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He grabbed Holly around the waist, swooping her close to him. She let out a tiny shriek as he swung her around in a circle, and she clung to him awkwardly.
"Guess he's excited," Zoe teased as he set her down.
"Ya think?" Holly adjusted her shirt, which had hiked up to her bra during his jubilant display. Her face was hot with embarrassment, but she wasn't going to give him shit for not being professional tonight. She didn't want to kill his high. And besides, he didn't have anyone here supporting him like the rest of the guys.
Anyone except for her.
"It's a very good night." He wrapped his arms around the entire group. "The boys will be out soon. Ryder and Fal were still talking to reporters when I left, and so was West. Brandon will probably be out first," he told Hannah. "Are you guys going out anywhere to celebrate?"
The women shook their heads. "Gotta get home and relieve the babysitter," Nic told him. "Parenting duties."
"Yeah, it's a stay home night for us too," Zoe agreed.
"Fuck that. I want to go out and have a drink and some food. I'm starving. His eyes twinkled. "Drink and sustenance are high on my list tonight."
"Do you want to ride home with me and West?" Penn asked Holly. "He carpooled here with Ryder, so I'm driving back. I can drop you off at Eli's."
"You're not coming out with me, Wilkes?" A disappointed look crossed Eli’s handsome face. "Shaw's spending time with his brother, Cade, who's visiting from California, so he can't go out with me."
"And you wantmeto fill in for him?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
He laughed. "You could try."
Eli must have sensed her hesitation because he reached out and touched her elbow. "Just one drink and a good dinner. I promise," he said, his voice low in her ear. "Can you do that?"
She felt the other women staring at her before she caught Penn's eye. "Okay, sure. I can have dinner."
"If you give me your keys, Hol, I'll stop by Eli's and feed Miss on the way home. That way you don't have to worry about rushing back."
"Perfect." Holly pulled the key from her set and handed it to Penn. "The raw stuff. It's in the fridge. Thanks."
"Sure."
"Just leave her key with the doorman, Penn," Eli directed. "Ready to bail, Wilkes?”
"Yeah, I guess. Bye, guys! Penn, I'll text you later."
She waved at the group and followed Eli down the long hallway. "Where are we going? Somewhere loud and obnoxious? Or somewhere quiet and peaceful?"
"Not sure," he said as they entered the garage. "What do you want to do?"
"I'm not exactly dressed to go anywhere nice. Especially next to you in that suit."
"You're with me. You'll get in anywhere we go, or I won't go."
They approached his sports car. "You look like you want to celebrate.”
"I do. And I want to celebrate with you," he said meaningfully, holding the passenger door open for her.
Holly gave him a wary look. "Why are you opening my door? This isn't a date. Stop acting weird."
Eli smirked. "Are you going to question my motives for the rest of the night? I promised that I'd be totally professional for the next thirty days, and I meant it. I was just trying to be nice." He gestured toward the car door. "Remember nice, Wilkes?"
"Oh. Okay, then."
He smiled at her, turning her insides to mush. Damn, he looked so freaking good in that suit, and he smelled amazing, too.
Part of her wanted to bolt away to safety. She didn't trust herself tonight, and that was bad.
