Page 124 of Dream Chaser

Two. I cupped Nova’s cheek, sweeping my thumb over her flushed skin. “I’m going to kiss you,” I rasped. “Stop me if you—”

Her lips were on mine first. Warm. Eager. I opened my mouth, teasing the tip of her tongue with mine. She hummed, clinging to my neck as gold and silver confetti rained down on us.

The new year had begun.

“Happy New Year, Nova,” I whispered.

“Happy New Year.” She outlined my lips with her index finger. “This is a dream, right? I dreamed you up.”

Fuck. She was way tipsier than I realized. I hugged her tighter, then pressed a kiss to her forehead. “No. Very much real.”

The music slammed back at full force. Around us, people jumped and hugged, restarting the party.

Scarlett clinked her glass against Nova’s. “Happy New Year to my best friend.”

“Happy New Year! Scar!” Nova giggled into her drink. “I think I accidentally summoned my boss all the way from Spain. I’m gonna be so fired.”

I shook my head—the gesture meant for Scarlett, who doubled over, laughing so hard her blonde curls bounced.

“What’s your boss’s name?” Scarlett asked.

“A—” I started saying, but Nova clamped her palm over my mouth.

“Alejandro Guerrero,” she said. “Did you know guerrero means warrior in Spanish? I looked it up. He likes being called Ale, though.”

I liked being called Ale by her, but she was probably too tipsy for specifics.

“I think I’m done partying,” Nova said, slipping her arms around my waist as she leaned her head on my shoulder, sighing. “My feet are killing me. I have blisters. And everything spins. But Scar, if you want to, we’ll stay longer, I just need to sit.”

Scarlett’s expression sobered. “No, I’m okay with leaving. Where do you live, Alejandro? I need your address because if she’s going home with you”—she poked my chest with her finger—“I need to know she’s safe. Ah, and your license plate number too.”

Keeping Nova safe was my priority. That was one thing I’d always do.

“Do you also need my Spanish address?” I half-joked.

“Nah,” Scarlett said. “Unless you plan to whisk her away to Spain.”

“I’d so let him,” Nova drawled.

I rubbed circles over her back. “I’ll hold you to that. Scarlett, give me your phone.”

As soon as she handed it to me, I entered my number.

“Text me,” I said.

Once she did, I sent her my address. “I’ll have to give you the license plate number when we get outside. Do you need a ride?”

“If that’s not a bother.”

I waited for her to grab her coat and Nova’s, then we left the club. Gently, I helped Nova into my car and fastened her seatbelt while Scarlett snapped a picture of my license plate before climbing into the back seat.

By the time my car joined the stream of vehicles on the road, Nova was sound asleep.

“She’s exhausted,” Scarlett said. “And I don’t mean the party. All this divorce crap is affecting her way more than she wants to admit. So, don’t let her down. She’s the closest to a sister I’ve ever had. Now that we reconnected, I have her back and I’m not losing her again.”

“You just reconnected now?”

She covered her yawn with her palm. “Yeah. Her soon-to-be-ex made sure she didn’t have anyone who wasn’t from his circle after she got married. He completely isolated her. Looking back, I should’ve insisted, so part of it is my fault. He just didn’t like that Nova was herself with me, not the meek, obedient creature he tried to turn her into.”