Leaving The Way: Book Two (The Way Trilogy), стр. 21

of her eye before it ruins her perfect plum eye make-up. “Chica, he’s gonna flip because you look hot! Five bucks says his jaw drops the minute he sees you,” she says, as she sits up to face me.

I can’t help the smile that splits my face at that thought, and I decide this party might not be so bad after all.

***

ANNA

After we’d finished admiring Brea’s masterpiece that is me, we had stopped by Daniel’s room to pick up Camila before heading out the back door of The Castle. The party was being thrown on the back side of the property, a good ten-minute walk through a wide open hilly field, and on the way I had fallen no less than three times in these dang heels. Each time one of the girls would catch me and each time Brea would say beauty is pain. Whatever that means.

Before we even reached the party, I could hear loud thumping music, smell the scent of a bonfire, and hear people laughing and talking. When we crested the last hill and the party finally came into view, it was a lot to process. There was a huge elevated stage directly in front of me with a man standing with his back to me at a table surrounded by speakers. To the right stood at least thirty tables where dozens of people talked and ate, and to the left were tables lined with food and drinks of all kinds. In the center, on the other side of the stage couples danced way to close together. Vater Henry would have a meltdown right now.

With a squeal, Brea linked her arms with me and Camila and began pulling us down the hill toward a group of men standing in a circle holding drinks. “Come on, I see our boys.”

As we approach, Brea drops my arm, bouncing over to Mateo and throwing her arms around his neck. Camila makes her way to Daniel a little more calmly, but the two exchange a pretty heated kiss. When I spot Luke on the far side of the circle, I knew I owed Brea five bucks. His eyes are wide, hands hanging loosely at his side, and his jaw is most definitely dropped.

I smile as I make my way toward him, managing to not trip. Passing Brea on my way, I hear her whisper behind her hand, “You owe me five bucks, chica.”

When I reach Luke’s side, he opens and closes his mouth several times before finally stuttering out a few words. “You…look amazing.” Leaning in, he gives me a quick kiss on the cheek before stepping back and reaching over to the table to grab a drink for me.

Taking the drink, I look at it before looking back to him. “Brea did it. Dressed me, I mean. I’ve tripped three times already in these heels, and I’m probably gonna end up having a boob slip before the night is over with the cut of this sweater. But I like the outfit, and appreciate that she cared enough to try to make me feel included.” When I finish explaining, I look back at my drink, and then back to him without taking a sip.

Luke looks down at my drink, then back at me, and then repeats the process again before speaking. “Well she did an amazing job, but you don’t need to do anything to try to fit in. If it makes you uncomfortable, it’s okay to say no. Brea means well, but sometimes she can be a little much.” And then after seeming to think about it, he adds, “In a good way though. You look amazing no matter what you’re wearing. Although, I must admit, I’m definitely a fan of the red lipstick.”

And with that, my ovaries are purring. Purring like a kitten, I tell ya.

I can’t help the grin or the blush that’s no doubt spreading across my cheeks as I tell him, “Thank you.”

I look to my drink once again, and then back to Luke before attempting to speak but he cuts me off.

“Let me get you something else to drink. They have nonalcoholic choices at the other end of the tables. Come on.” Reaching for my hand, he turns to go but I pull him back.

I turn over my shoulder and see Camila and Brea both have glass jars filled with the same liquid as mine. They’re surrounded by a circle of men, everyone drinking and having a good time. Turning back to Luke, I look to my drink once more. I’ve never had alcohol before. They don’t have it inside the compound, so the only time I’ve ever really had the opportunity was at the hotel in Bonham. Sure, Mateo and the others have had alcohol at dinner every night since we arrived, but that was different. I didn’t feel inclined to join, but this is a party. Maybe I should take the opportunity to live a little, after all, I’m always preaching you never know if today will be your last day.

“No, it’s okay. This one is fine,” I say, lifting the drink to my lips, but before I can take the first sip, Luke stops me with his hand on my wrist.

“Little Minx, I feel like this is peer pressure. Are you only drinking it because everyone else is?” I shake my head, but he goes on. “You’re old enough to do whatever you want, but only if you want. I’ll get us both something else to drink, and we can be sober together. I really don’t mind. I just want you to be comfortable.”

Down girl!

In these heels, I barely have to stretch to brush my lips across his. When I step back, he turns to go grab us something different to drink, but I stop him. “I want to try it first. If I don’t like it, then I’ll get something else, but you don’t need to stay sober for me, although I’m pretty sure my heart exploded over the offer,”