Charlotte and Serena wait by a side door while Teller and I return to the main room. Things are calmer now. Everyone’s gone back to having a good time. Shadow’s nowhere to be seen. Z’s in the middle of the room, surrounded by brothers and he lifts his hand when he sees me, calling me over. Teller pats my back. “Tell him I’ll be back as soon as I drop Serena off.”

“Will do.”

I blow out a breath and try to appear as confident and unruffled as possible as I make my way to Z. Weakness won’t cut it tonight.

I force my lips into a calm smile as I approach Z and take his hand. Instead of sitting next to him, I plant my ass firmly in his lap and he slips his arms around my waist without stopping his conversation.

Tension lingers in the air, but there’s also a feeling of relief.

The party’s almost gone back to normal when Shadow storms through the room.

The look he throws our way sends ice spiraling down my spine.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Lilly

Normally, I’d spend the hour-long drive to Empire thinking over everything going on in my life. Today, I find singing along to the radio with Chance more entertaining.

My GPS guides me to Furious Fitness and I’m a little surprised to see Hope made it here before me. She and Trinity are hanging out in the parking lot talking.

“I’m so happy you’re here!” Hope shouts as she jump-tackle-hugs me.

I can’t help laughing. “Are you okay?”

“I’m happy to see you.”

I wait while she pulls Grace out of the car. Chance sways back and forth, trying to get a peek at her.

Grace lets out a hearty scream at being woken up.

“I’m sorry, baby,” Hope coos to her.

“Oh, boy. I don’t miss the screaming months,” I say.

“She’s actually not that bad,” Hope says. “Just doesn’t like being woken up. Like me.”

Trinity holds her arms out. “Let me see her. Hey, Gracie.”

Mara pulls in next to my car and joins us. “Why are you all out here? Are we ditching the exercise thing to get drinks? Because there’s a really nice bar like two miles down the road.”

Trinity laughs and shakes her head. “It’ll be fun, I promise.”

Mara fusses over Grace and bends down to say hi to Chance. Finally, we’re ready to go inside.

Mara bumps Hope with her shoulder. “You just had to mention this to Damon, didn’t you? He’s so worried about me since I’ve been working longer hours.”

Hope slings her arms around Mara’s shoulders and guides her inside.

If I’m honest with myself, I should have done something like this years ago.