Page 39 of Rush

Twenty minutes later, we’re being escorted out at the front of Yumi, a brand-new, high-quality sushi and craft cocktail restaurant. We chat away as we walk inside and are immediately seated at a reserved table. We each order delicious cocktails and several platters of sushi to share. The night is amazing and my stomach is almost borderline in pain when we finish. Throughout dinner, I notice that Isla engages, but she still seems lost in thought.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask her discreetly, while Riley shows Emma a video on her phone.

Isla’s eyes meet mine and I see a flash of apology in hers. “It might be nothing, but remember how last year you had a limo service for your 21st?”

I nod and Isla licks her lip nervously. “Yeah, I think Carter won it or something. Like a random drawing from a local business.”

Isla shakes her head. “It wasn’t him. It was me. I gave it to him because I didn’t need it and he mentioned your birthday.”

I snort and grab her hand. “Was this another way you were trying to help him?”

She shakes her head. “No. This literally fell in my lap. But I do remember the business donor.”

“Who?” I ask, my stomach coiling tight because part of me already knows the answer anyways. It makes sense with her story, and from what I know to be true about the man he is.

“CB Auto,” Isla answers, her voice low in a whisper, yet it sounds like she’s shouting it.

“You don’t think…”

Isla nods her head, her hand sliding over mine. “I think Jameson Kane has been looking out for you longer than you know.”

A laugh bubbles in my chest. I should feel worried or concerned, but I feel none of those things. I feel seen. I feel cherished. And most of all, I feel love as it glides through my veins like skating on the smoothest sheet of ice. Reaching for my phone, I send a text to Johnny, praying he doesn’t have plans tonight. Within five minutes, I get a reply, and I can’t wipe the smile off my face.

Our server comes for our last glasses and Riley gets up to leave. “Wait, what about the tab?”

All the girls look at each other and realization hits me. “He took care of the tab!”

Riley sighs and wraps her arm around my shoulder. “Not all of it. Reign also pitched in as a birthday gift to you.”

Tears start to well in my eyes and my friends rush to catch them before they ruin my mascara. “Don’t cry, Sammy.”

“I can’t believe he did all of this.”

This time Emma snorts and shakes her head at me. “Sam, it's pretty obvious that Kane loves you. The man has been in love with you since we were sixteen.”

I don’t even correct her that I’ve loved him since I was twelve and that thought alone gives me pause. I love him. Truthfully, I never stopped loving him. I let my friends usher me out of the restaurant and back into our waiting ride. When we get to the club, there's a line around the block; yet, we are able to walk right in.

My brow rises and I glance knowingly at Riley. “Reign’s influence?”

Isla smiles shyly. “No, actually that's my gift for the night.”

“You.” I turn to her, surprise etched on my face while I hug her. “Secret spy-shit?”

Isla shakes her head, rolling her silvery eyes. “It helps to know people. I did their IT stuff for them before they opened.”

“Spy-stuff,” Emma jokes and we both hug Isla who laughs along with us.

We move through the crowd to a closed-off section and it dawns on me we’re in VIP. My eyes widen, taking in the swanky black velvet and fluorescent azure lighting. We have the perfect view of the dance floor and easy access to move between the two. A bottle of champagne is dropped off at our table and I pop the cork before pouring some for everyone. Riley makes a birthday toast and we all drink. Only then do I notice as the men start to trickle in. Reign, Hawke, Leif and Carter look GQ worthy as they slide into our private area, drawing the gazes of every female in the room as they pass.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, already feeling the effects of the champagne.

Leif grins at me and drops a kiss on the top of my head. “Had to celebrate one of our favorite firecrackers. Happy Birthday, Sammy.”

I hug each of them and I get the same birthday wishes. After a while, it becomes apparent the guys are here to be the muscle, watching us protectively as we go from the dance floor to the booth for a drink and back again. My body is feeling tingly and my lips are in a permanent smile when I come back to the booth and feel shivers break out across my skin. Glancing around, I look through the crowd for any sign of him. Jameson is here, I know it, my body has never forgotten how it feels being near him.

Hands land on my waist and I instantly melt in his hold. Turning me to face him, I throw my arms around Jameson’s neck and hug him close.

“You asked my brother to babysit so I could be here?” he asks, but I hear the hint of emotion in his voice. My hand runs through the hair at the nape of his neck and I shake my head.