Nicholas's Pov
Reed looked like he was one second away from strangling Lucy or kissing me just to shut her up. Either way, I was fine with either outcome. I hid a smile behind my glass, watching the way his jaw flexed, he's always so composed, except for the tiny tells. The muscle is ticking near his temple. The way his hand twitched like he was holding back the urge to touch me.
Lucy was still laughing, eyes glimmering like she'd just witnessed the best show of the night. "You two should really take this on the road," she said, leaning back in her chair.
Reed muttered something under his breath and stood, loosening the collar of his uniform. The room had started thinning out officers and soldiers drifting toward the exits, the sharp scent of bourbon fading beneath the soft hum of conversation. He glanced at me, and that familiar, unspoken you coming? Hit harder than it should've.
"Leaving already?" Lucy asked, feigning a pout.
