We sit down. I pull her onto my lap, and she puts her hands on my face. “Xander, what’s going on?”
“I’m sorry. Did you wear pink lipstick the night we met? And you wore a pink dress?”
She pauses, thinking. “Yes, I think so.”
I nod. “I just had a flashback. And did I tell you, ‘I’m claiming you as mine tonight unless you have any objections?’”
She strokes my head and nods. “You did. What else do you remember?”
“Nothing. I don’t know if it’s because of the lights and music, but your face was flashing between now and then in my head. I’m sorry I ruined our dance.”
She puts her finger over my lips. “Shh. You ruined nothing.” She leans in and kisses me so sweetly, I’m sure I did something extra good in my last life to have her in my arms.
I pull back and grin at her. “You look hot with pink or red lips.”
“Hey, I have to go to the restroom.”
“Okay, I’ll go with you.” I put my arm around her waist and lead her down the hall. She goes inside the restroom, and I stand against the wall, waiting.
I’m looking at my phone when a familiar voice says, “Xander?”
Slowly, I gaze up, not believing it.
“Billie?” I’m in shock as I stare at her. She doesn’t seem like she’s changed much. Her honey-colored hair looks the same, but I realize she’s been drinking pretty heavy when I look at herbrown eyes.
“Xander.” She flings herself at me, and I catch her in my arms so she doesn’t fall.
“Whoa. Steady there.”
Before I know it, she grabs my neck, pulls me to her face, and kisses me.
I try to pull out of it, but she is wobbly, so I move my hand on her back to keep her from falling.
She has her hands on my face and on lockdown. I try to pull back, but she’s hanging onto me, she’s so drunk. When I finally pull away from her, Charlotte is standing in front of me, her eyes wide and blinking back tears.
“Get off me, Billie. Charlotte, this isn’t—”
I can’t say anything else because her eyes widen farther. She turns and bolts down the hall. Billie is still in my arms, and I try to steady her to go after Charlotte, but she’s off-balance, and if I let her go, she will fall.
“Billie, stand up,” I tell her sternly.
“Xander?”
I turn to see Sally, one of Billie’s friends, staring at me.
“Sally, get her off me,” I growl.
Sally looks at me in shock and grabs Billie, trying to steady her.
As soon as she does, I take off down the hall to find Charlotte. I’m entering the VIP room as she tries to get out the door. She has her clutch, and tears are streaming down her face. Vivian and Chase are back in the room, with worried expressions.
“Charlotte, that wasn’t what you thought it was.”
“Move, Xander.”
“No.”
She shoves me, and I grab her hands. “Stop. That wasn’t what you thought.”
