The cab ride was supposed to be uneventful.
But nothing about tonight had gone according to plan.
Eliana sat in the middle seat of the Luca's car, squeezed between Elias—who was loudly humming to whatever remix was still stuck in his head—and Nicky, who hadn't said a word since they climbed in.
She could still feel her heartbeat in places that had no business remembering him.
The leather seats were cold against her thighs. Her dress had ridden up again. Her lipstick was mostly gone, wiped off with shaking fingers in the bathroom mirror.
She was trying to keep her breathing even.
Trying not to look at him.
And then—
Nicky's fingers brushed her knee.
Light. Barely there. Maybe even an accident.
But then they stayed.
Warm. Intentional.
He didn't look at her. Just stared out the window, hand relaxed on her skin like it belonged there.
She froze. Stared ahead. Elias let out a drunken laugh beside her and leaned forward, shouting something about tacos.
