He gives me a wary gaze, still holding on to his laughter, as he’s smothered by Kate’s drunken mouth. I return my eyes to Ava. That ridiculous dress is practically around her waist, revealing a slither of the lace beneath it for all to see. “Up,” I hiss. “Now.”

“Oh, lighten up, you bore,” she sighs, attempting to get herself off the floor. For fuck’s sake. I find it in myself to help her, and once she’s vertical, the dress sucker-punches me in the gut. Or, what there is of it, which isn’t fucking much.

“Are you mad at me?” she asks, clinging to my suit to hold herself up.

Oh, she has no idea. “Crazy mad, Ava.” I take her elbow and lead her out of the bar, where we find Sam negotiating Kate into his car. Ava bursts into fits of giggles again.

“Samuel, tonight is your lucky night,” Kate declares.

I shake my head. We all know the only lucky thing that’ll happen to Sam tonight will be avoiding the inevitable spewing session.

He nods his goodbye to me and gives Ava a kiss on her cheek before I pull my irresponsible girlfriend away, my mission to get her out of public view in that fucking dress my main objective. She’s staggering. It makes me even madder. How was she planning on getting home?

I deposit her in my car and reach for the belt. “I can put a seatbelt on,” she snipes, pushing my hands away. I glare at her and, wisely, she quits fighting me, shutting the hell up. It’s evidence of the fury she’s facing if, even drunk and feistier, she’s backing down. I secure her, leaning across to fasten the belt. “You smell delicious,” she whispers.

I turn my eyes to her. I can’t even bring myself to relish in her appreciation. I slam the door and get behind the wheel, taking out my anger on the pedal.

“Kate’s house is that way.”

“And?” I ask, taking a right at the lights.

“And . . . it’s where I live.”

“You’re staying at mine.”

“No, that wasn’t part of the deal. I have until eight in the morning before you distract me again.”

“I’ve changed the deal.”

“You can’t change the deal.”

I turn my incensed expression onto her, forcing back my growl. “You did,” I say lowly, watching as her expression turns into pure filth.