Chapter 5 Liquid Courage

Blake: POV

I downed my second whiskey neat, letting the burn chase away the knots in my shoulders. The dim lighting in Moonlight Lounge was doing me favors—hiding how I kept shifting on this goddamn barstool every time my back seized up.

"So then she asks if the truffles were harvested during a full moon," Daniel was saying, gesturing wildly as he told us about his latest restaurant nightmare, "because apparently that affects their 'energy signature.'"

Alex choked on his beer. "Please tell me you didn't actually answer that."

"I told her they were harvested during a lunar eclipse by virgins wearing silk gloves," Daniel said without missing a beat. "And she just nodded like that was totally normal."

I couldn't help laughing. Three weeks back in San Francisco, and this was the first time I'd let these idiots drag me out. Between physical therapy, family drama, and trying to get Bloom Haven back on track after my little disappearing act, I'd been living like a hermit.

"Blake, you gonna eat any of that?" Alex nodded at the untouched appetizers. "Or are we sticking to the all-liquid diet tonight?"

I shrugged and took another sip. Truth was, my back was killing me after today's PT session, but I'd rather drink through it than admit I was still fucked up.

"Alright, give us the family update," Daniel leaned in. "Has Nathan forgiven you for your mysterious vanishing act yet?"

"Nathan's milking the whole 'disappointed big brother' thing," I said. "Though he did swing by yesterday with some 'business ideas.'"

What I didn't mention was how those ideas all seemed to involve working with Radiance Inc. My brother wasn't exactly subtle about trying to shove me back into Olivia's world.

"Speaking of blast from the past," Alex was looking across the bar, "isn't that Olivia Parker in the corner? She looks like hell."

My head whipped around so fast something popped in my neck. There she was—Olivia's usually perfect posture completely shot, hunched over a table covered in empty martini glasses. Even from here, I could tell she was wasted.

"Damn," I muttered. In all the years I'd known her, I'd never seen Olivia Parker drunk. Not even a little tipsy.

"Your high school sweetheart's having a rough night," Daniel observed. "Maybe you should—"

"Don't," I cut him off when he started to stand. "She's clearly going through something. Last thing she needs is you bothering her."

"Aw, look at that," Alex grinned. "Still playing knight in shining armor for the girl who friend-zoned you."

I was about to tell him to fuck off when I saw Victoria talking to Olivia, pointing in our direction. My stomach dropped when Olivia turned and looked straight at me. Even drunk off her ass, those eyes still did things to me.

"Oh shit," Daniel whispered. "Here she comes."

Olivia was weaving between tables, trying way too hard to walk straight. Up close, she was still gorgeous—makeup smudged, hair falling out of its perfect style, but gorgeous.

She stopped right in front of me, swaying a little. That's when it hit me—she had no clue who I was.

"You've been staring," she said, words slurring together. "So either you're a creep or you like what you see."

I just stared at her. This wasn't the Olivia I knew—the one who had everything under control, who never had a hair out of place.

"Look, handsome," she leaned closer, and I could smell the gin, "I've had the shittiest day. Want to help me forget it? I can pay whatever you charge."

It took a second for that to sink in. She thought I was a hooker. A fucking escort. I didn't know whether to laugh or be pissed.

I grabbed her wrist, maybe a little too tight. "Olivia. Do you know who I am?"

She blinked slowly, confused. "You're hot," she said, then stage-whispered, "and you have really nice hands."

Alex and Daniel were losing their shit laughing.

"It's Blake," I said. "Blake Westwood."

Something flickered in her eyes, but instead of sobering up, she got this look I'd never seen before—hungry and reckless.

"Blake Westwood," she repeated, smiling slow and lazy. "IMPOSSIBLE! He is abroad now."

Shit! Then she just... fell into me. I caught her automatically, hands going to her waist to steady her.

"Easy there," I said. "Think you've had enough."

"Haven't had enough of you," she mumbled into my neck, her breath hot against my skin. "Never had enough."

"Dude," Daniel whistled low, "your innocent childhood crush just turned into every guy's fantasy."

"Shut it," I snapped, but Olivia was already playing with my shirt buttons, and people were starting to stare.

"Don't want to go home," she pouted, looking up at me through those ridiculous lashes. "Take me upstairs. I know Victoria has rooms."

Her hand slid down to my leg and I nearly jumped out of my skin. This was getting out of hand fast.

Fuck it. I stood up—ignoring how my back screamed in protest—and scooped her up. She was lighter than I expected, fitting against me like she belonged there.

"What're you doing?" she asked, blinking up at me.

"Getting you somewhere to sleep it off."

"Mmm, strong," she giggled, arms going around my neck. "I like strong."

Victoria caught my eye as I headed for the stairs, grinning like this was the best entertainment she'd had all week.

"Take good care of her, escort" she called out. "Premium service!"

Great. Now everyone thought I was her boy toy for the night.

Getting upstairs with a squirming Olivia and my fucked-up back was interesting, but I made it to the little guest room Victoria kept for situations like this. I got the door open and laid her down on the bed.

"There," I said, stepping back. "Sleep it off."

But instead of lying down, she sat up and grabbed my wrist, pulling me toward her. Between my balance being shit and her being stronger than she looked, I went down, catching myself with my hands on either side of her.

We were inches apart. Her eyes were dark, lips parted, and the air felt electric. Every smart part of my brain was yelling at me to back off, that she was drunk and this was wrong.

But then she touched my face, fingers soft against my jaw, and suddenly I was seventeen again, crazy about the girl next door who never looked at me the way she was looking at me now.

She whispered, and I knew she really saw me this time. "Stay."

I brushed her hair back, my resolve cracking. "You sure about this? Do you know who I am?" My voice came out rougher than I meant it to.