My Spy 5: A Southern Girl in Paris

Crazier

Gus and Annabeth wave to Bash as his car pulls into the driveway and I walk down with him over to the passenger side.

"Thanks for coming. I had fun," I tell him as he spins around to face me. He tucks my hair behind my ear before saying, "I enjoyed your chums immensely. I'm glad I came too." He pulls me in for a kiss and after we separate, he goes for the car door handle but stops himself. He looks back at me and I notice his hesitation. I wonder if something is wrong.

"I don't want to overstep, but if I don't ask you this question it won't leave my mind alone for the rest of the evening," he says and I am instantly curious. And then I panic that he's going to ask if I consider myself his girlfriend after my comment from earlier.

"Okay, what's up?" I ask him and I notice Annabeth and Gus have made their way back inside.

"It's just that, I know everyone out here seems to run in small circles so, I was wondering if the vampire was going to be at the party tonight?" He asks and I can tell he's concerned.

I shake my head, "This is a different set of friends and I think Ryan has already moved to New York. So no, I won't be seeing him. Why the concern?"

I catch his relief before he says, "It's just that...it's a party and I know drinking will be involved. I won't be around, so I wasn't sure if I needed to be worried." I bite my lip to keep from grinning. 

"I didn't know you'd be worried if Ryan was going."

He flashes me a brief smile and then says, "Look, I know we are taking things slow and not going there yet, but I don't think I want you going there with anyone else either." He says slowly and I raise my eyebrows at his honesty.

"You want to be exclusive, is that what you are saying? Don't sleep with anyone unless it's each other?" I ask and I watch as he gives me a casual shrug.

"I'm not usually one to put a label on things, but I think I'd like to put an exclusive one on you if you are okay with that," he asks and I nod. He didn't say the word girlfriend, but I will take the word exclusive.

"I am exclusively yours then," I tell him and he quickly replies, "And I am yours." This time I don't try and tame my wide smile and he gives one just as big back to me. He kisses me once more before dropping into the car.

I watch him disappear down the driveway and then squeal all the way inside.

***********

Tinsley's engagement party is in full swing by the time we get to Mel's. There are colorful decorations covering the entire bar area and she giddily greets everyone that steps through the door.

"Ahh! You guys made it!" Her already high-pitched voice shrieks as she runs over to us and I can tell she's drunk when she pulls us in for a crushing hug.

She takes a step back and then says, "There's room over here! Let's get you a seat and grab you a drink!" She tugs at my hand and Gus and Annabeth follow behind me over to a pub table by the pool tables. Annabeth drops the gift we got her onto the designated table and within minutes, Tinsley is thrusting iced cold beer bottles into our hands. Annabeth laughs when Tinsley completely forgets about the baby bump.

"I'll go grab ya a tea or somethin'," Gus tells A.B and she nods gratefully in response. Tinsley runs off to go greet her newest guests and I scan the area to see if there is anyone I know. I spot her fiancé in a vivid discussion with Wade from the winery but otherwise, I don't know anyone here too well.

"I forget Tinsley is five years younger than us until I see who she hangs with," Annabeth says as her eyes glide around the room and I nod back to her. A cute blonde girl that comes into the winery a lot saunters over to where we are sitting and drunkenly asks, "You're the girl that knows the hot British guy right?" My eyes dart to Annabeth's before replying, "Yep, I know Sebastian."