoulder as I scream bloody murder, and my phone flies out of my hand, thankfully landing on the soft bed instead of the hard floor.

“Lo, what the fuck?!” I have my hand on my chest, trying to calm my racing heart. “You know you can’t do that to me.”

She’s laughing her ass off as Lucia and Ella look over to see what the commotion is. “Come on, it’s not like I get the opportunity for that often.”

“Easy to do when she’s barely let her phone out of her hand,” Ella laughs.

“I have not been on my phone that much,” I chide, hands on my hips.

“No,” Lucia says, “but you are on it pretty much every free second you’ve had.”

“So,” Harlow smirks. “Who were you texting?”

I groan as I sink into the bed. “You all know exactly who I was texting.”

“Wait, Harlow knows now, too?” Ella shouts. “I didn’t even get to know the secret that long!”

“Yeah, well, it kinda got to the point where I couldn’t keep it from her. She had it figured out anyway. Apparently, I’m really fucking obvious because all three of you knew before I told you.”

“Is there actually anyone that doesn’t know?” Lucia asks.

“Josh doesn’t know, not to my knowledge,” Ella answers. “I never mentioned it to him, and he’s kind of oblivious.”

“It’s gotta just be Josh then,” Harlow adds. “Lane figures everything out, so he has to know.”

“How surprised would you all be if I told you he only found out a few weeks ago?”

“Seriously?” Lucia exclaims. “He figures out every fucking thing we try to hide.”

“I have no idea how he missed it, but he didn’t know until I told him I was having guy problems. I didn’t tell him who the guy was, but he connected the dots when he ran into Cole and me at Urban Grind. The look on his face when he realized it was Cole was utter disbelief.”

“This is the same man that tricked Knox earlier this year. How the hell is that possible?” Harlow asks.

“No fucking clue,” I admit. “But can we please stop talking about me? This night is about Ella.”

“You’re right,” Ella says, throwing on her Bride-To-Be sash. “Now, let’s go get wasted and celebrate the last bit of my single life.”

“I love Las Vegas!” Ella shouts, fixing the veil someone randomly placed on her head. I don’t know why someone had a veil with them, but nothing is that strange in Sin City.

Harlow, Lucia, and I dissolve into a fit of laughter as we trail behind her up the Vegas Strip.

I lost count of how many bars we visited tonight. We’d get someone to buy us drinks—which is really easy to do when you’re with a bride-to-be—before we danced a bit, and then we were off to the next one, repeating the same process.

My heels are slung over my shoulders right now so I don’t break my ankle—I’m far too drunk to walk in the five-inch stilettos that I can hardly stand in sober.

“Oh!” Harlow exclaims. “There’s that wedding chapel!”

“There’s like a hundred of those in this city, Lo,” I slur.

She rolls her eyes. “But this is the one in front of us!” she says before stumbling sideways, laughing as she finds her balance again.

“She’s just got marriage on her mind,” Ella says cheerily, resting her head on Harlow’s shoulder.

Lucia joins in now. “I bet she does. She has a sexy, six foot four knuckleballer waiting for her at home.”

Harlow blushes as she covers her face with her hands. “I’m not thinking about that.”

“You know you wanna marry himmmmm,” I say, dragging out the last word in a singsong voice.

“I do,” she smiles, face lighting up in pure joy. “But not yet and not in Vegas. We’ve really only been together since summer—I just want us to enjoy some time together first. And if/when we get married, I want a wedding. So does Knox.”

“Of course he does,” I laugh. “That man wants whatever you want. He’s disgustingly in love with you.”

“I know,” Harlow sighs, content and happy as she leans against Ella’s head still perched on her shoulder. “I’m fucking obsessed with him.”

“We know, ojitos.” Lucia turns to me now. “Would you ever elope, Rory?”

“Yes,” I admit. “I’m sure I’d enjoy a wedding, but as long as I love the man I’m with, I’d get married wherever. We could have a large wedding, a small ceremony, or a Vegas elopement. I’m fine with anything as long as I’m happy.”

Ella smiles at me. “Now we just need Rory to find her future husband.”

I can’t help but blush because we all know who I want that man to be.

As if on cue, my phone buzzes in my clutch. I fish it out to find a text from Cole lighting up my screen.

Cole

Good morning, Starlight

Rory

It’s like three in the morning

That doesn’t count

Cole

Six for me, Ror

It’s bright and early back in NYC

Rory

Why the fuck are you awake then?

Cole

Because I’m heading to the gym

Gotta keep in shape, Fisher

Rory

Mmm worth it, then

Cole

That so?

Rory

Oh yes

You know you look good

Cole

Yeah, of course, I know it

But it’s a real fucking confidence booster to have you say it

Rory

Then I’ll say it more often, Sparrow

Because you always look so fucking good

Especially when you wear your hat backward

God, that’s so hot

Cole

You’re a flirty drunk, aren’t you?

Rory

I don’t know

I just know that you’re cute, and I apparently have to tell you that more

Cole

You can tell me that anytime you want, baby

Rory

Attachment: 1 image

Cole

Jesus

Rory

Nope, just Rory

Cole

Well, “just Rory” looks really goddamn good right now

That dress?

Fuck me

Rory

Keep dreaming, Pierce

Cole

Oh, believe me, I will

I smile as I clutch my phone against my chest. God, I like him.

I like him so fucking much.

I really wish he had kissed me.

Ugh, why does he have to be so damn cute?

And sexy.

And hot as fucking hell.

Mmm. I should’ve asked him to send me a shirtless pic. I bet he would’ve done it. Then I could drool over his abs and tattoos.

“Rory!” Lucia shouts, slurring her speech. “Keep up, bitch!”

I shove my phone back into my clutch and start stumbling my way forward. “Coming!”