Need You Tonight by Marquita Valentine

can’t.”
    Exasperated, I grumble, “Then why don’t you order for me?”
    Twin looks of horror give way to smiles.
    “She’s a smart one.”
    “Knew you’d love her.”
    “So sweetly gullible.”
    “You’re one to talk.”
    “Shut up, Ro.”
    They burst out laughing while I stare at them like they’ve lost their minds…until it hits me. My mouth falls open in shock.
    “Oh my gosh! You guys were teasing me, weren’t you?”
    “Maybe,” Rowan says.
    Piper smacks Rowan’s arm, then turns her attention back to me. “Yes we were, but you passed the test.”
    “That was a test?”
    “It was Rowan’s idea,” Piper says quickly.
    A server comes and takes our order, but I request my own darn drink.
    “Good girl,” Rowan says approvingly.
    I stick my tongue out at her, feeling giddy and years younger all of a sudden.
    “Rowan said you moved from Jacksonville. Is that near Camp Lejeune,” Piper asks and I nod, my stomach flipping a little. This is the part where I talk about my husband, his death, and—“Why Forrestville of all places? I would have picked Maui or Tahiti.”
    My stomach stops flipping in dread. “I put a map of the US on the wall, closed my eyes, and threw a dart at it.”
    “No way,” Rowan says, gasping a little. “I wouldn’t have taken you for being so adventurous.”
    “I don’t think living here is adventurous.” Parker’s image comes to mind. Adventurous, no. Emotional, yes.
    “Then why didn’t you throw another dart?” Piper asks.
    Because I couldn’t bear to leave Braden. I couldn’t bear moving so far away that I couldn’t visit his grave. But I don’t feel comfortable admitting that.
    Instead, I shrug and give them a more palatable explanation—one that won’t make everyone feel sorry for me. “I guess I didn’t want to leave North Carolina, after all.”
    *
    Parker
    “ S O THAT’S THE infamous widow,” West says as we lean on the balcony in the VIP section and look down at the dance floor.
    Normally, this section is reserved for the rich and famous. On any given night, the hottest act in music, newest racing or movie star will be partying up here. Tonight’s no different, but I’m not paying them any attention. The only reason West and I are allowed up here is because of Beau Montgomery. His brother owns the place, and we called in a favor.
    In the past, Beau would have met us here, but he’s married now. He’s content and in love with a girl who’s the exact opposite of him.
    “Yeah. I wasn’t expecting to see her here tonight.” I take a drink of my beer and watch as Brooklyn, Rowan, and Piper head to the dance floor.
    I’ve known Rowan and Piper since elementary school. Well, mainly I’ve known Rowan, since we’re from the same part of town. Piper’s like West, a rich kid who doesn’t give a shit about where her friends are from.
    Only, she’s super quiet and shy. I would think someone like Brooklyn would get along with Piper. But when I think about how she teased me, how she got me to chase her in the yard… I don’t think Brooklyn’s shy at all.
    Or at least, she’s not with me. Isn’t that a kick in the teeth?
    “Why not?”
    “She said she was going to The Double Deuce.”
    “Are you going to stare at her all night, or actually talk to her?” West asks, breaking me out of my thoughts.
    Brooklyn starts to dance, but from up here I can’t tell if she’s really into it or not. Rowan and Piper dance with her, arms waving in the air while they shake their asses. All three of them burst out laughing.
    “I’m fine right where I am.”
    “Then why are you so bent out of shape over her?”
    I slice my gaze to West. “I’m not.”
    He nods, a small smirk emerging. “I can see that.”
    “Look, I’m trying to do the right thing and stay away from her. I’m leaving soon, and she needs someone who’s going to stick around for a while.” But the thought of staying away from her, of going back on my word to help her, makes me