Page 112 of The Devil of Downtown

“You’re still alive, then. Even in my tequila-induced haze, Sloane soundedprettymad.”

“It’s fine. Sort of sorted. Thanks for dealing with that, you definitely softened the blow.”

“That’s what friends are for.” She studies me for a moment, then tucks a stray hair behind my ear. “You look half-dead.”

“Long night,” I say, trying—and failing—to smother the stupid grin tugging at my mouth.

Jennie narrows her eyes. “Ugh. So jealous. Come for a drink and tell me everything.”

“Okay, you’re on. How’s Brody?”

“Mmm.” She frowns. “Come on, let’s go. I’ll tell you all about it.”

She links her arm through mine and pulls me toward the exit, talking a mile a minute, and just like that, my tiredness begins to lift.

The apartment is dark and quiet when I slip inside, the only sound the soft buzz of the fridge and the faint whistle of the radiator. Sloane and Elsie must have gone to bed; Elsie’s door is cracked enough for me to see the glow of her night-light spilling across the hallway floor.

I drop my dance bag by the couch and head straight for the kitchen, suddenly aware of how empty my stomach is. Dinner was a minute between choreography drills and costume notes, and now I’m scavenging like some kind of nocturnal creature. I end up making a grilled cheese, burning the first side because my eyes keep drifting, unfocused, replaying last night at Dane’s house. When I close my eyes, I can still feel his hands tracing every inch of my skin, his body pressed against mine. How he breathed my name like it meant something.

By the time I crawl into bed, sleep should hit me like a brick. I only had a handful of hours last night—if that. But instead I’m wide awake, staring at the ceiling, skin warm and prickling with memories I can’t shove aside.

I roll onto my side, exhaling through parted lips. The sheets feel too cool without him. My body feels too awake. My brain stuck on replay.

I grab my phone on instinct, thumb hovering over his name, trying to decide if texting him at nearly midnight is insane—

The screen lights up.

dane

You still awake?

My pulse jumps.

me

Yeah. Can't sleep.

The response comes almost instantly.

dane

I’m on my way home from dinner. Can I swing by?

I sit up so fast the mattress squeaks.

me

But Sloane and Elsie are asleep.

dane

I’ll be quiet.

There’s a pause as the dots flicker.

Then another message:

dane