PREVIEW - On the Way Down - On Amazon and Kindle Unlimited in summer 2025!

Some force in the universe must take pity on me, or perhaps Phoenix takes the hint. Tension eases out of my body when he remains where he is for the first four songs, which is also when the calming effects of the lemon drop shot Ava bought me kick in. I decline her offer of a second shot and opt for water, then finally give my undivided attention to the band's performance.

They're a spectacular blur of energy and fun. I should have accepted one of Torin's many invitations and tagged along with Ava to a show before tonight. Their original songs are catchy and beat-driven, and their cover songs electrify the room. By the time they announce the last song of their set, I'm dancing and singing along every bit as much as Ava is, until she takes my hand.

"Come on!" she yells, then raises our arms and leads me in a twirl.

She spins me around once, then a second time. Mid-turn, my joy comes to a screeching halt, and so do I. Not everyone in the bar is watching the band. Phoenix is watching us.

"What do you think about bailing on the after party and finding something else to do tonight?" I suggest. "Maybe more dancing at Hakkasan?"

If there's one person I can't fool, it's Ava. She throws a dark look in Phoenix's direction, then turns her side-eye on me.

"Not a chance. We aren't letting that sparkle pony change our plans for the night." She tosses her hair over her shoulder, then reaches out her hand. "Can I have some of your water?"

I pass her the bottle and don't hear what she says next. Phoenix is headed our way.

"We should go." I turn on my heel and beeline for the exit. I'm already past the door and in the casino by the time Ava catches up to me.

"Whoa, slow it down. Where's the fire?"

"Hopefully not following us." I hurry past a few game tables, then turn into a row of slot machines. It's a good enough hiding spot for now.

"Sit," Ava commands. "Please remember who the hell you are, and I don't mean who you were six or eight years ago. There's no reason for you to run."

Uh oh. She's wearing the "don't-even-consider-arguing-with-me" expression that's been perfected throughout the course of her public relations career. I plop onto a seat in front of a slot machine.

"I can't help it. Seeing him brought me back there."

"Then I'm hauling you into the present, where you belong. Did you or did you not hit the New York Times bestseller list with your last novel?" She puts her hands on her hips and stares me down.

"Yes." I consider noting that it didn't crack the top five, but she fires another question at me before I can.

"How many of your novels are being adapted for film as we speak?"

"Two."

"And what person in the bar tonight wrecked his career, nosedived to the Z-list, and is completely irrelevant to anyone now?"

"Phoenix."

Ava arches an eyebrow. She appears to be satisfied with my answers. "Correct on all three. You have every reason to stand your ground, ignore him, and continue to be the stunning, successful, and strong woman you are. So let's find an Uber, go to Torin's house, and have a better time than should be legal. Besides, I have a plan."

She whips out her phone, presumably to request a ride, and motions with her free hand for me to follow her. I can head back to our room and risk a several-hour lecture during our drive home tomorrow about hiding out, letting Phoenix win, and being the most boring almost-thirty-year-old to ever visit Las Vegas, or I can play along and find out what she's up to. I swallow a sigh and get to my feet.