How on Earth did we ever manage to get along for so long?
“There’s probably some wine coolers,” I reply.
Eva grabs a drink and saunters over to Irene and me, puckering her pink, glossy lips into a pouty kiss to plant on my cheek, but as soon as she gets close, I push her away.
“What? Now that you’re back on the farm, you’re just going to ditch me now?” she says, placing a hand on her hip. “That’s fine. I’ll just go back on over to where I’m appreciated.” She winks at me.
Seeing her walk back over to Garrett and sling her arm around his neck makes me regret how I had treated her. Having to suffer her presence is better than suffering the sight of her wrapped around Garrett.
“I have to say, the company you’re keeping after ditching me isn’t an upgrade,” Irene says.
“Agreed.”
“Damn, where are all these people coming from? There’s like twice as many people at Bons then there usually is,” Irene says, but I’m too lost in thought to reply.
Eva whispers something into Garrett’s ear, and his lips curl into a smile.
Relax—chill…if you overreact, everyone is going to know why. Jake might already know, but Irene certainly doesn’t, and the last thing you want to do is lose her again.
I feel a tap on my shoulder and look over to see the good-natured grin of Brett Mitchel. He’s still wearing his high school letter jacket, though I doubt he can zip it over his bulging gut. His hair is noticeably thinning, and the combover he’s sporting only makes it obvious.
“Oh, hey, Brett.” I give a polite smile.
“Two of my favorite girls in one place, whaddaya know.”
Irene rolls her eyes, but before she can respond, I glance over at Garrett and Eva, who are now engaging in conversation and decide it’s time to give Garrett a taste of his own medicine.
I throw my arms around Brett and wrap him in a hug. “It’s sooooo good to see you!” I enthuse.
“Oh, um-yeah! Same!” Brett says, and I can hear the confusion in his voice.
I stand with my back towards Garrett and Eva, knowing that I’ll be too tempted to cop a glance. “So, what’s going on with you?”
“Been working at the dealership for some five years now. Branch manager.” He smiles with pride.
“Looks like you’re still keeping in shape,” I lie, snaking a hand onto his abs, which are not at all like they were back when he was a teen.
His brows lift in surprise.
“Ali, are you okay?” Irene says.
A few people have joined our gathering, but I’m so focused on Brett, that I pay them no mind.
“Remember that time back in high school when we snuck off, and you gave me my first puff of cigarette?” I say.
“You took one puff, then damn near hacked a lung out,” he responds.
I hear Eva squeal, a sound she only makes when she’s honing in on her prey, and my imagination goes into overdrive, picturing Garrett’s mouth on hers.
This is stupid. Garrett hasn’t done anything wrong. You’re going to make a fool of yourself.
But for whatever reason, I can’t stop. I’ll be damned if I let Eva know I’m riled. I’ll let her think I’m cool as a cucumber, and give Brett and ego boost. No harm will come from my bad decisions tonight.
Eva’s laughter needles me again.
Pull yourself together, Ali. It’s not like they’re going to sleep together.
Or that’s what I try to convince myself.
