Page 85 of This Changes Everything

“No, we’re off on Monday. One more night celebrating Zoë. You?”

“Well, I was supposed to take off after I play in the morning, but . . .”

“But?” My heart leapt into my throat.

Rory grinned but kept his attention forward as we stepped into the Vegas late-night heatwave. “But do you think I could tag along tomorrow? Would the birthday girl mind?”

“I think she would be okay with it.”

Rory led the way to the rideshare line and flagged down the black Tesla that he called for me. After storing my golf bag in the car’s trunk, he opened the door and leaned in to talk to the driver. “I’m Rory. You’re going to the Cosmopolitan, right?” Rory confirmed with the driver then opened his body to me, giving me space to get into the car. “Can you please text me when you get into your room? Just so I know you’re safe?” he asked me.

“Okay.” My voice was thicker than usual as I stepped toward the open door. Rory nodded. He kept one hand on the door and placed the other on the roof, trapping me in the small space between the Uber and his arms. We weren’t touching, but I could still feel him, and I wondered if he could feel me.

If this were a date, this would be where he kissed me good night. Or pressed his hand into my stomach, pushing us both into the car, and came back to my hotel room. But this wasn’t a date. I saw his eyes flick down to my mouth, and I couldn’t help but bite my bottom lip. He smiled. We were both thinking the same thing.

“Good night, Ellie.” He let out a slow breath when his eyes lifted back to mine. His hands gripped the car door tightly before he released his hold and stepped back, giving us distance.

“Good night, Rory.” I smirked, and he let out a silent, awkward yet self-aware laugh.

“I’ll see ya.” Rory stepped back onto the curb.

I gave him a small wave and ducked into the Uber. Once I closed the door, I finally let myself breathe again.

When I got back to the room, Hannah, Kara, Zoë, and Maddy were all up, waiting to hear every salacious detail of my night. I entered the suite carrying my new golf bag with my new high-end clubs, and wearing Rory’s black hat, and the silence was palpable.

“Nothing happened.”

“Bull. Shit,” Maddy stated emphatically.

After that, no one believed me, and everyone lost their minds.

The next morning, as we were getting ready for the pool party, I flipped the television to the sports channel. My heart expanded so violently I could feel it in my neck when I saw Rory teeing off on the ninth hole. He was wearing my bright-blue Dodgers hat.

Chapter 33

LAS VEGAS 29 years old

THE POOL PARTY AT THE COSMOPOLITAN WAS SO LOUD AND SO surprisingly crowded, it was a miracle we were all able to sit together. Well, not a miracle, since we paid out our asses to make sure it happened, and Zoë had to pull some strings. We opted out of hanging out in a cabana or sectioned-off booths. We wanted to be in the party, not watching it from the sidelines.

It was scorching hot, and we each had a drink in our hands. Zoë and Kara were dancing in the middle of the pool, while Maddy, Hannah, and I were lying out in lounge chairs that had us half in and half out of the pool.

The text from Rory came around three in the afternoon.

RORY: Hey, are you here?

I squinted at my phone, confused. Huh? My eyes lifted, and I did a quick, stealthy scan of the pool.

“What’s up?” Maddy asked.

“It’s Rory. He’s asking if I’m here.”

“If you’re where?” Maddy shouted over the music. She leaned toward me from her chair, looking over at my phone.

Hannah raised her sunglasses to her forehead and turned her head to see what was going on.

ELLIE: Hey. You must be tired. We’re still at the pool.

RORY: Cosmopolitan? Where are you?