Page 253 of Silver Sweet
“Hi, hi.” She winces a little. “I know this might be awkward. Wait, wait. You don’t even remember who I am, do you?Oh God.Okay, let’s start over.” She takes an encouraging breath. “I’m Roxy—Roxanne. Ruiz. Well, Kotova, but Roxanne Kotova Ruiz.” She smacks her lips. “This went so much better in my head ten minutes ago.”
“Let’s hope so,” Phoenix says.
I can’t stifle a laugh.MaybeI could’ve, but I didn’t.
We’re terrible. Guilt pricks me at the same time Roxanne’s expression goes pained as if we ran her over with Phoenix’s Suzuki.
“Sorry,” he says first, but it doesn’t soundthatgenuine.
“No, it’s totally fine. I knew you were a little, um…well, you weren’t exactlyfriendlytoward my best friend. Her name is Beth Anne. You probably don’t even remember asking for her number, but that happened…back in January. So…” She exhales a tight breath. “I’m sweating. Are you sweating?” She wafts her hand at her chest, her light golden-brown skin glistening.
“I’m mostly confused,” I admit. “Like why would you ask for a girl’s number, dude?” I question Phoenix.
“For my brother.” His inquisitive eyes shift back to Roxanne. “Beth Anne is a ballerina, right?” he asks.
“Yes. Yes. She’s around here somewhere, but you should probably steer clear. She’s not that fond of you, which understandable, but…fair warning.”
“Yeah, why are you giving us those?” Phoenix asks, just as confused. “Your cousin is RJ? He doesn’t exactly like me either.”
“Oh, I mean, RJ is actually the reason I am doing this and suffering through an awkward moment. He knows I’m more likely to run into Tom. And he said if I were ever to see you?—”
“Me?” Phoenix points at his chest because Roxanne is not looking at me.
“Yes, you. Phoenix? Wolfgang? Tom’s drummer. We’ve seen The Carraways on social media. RJ already ordered the album on vinyl.”
“Really?” Phoenix frowns.
I’m also slack-jawed in shock.
“Yeah.” She perks up a little. “He told me about The Trench.”
I claw my hand at my burning face remembering my drunken fucked-up night. The universe is smiting me for laughing at her. “He did?”
“Great,” Phoenix says tightly.
“It sounded eventful—anyway, he hasn’t wanted to slip into either of your DMs and cause drama. But I’m supposed to tell Phoenix,clean slate, no hard feelings, hope you feel the same, and he can tell you and Tom are…vibing. Okay, that’s not exactly what he said.” She lets out a dying laugh. “And I am butchering this, so I’m going to stop while I’m ahead, but, um, you two…” She motions between me and Phoenix, then gives us a thumbs up. “We like it. I mean not like creepily. Just, we approve of the…partnership?”
My face is on fire. “I’m not sure who this is more embarrassing for, you or me.”
“Oh great, you feel it too.” She gulps a loooong sip of champagne.
Phoenix’s lips tic upward. “Tell RJ it’s forgotten.”
She swallows and releases a breath of relief. “Will do. Perfect. Yeah. I’m glad I did this.” She’s about to spin on her heels.
“Wait,” I call out.
She stops.
“You should go talk to my brother.” I smirk, then scan the crowd to see if I can find him.
“I’ve already spoken to Beckett tonight.”
“I meant Charlie.” I grin wider. Because I remember—Charlie had a thing for her. Okay, he didn’t say it outright, but I could tell there wasinterest.
Roxanne’s face falls. “Oh…that’s okay.”
“He would love it,” I say, utter joy burrowing in my chest. Sure, Beckett doesn’t want Charlie fraternizing with his ballet friends, but he can’t object over afriendship.Charlie needs friends. He has zero.
