“Amazing how the past follows you,” she said.
He cleared his throat and popped off his chair. “Come on, Simone. Let’s get a real drink, not the cheap house wine on the tables.”
Alan stalked away with his girlfriend, and I let out the laugh I was holding in once they were out of earshot.
“I probably shouldn’t still bring it up, but he made that crack about the breadbasket and I couldn’t resist. See?” she whispered, patting my knee. “I told you that I had your back.”
I stretched my arm across the back of her chair and kissed her cheek. “Just this once, I’m going to admit you’re right. Bringing you with me tonight was the best idea ever.”
A blush filled her cheeks, and goose bumps prickled down her neck. I seemed to be good at this game too.
Even if it wasn’t much of a game.
“Yeah, you’re not a terrible date either, so far.” She worried her bottom lip between her teeth. I remembered that mouth. And byremembered, I meant I was borderline obsessed. I’d always been attracted to her, but my constant irritation toward her kept me from ever wanting to make a move. What she said about aggression spilling over into passion was true because we were going to explode if we didn’t stop acclimating so well into role play.
It was a little too easy to touch each other tonight. So natural that I couldn’t stop doing it. My hand was back on her thigh, giving it a little squeeze before I sobered. I didn’t need to drink tonight because I was already intoxicated by my childhood enemy turned fake date and real object of lust.
I glanced over at my parents and noticed they were watching our every move, as a lot of the people here tonight probably were. Maybe I was high on the crazy alliance we’d made or how good she felt next to me or the burning need to finish what our kiss started, but instead of dreading the hours we had to spend together, I didn’t want the night to end.
My problem was what to do about it when it did.
ELEVEN
OLIVIA
“Is this a new thing now?” Tyler asked me as he swished around the pink liquid in his cocktail glass.
“Custom wedding cocktails? I’ve seen a few,” I replied as I took another sip. The Mr. and Mrs. Bennett cocktail they conjured for Donnie and Cassandra was potent. I tasted rum, maybe a little coconut, and something else I couldn’t pinpoint. I was no lightweight, but whatever this was shot straight to my head, and I was already loose enough in judgment tonight.
Tyler wasn’t feeling much pain himself, loosening up after a few beers. It was good to see him laughing with Donnie at the bar earlier. Maybe he really wasn’t that cranky and it was just some of the people in this room that made him that way. Usually that included me, but he seemed happy to have me with him. As much as I tried not to read into that, it was a struggle.
Pride swelled in my chest whenever I glanced at the cake he’d made. He blew off every compliment, saying it was a group effort by his staff, but the way he designed it was beautiful. The dark chocolate with the white roses cascading down the side was simple, different, and gorgeous.
“I’ve seen birthday parties with cocktails named after the guest of honor too. I have no idea how they come up with what to put into it.”
“I could see you having your own cocktail at your next birthday party,” Tyler teased, the corner of his mouth lifting. “You had everything else at your parties.”
I gulped the last of the drink and set it onto the bar.
“I don’t celebrate my birthday anymore.”
His brows knit together as he placed his glass next to mine. “Right. You? I half expect the next May eleventh to be a bank holiday every year.” He laughed until he caught my gaze, most likely noting the tension in my jaw that appeared whenever someone mentioned my birthday.
“I don’t. And I don’t want to discuss it,” I snapped, regretting it when he flinched. The last thing I wanted was to go back to old Tyler and Olivia, the ones who sniped at each other all the time.
I darted my eyes away, exhaling a slow breath through my nostrils. “I’m sorry. It’s a long story that I don’t want to ruin tonight with. Okay?”
He nodded and seemed to let it go. I understood his confusion. I always lived for my birthday. My parents put on huge parties for their only child, and I reveled in every single one. Even after I’d turned thirty, I planned big dinners and trips with friends, treated myself to things weeks in advance. Then the universe showed me the price of being that selfish, and the past couple of birthdays all I’d wanted to do was forget. I spent them alone, hoping they’d pass as quickly as possible.
“Well, I know what I’d put in an Olivia cocktail,” he rasped, leaning his elbow onto the bar. Grouchy Tyler was hot enough—playful-and-sexy Tyler was irresistible.
“What’s that?” I asked, my words breathy as I tried to match his tone.
He tapped his chin. “I’d have to play with the mixers, but I know I’d start with Fireball.”
“Whiskey?” I squinted back. “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or an insult.”
He laughed, warm and low enough to make my toes clench in my high heels before he eased closer to whisper in my ear.
