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at Matthias, hoping he got the message. Hoping Gray didn't notice.
          I excused myself, leaving the two of them to figure something out. Thankfully I'd always been talented when it came to walking and even running in high heels, for which I sent up a silent prayer of thanks given the occasional perilous gaps in the floorboards.
          I killed a few minutes in the ladies' scrutinizing my reflection for signs of drunken sluttery. Eyeliner: smudged, but that was inevitable, and a good look. A narrow black line looked too perfect. As the night wore on and it smudged across my top lid and just below my bottom lashes, it looked more smoky. Come hither.
          As I toddled back out, Matthias headed towards me. Impeccable timing. Fake-steadying myself on his arm I knew he would know I'd accosted him for a quick word. "Well?"
          He yawned and patted his mouth. "I'm very tired, Piper. I think I'll go home and have an early night."
          "Oh that's a shame." I couldn't help but smile. "Are you absolutely sure?"
          "Definitely. Perhaps I'm getting too old for this nightclub nonsense. I should leave it to you young 'uns." He was, at twenty-eight, only four years older than I and one older than Gray. "But please remember he's my friend. I want him back in one piece," he whispered, leaning in so noone else heard. "And may God help him." He straightened again. "Right. I'm just going to answer a call of nature and I'll be right back."
          "Yeah, see ya." I winked as he exited, owing him one for this. "Hey, Gray." I plumped myself down in the booth next to him. I'd avoided him all evening, it was about time we exchanged a few words. "What's happening then?"
          "Did Matthias catch you? He's probably not gonna go on to a club."
          "Oh." I forced my mouth into a pout. "He's probably tired. Never mind." I patted Gray's thigh and let my hand rest for a split second longer than necessary. A barely perceptible squeeze and I lifted my hand back into my own lap.
          He cleared his throat, looking down at my lap and the hand which had just touched him.
          Gotcha.
          "I'm happy to stay out if you are," I said, finally
    looking him in the eye. "Unless...? The night is still young and all that, but it depends on whether you want to stay out and go clubbing with a girl." I raised my eyebrows.
          "Won't Matthias mind?" His gaze flitted across the room, watchful of my brother's return.
          "I shouldn't think so. We could ask him if you'd like? He certainly wouldn't mind if we stayed out late."
          "It's not the lateness of the hour that concerns me. Don't you remember...?"
          "Of course I remember. I don't understand why that should be Math's business, to be honest."
          "His friend? And his sister? Surely he would mind if knew something even as innocent as a kiss had happened between us?"
          "Gray. There was nothing innocent about that kiss." It had lasted for twenty minutes at one of Math's house parties, in a bedroom with the door locked and both of us undisturbed but not coming up for air. "If you want to stay out, I'm happy enough to stay out with you. That's if you...?" I willed him to read my thoughts, my unasked question.
          "Do I mind you staying out? Hell no."
          "I wondered if perhaps you wanted a boys' night thing. Mind you, if Math's going home you'll need some company. Unless you'd rather go do your own thing." I looked around as I spoke, searching the crowd for the re-emergence of my brother, looking away from Gray so he wouldn't be on the spot.
          "No, no. It's all right by me. More than all right. Honestly." He smiled when I looked back at him and something in his eyes told me he spoke honestly. "If you're sure it's okay with—"
          "Gray. Stop fretting about my brother. He's not my chaperon. He doesn't need to warn you off me. If it makes