Page 89 of Reckless
“That’s because winning matters.”
Kelly’s eyes were still on me.
“That’s the plan to escape another post-dinner gathering,” Hope said.
Charlie spread both arms toward the night.“Freedom rings.”
“A few hours out is good medicine for all of us,” Miley said, appearing in the doorway with Jeff behind her.
That was all it took.
Within five minutes, the shape of the evening had changed.The family had done what it always did when someone suggested motion and rearranged itself around the most entertaining option.
My parents were staying in.Parvis had retreated with tea and a book.Roxanne had already launched into some longer conversation with the older siblings and their wives over guest room linens and flowers and whatever else wealthy people used to avoid sleep.
But the rest of us?We headed to town like we were back in Manhattan after work like we all used to go.
When a car stopped, I realized Kelly had pointed out this bar.It was one of the bars on the marina side where money and locals and tourists all collided badly and expensively.
I should have stayed back.
Instead I beside Kelly in the backseat of Charlie’s SUV with her thigh one narrow strip of air away from mine and her words played in my mind.
Inside, it was dim enough to flatter everyone and loud to excuse all kinds of bad decisions.
The group split naturally once we got in.Charlie made straight for the bar like he had a moral duty to encourage bartenders.Hope followed him with the expression of a woman who loved someone enough to permit public chaos.Jeff and Miley disappeared toward a booth.Avril drifted toward the far side where a live acoustic set was happening near the windows.
Kelly stopped near the high-top tables, looking around as if deciding whether she wanted to be social or simply vertical in a room with alcohol.
I touched the small of her back.
I leaned closer enough that the music covered the answer from everyone but her.“Vodka?”
Her eyes flashed but she nodded.“Good.One problem solved.”
I went to the bar smiling.
By the time I came back with two drinks, she’d been joined by Britney and Michael, who looked like the world’s least accidental aristocracy even in a crowded marina bar.Britney saw the glasses, saw me handing one to Kelly, and said nothing.
Kelly took the drink and brushed her fingers against mine on purpose this time.
The look she gave me over the rim of the glass after that was a problem I absolutely did not need in public.
Michael, because he saw too much and used too little of it unless necessary, looked away first but Britney did not.
Kelly met her gaze.Whatever passed between them lasted less than a second and said enough that Britney took her drink from Michael, nodded once, and turned to him instead of stepping between us.
The next half hour moved quickly.Music.People shifting.Charlie already making friends and enemies in equal ratio.Hope dancing once with him and once without him and both somehow looking like affection.Avril in conversation with a local couple about something charitable because of course she was.Jeff and Miley tucked into each other’s orbit even in public.Michael and Britney speaking close to be private while still somehow watching everyone.
Kelly in a bar was a specific kind of trouble.
She was more and her hands moved when she talked.Her smile flashed quicker.Her attention sharpened and darted and landed.She belonged in rooms like this in a way money could never quite fake.
I saw men looking at her.
Then one walked in the door.His gaze landed right on Kelly.
He was the beach going local clearly and he moved toward our table with the easy confidence of someone who already knew Kelly at least enough not to feel awkward saying hello.
