Free Sweet Alibi by Adriane Leigh Page A

though he’s supposed to be taking her to marry his uncle.”
    “Right.” He pursed his lips in thought.
    “Think about it ― if a love potion caused them to fall in love, it’s not their fault. It leaves them without guilt; they can’t be held responsible for their actions.” 
    “Rather pessimistic of you.” Tristan bumped my shoulder with his.
    “It's just convenient that they can love free of guilt. They can be selfish, betray his uncle, and tear apart a kingdom.”
    “But shouldn't you always follow your heart?” Tristan raised an eyebrow.
    “At the detriment of others? I don't know.” I frowned.
    “So you’re of the opinion that one should sacrifice true love for the sake of others? How selfless of you.” Tristan rolled his eyes.
    “You advocate lovin’ all over town without care for who gets hurt?” I shot him a disbelieving look.
    “Hey, we’re not talkin’ about lovin’ all over town.” He laughed. “We’re talking about true love,” he said with a shrug. “I don't know the answer. Just something to think about.”
    My heart slammed against my rib cage when he said the words true love . Tristan was a romantic.
    “We should go in.” I closed the book and stood quickly. “I’ve got dinner planned and I imagine Gavin gets growly without food.”
    “Does he ever.” Tristan grinned and butterflies danced in my stomach as we headed to the house.
    Forgotten was the sadness that had consumed me as I stood on the beach earlier.

Twelve
    Georgia

    “WHO'S UP FOR a night out?” Drew threw out as she bounced into the kitchen the next afternoon. I'd been cleaning the house from top to bottom. I'd scrubbed the bathrooms to gleaming before telling Drew that she and Gavin were on their own from here on out because I was not interested in coming into contact with any of their…fluids this summer.
    “I'm so tired.” I slid down the wall to sit on the floor. My head tilted back and my eyes closed; I was ready to sleep for a decade. I wasn’t exhausted just from cleaning; my mind was still reeling from the kiss two days ago ― Tristan’s lips on mine, his taste, his clean ocean scent, his sexy rumpled hair. I couldn’t keep my mind off him and I hated it. I tried avoiding him, or at least kept busy when he was around so I didn’t dwell on every move he made. 
    “You promised you'd go next time, and it's next time. We’re going. Everyone in this house is going!” Drew yelled the last part to make sure she was heard.
    “Going where?” Tristan stepped through the front door.
    “Out ― a bar, a club, I don't care where as long as there is alcohol and dancing. Where have you been?” She arched an eyebrow at him.
    “I was cleaning the boat.” He gestured to the bucket of cleaning supplies he held.
    “Oh. So are you in?” she asked.
    “Always up for a good time,” he said before his eyes flashed to mine.
    “Great! I'll go wrangle Silas.” She bounced out of the room.
    “Hey.” He set the bucket by the front door and stepped toward me.
    “Hey.”
    “Look, about the other morning ― ”
    “It's okay.” I avoided his gaze as I stood up from the floor.
    “Georgia ― ” He placed a warm hand on my arm.
    “Really, Tristan. It’s okay. It just can’t happen again. I’m with someone.” I pulled my arm away. He stood silently before his lips parted then closed again. His eyes shifted to the bright blue sky out the window and I wondered what he’d been about to say.
    His eyes clouded over for a moment before he turned back to me. “Okay.” He turned and strolled out of the room. I kicked myself for ruining something that had been so easy and simple between us. We could have been friends this summer if I hadn’t been so hopelessly drawn to those perfectly full lips and deep green eyes.
    * * *
    THE TAXI PULLED up outside the club and we piled out. We were all dressed for a night on the town. It was unacceptable to Drew to go for a night out without getting dolled up; heels