Chapter 275

Aria's POV "I frowned, wrinkling my nose as Lillian hugged me goodbye. "Of course my bestie can call me babe." The evening had been perfect—fresh lobster and two bottles of rich cabernet that left a warm tingle on my tongue. By the time we said our goodbyes, the clock had ticked past ten. Ryan had knocked back a few too many glasses to drive, so he'd called for a car service. Lillian had planned to grab an Uber, but Ryan insisted she ride with his driver instead—something about a woman shouldn't travel alone this late. Me? I'd only had one beer, but the alcohol hit me harder than expected. The pleasant buzz I'd felt earlier had transformed into a delicious warmth spreading through my limbs. After buckling my seatbelt, I turned toward Aiden in the driver's seat, my forehead crinkling with the effort of focusing on his face. "Aiden, I think I'm drunk." His lips quirked upward, eyes crinkling at the corners. "People who are actually drunk never admit they're drunk." He'd stayed sober sinc