“Flo?” I whispered thickly, leaning forward in my seat until my face was close to the center console, as though that might somehow bring me closer to my best friend.
“GWENNIE! Oh my god, what happened? Where were you? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Graham scoffed under his breath.
“You promise?” Flo sounded no less calm. “I was so worried, you have no idea. When you didn’t show up… I should’ve realized right away! But you know how I get when there’s a live band, I was caught up in the set. They were doing that cover of Howlin’ For You by The Black Keys, with the electric guitar solo…”
I nodded, fully understanding. “That’s a killer cover.”
Graham scoffed again.
“Totally.” Flo sniffled audibly. “Anyway, thank goodness Graham realized something was wrong and went to look for you, or it might’ve been too late...”
My eyes flickered over to the man in the driver’s seat. His eyes were fixed on the road, but I knew he was listening. That muscle in his jaw was ticking again.
“God, I don’t even want to think what might’ve happened to you!” Flo’s voice cracked. “I’m a terrible friend.”
“You aren’t.”
“Where are you now?”
“In Graham’s Bronco.”
“Tell him to drive you over here!”
“Sounds good,” I agreed instantly, thrilled by the idea.
“Absolutely not,” Graham said at the same time, his tone bossy as ever.
I scowled at him. “Would you be reasonable?”
“Not in my wheelhouse, babe.”
The endearment hit me like a punch to the stomach. I reeled back in my seat, too startled to speak. Graham just smirked at me, his lips half-tugged up at one side in a way that made my mouth go completely dry.
“Hello?” Flo said through the speakers. “Anyone there?”
Tearing my gaze away, I refocused on the call. “I’ve asked Graham — repeatedly — to take me home, but he’s being completely uncompromising—”
“You wouldn’t know compromise if it bit you in the ass,” Graham muttered lowly.
“What was that?” Flo asked.
“Nothing,” I snapped. “Apparently, I’m not permitted to go home. Or to your place.”
“What?” Flo cried, outraged on my behalf. “Why?”
“He’s insisting I spend the night athisplace.”
Silence blasted over the line before Flo sucked in a sharp, audible breath. When she spoke again, her tone had heartened significantly. “Good. That’s good.”
Good?
Good?!
“Flo!”