Page 28 of Somewhere Only We Know (Healing in Cincy #4)

When the doors open, I hold my hand out to Jax and follow in closely after her.

I hit the button for the ‘Lobby’ and lean against the other side of the elevator car.

Jax manages to avoid looking at me as she looks all around the elevator, but I keep my eyes on her.

She’s an expert at avoidance and thankfully we have three more floors until we’re off .

“So…” I start and push off the wall, taking a step closer to her.

“So…” she says and matches my step. The familiar scent of jasmine and vanilla fills the small five by eight space.

But this time, the scent is deeper. Like she found another version that’s a more mature version of the scent she loves.

Jax’s lips, that I expertly avoided looking at moments ago, are painted a deep red color that when she smiles, all I see is joy.

But I’m also wondering if it stains. “You’re staring. ”

“Mm hmm.” I tell her with a nod, refusing to lie. My heart is racing and if I don’t get it together I’m gonna need to be resuscitated. On second thought, if it gets Jax to put her mouth on mine again to revive me, maybe I should consider it.

“Friends don’t stare at friends like this,” her voice is merely a whisper heard over the sound of the elevator beeps as we pass each floor.

I swallow roughly. “Well, it’s good we’re barely friends, because I’m not thinking friendly thoughts right now.”

We’ve unconsciously drifted closer to each other and the air has thickened to levels of pure lust. Jax’s chest heaves with each breath and I think she’s about to say something or do something reckless, like test the limits of her lipstick, when the elevator comes to a stop and the doors open.

The lust-filled bubble we found ourselves in is popped by the now bustling sound from the lobby as it filters into the elevator car and we both break apart like we were doing something we shouldn’t have.

Jax walks out first and I follow behind her, blowing out a breath, to where Bryce and Kamryn are chatting.

He nods when he sees me and raises his brow at Jax who’s now talking with Kamryn.

I shrug and look around the lobby. Now that it’s not so early for Vegas standards, this hotel is the place to be.

People in various states of dress walk about and it’s a reminder that Vegas is a people watchers dream come true.

I’ve only been to Vegas a handful of times and I’ve never been able to afford such luxury like this hotel provides until now.

And when I have been able to afford a stay at a hotel like this, I never found a reason to travel out here.

“Alright party people! Are we ready?” Chance booms when he and Sophie come off the elevator.

They’re dressed in typical white and black like a bride and groom would.

And a handful of guests turn towards the loud voice and look around to see who he was shouting to.

What must we all look like? Baseball players in Vegas during the off-season?

Could we really get more cliche than this?

We follow the happy couple out to the limo they rented for the weekend.

The strip is now full of tourists, families, and bachelor and bachelorette parties as we weave through the clusters of groups to get to the car.

Can’t blame the amount of people out as it’s the perfect weather in November and I can’t decide which I like more: a sleepy city or a busy city.

“What’s up with you two?” Bryce asks. He doesn’t need to keep his voice down as other chatter and yelling at all volumes around us, drowns him out.

“Nothing,” I respond quickly.

“You can’t bullshit me. I saw you two when the elevator doors opened.”

I let out a breath and slow my steps when we get closer to the car. “I kissed her earlier.”

“Atta boy, Nate,” Bryce praises.

“Shut up.” I lightheartedly tell him and gently push him towards the open door to the backseat.

The sound of a champagne bottle being popped open greets me and I hurriedly shut the door. Bryce helps Kamryn hand out the glasses, before a toast is being made.

“So Kamryn, what’s it like being married to The Mason Brooks?” Bryce asks.

“Ugh. Don’t make her answer this.” Jax pipes up and downs her champagne in one swallow. With a smile, I hand her my untouched glass and she takes it from me with ease. Downing the amount in one go.

“What’s wrong Jax?” Sophie asks with a teasing tone to her voice.

“She’s just traumatized—” Kamryn continues telling us all the times she walked in on her and Mason while Jax plugs her ears and scrunches her eyes closed. The playful side of Jax is a sight to behold.

Kamryn throws a piece of ice at Jax and she jolts from the chill. “Are you done?”

“Are you done?” she tosses back.

They share a silent and loaded look with a conversation passing between them that the rest of us look on in amazement.

It really is a shame that I never saw this when we were younger so it’s like getting to know Jax again with a sibling dynamic.

An elbow gets jabbed into my rib cage and I look over at Bryce who makes a very suggestive face. I shake my head and brush him off.

The driver navigates the streets without issue and pulls up to a restaurant that’s at the other end of the strip from where we’re staying.

I nod to the driver who opened the door and wait off to the side.

Jax’s eyes meet mine as she slides out of the car and I keep it very respectful by keeping my eyes on hers.

“You can’t be buzzed already,” I observe when she gets closer to me. I try to keep my tone light as I feel we’re slowly wading back into friendship territory. But it’s hard when all you want to do is wrap your arm around their shoulder and pull them into you until no space can pass between.

“Not even close, Natey baby.” She says and is pulled away by Sophie.

I’m left dumbstruck on the sidewalk at the use of the nickname she shot back at me.

“He’s so gone,” Chance observes.

“We only knew it was only a matter of time,” Bryce notes.

I look to my left and to my right at my two friends. They’re wearing twin grins like this was their plan all along.

“What are those looks for?” I ask when I can’t take it anymore.

Bryce puts his arm around my shoulder and leads us forward. “Nate, I love you like a brother, but you are a grumpy, broody bastard. And have been since the day we met.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Thanks I guess.”

“You’re welcome,” Bryce accepts the fake gratitude, “but you’ve been a little less grumpy and less broody and we think it has to do with a certain 5 '2 someone.”

I look at Bryce like he’s insane, but don’t call him out because, and I’ll never admit it, he’s right.

“Don’t even deny it.” Chance tells me. “I saw you eyeing her in the limo.”

“The longing, the yearning,” Bryce calls with a hand on his chest but groans and folds in half when I elbow him in the stomach.

“What Romeo means—” Chance starts and we tip our head to the door being opened for us. “—is that if anyone can make you less grumpy and less broody, it’s Jax.”

“Gee,” I muse. “What gave that away?” I ask dryly. I’m as much of an open book than anything, except for my relationships. But these two know me too well.

“Nate, we sense your sarcasm and because we love you, we’re gonna let it slide.” Bryce says and moves past me with a pat on the shoulder when we get to our table.

“We really only want what’s best for you.” Chance gives my other shoulder a squeeze before heading to the table as well.

I shake my head and follow the sunshine twins to the table. When I get there, their twin grins are something out of a horror film when I see the only seat left is next to Jax.