[Southern Arcana 2.0] Crossroads Read Free Page B

cake.”
    “Whatever doesn’t get taken home is going to the nearest shelter in the morning,” she warned over her shoulder, then rose on her toes to kiss Mama Holt’s cheek. “Don’t be a stranger. Come back tomorrow. I’ll make mint juleps and fill you in on all the latest gossip.”
    She beamed. “That’s a deal, honey. Come on, Mackenzie. Let’s meet Jack outside. I think the party’s winding down.”
    Nick kissed Mackenzie’s cheek next. “Be careful, and I’ll see you guys later.” Mackenzie leaned closer and lowered her voice to a whisper. “Don’t be an idiot, Nick. Derek’s been making big eyes at you all night. Make a move now or I never want to hear you complaining again.” Her cheeks burned. “We’ll see.” She waved as they walked out, locked the door behind them and turned toward the table where her remaining guests waited.
    Kat sat sideways in the booth, leaning back against Andrew. He was finishing up a beer and grinning at Derek, who sat across from them. Nick’s breath caught, and she made a concerted effort to breathe in and out.
    He’d dressed simply in jeans and a gray button-up shirt that made his eyes look unbelievably blue.
    Nick tamped down the lust that rose in her and grabbed a bottle of top-shelf tequila and a handful of shot glasses from behind the bar. She walked over, the low heels of her slip-ons clicking against the floor.
    “Shots?”
    “Oh God, more alcohol?” Kat laughed and struggled to sit upright. “Can I sleep on a table here? I don’t even remember where I live.”
    “That’s why friends and taxicabs were invented.” Still, Nick lined up only three glasses and raised an eyebrow. “Andrew? Derek?”
    Andrew shrugged his shoulders as gingerly as he could without disturbing Kat. “Hell, I’m game.” Moira Rogers
    “None for me,” Derek murmured, though his friendly smile managed to warm and confuse her at the same time. “Not sure how I feel about chasing carrot cake with tequila.” Which was exactly why Nick had avoided the cake altogether. “Come on.” She poured the shots and sat beside him, acutely aware of the warm press of his thigh against hers. “Live dangerously.” Andrew grinned and raised his shot. “To Kat, on a happy birthday.” Nick clinked her glass against his and gulped the shot, grimacing as the liquor burned down her throat. “I should have fetched more limes from the kitchen.”
    Kat snatched the last glass and tipped it back. She gasped, tears springing to her eyes as she slammed the glass down on the table. “Derek will go get some with you. You can teach me how to do body shots. It looks fun in the movies.”
    With both men at the table shooting her apprehensive looks, Nick shook her head. “Maybe next time.
    My birthday’s coming up in a couple months, you know.”
    Andrew hooted. “We can have another party.”
    Nick toyed with her empty glass. “I don’t know. My father wants me to come to New York. He’s been after me about it for weeks.”
    Kat listed a little to the side before Andrew steadied her. “Hey, you should take Derek. Mari said he’s taking some time off, and he’s going to be depressed if you’re not around to hit on.” Derek glared at Kat, and a furious blush spread up his neck and cheeks.
    “I’m sure he’ll find something to occupy himself,” Nick said casually, but she could feel her easy countenance beginning to slip, so she glanced over at Andrew. “Do I need to call a cab?”
    “Nah.” He slipped one of Kat’s arms around his shoulders and laughed again. “Up, birthday girl.
    We’re being kicked out.”
    “What?” Kat let Andrew nudge her out of the booth, but she swayed a little when he urged her to stand. “Oh, are they going to make out? Thank God. Finally. Let’s go.” Nick could hear Derek grinding his teeth. “You better leave with Andrew, Kat, because if I take you home, I’m dunking you under a cold shower.”
    “Bah. You’re no fun.” Kat looped her other