Andy places four shot glasses onto the table, and my mouth dries at the sight of them.

Lukas is the first one to pick up a glass. He downs it in one gulp and grabs a lime wedge.

My hands shake as I pick up my glass and follow Maya. As soon as all four glasses are empty on the table, Andy pours another round.

God, why had Chiara and I never tried shots before? And why the hell do people do them, anyway? You can’t even taste anything.

Thankfully, after four shots, Maya says, “That’s my limit.”

And I follow her lead. “For me too.”

“You’re keeping me company, Lukas.” Andy refills his and Lukas’ glasses.

One advantage of the shots is the atmosphere gets much lighter. Conversation flows as the sky grows darker, fairy lights light up the porch, and beautiful music buzzes in the background.

Maya and Andy share secret parts of their love story and steal kisses in between. They just can’t stop touching each other.

I’m tipsy and blame everything on the tequila shots when, for the first time, I lean back and instead of falling against the pillow, I fall against my husband.

I suck in a breath as Lukas goes rock solid beside me for a second, as if he’s waiting for me to apologize and readjust myself on the couch. But when I do neither of those things but recline further back into him, his hand slowly drifts up and finally settles on my hip.

Butterflies go crazy in my stomach when his hand stays there for several beats. I struggle to focus on Maya, and she tells us about their first date as an engaged couple. My heartbeat is wild, but the moment Lukas’ hand squeezes mine, I see stars.

He pulls me closer to him, and I’m almost sitting on his lap like Maya is on Andy’s.

When he shifts, I feel his left arm and realize what I’m doing. Crap! He’s still healing. I try to move away, but Lukas’ grip on me tightens.

I look over my shoulder in surprise.

Why isn’t he letting me go?

Instead he leans forward and runs his nose along my cheek. Goosebumps appear on my skin, and I shiver at the contact.

When I look back at him, there’s a reflection of the dancing flames of the fire pit in his eyes. Lukas Spencer has never looked hotter and more mine than he does right now, including all the times he has visited my imagination.

It’s late when we say goodbye to Maya and Andy. I shoot a quick text to Mr. Big, telling him he can take the night off after our hosts insist we let their driver drop us back home.