I’ll tell you all about it when I see you.
Okay. Well, tell Juno I’m happy for her. Have fun.
Thanks, Sawyer. Miss you.
CHAPTER THIRTY
LILY
Having lived in Edinburgh my whole life, I had, along with my family, participated in the four-day Hogmanay festival multiple times. However, the last few years, we’d avoided the city on Hogmanay if we could because it was packed with people from all over the world. In particular, we avoided the Royal Mile because everyone congregated there for the street party.
It took Jan and me ages to even reach the high street and then we had to “politely” shove our way through the crowds to get to the main entrance of Sebastian’s building.
Two massive doormen blocked our way. I’d never seen them before, and they both had a rough, intimidating demeanor. One held a tablet computer and barked, “Name?”
“Oh, uh, Lily and January Sawyer.”
He scrolled through the screen and nodded, stepping aside. “Go on up.”
“There’s a list?” January hissed as we hurried into the building. “Bloody hell, you didn’t tell me this was a VIP party.”
“I think it’s to stop randoms from coming inside.” I shrugged. “There’s never been a list before.” Not that I’d been to any ofSebastian’s parties. I was thankful I’d asked Sebastian if January could tag along and not just shown up with my sister.
January had agreed to attend the Hogmanay party with me as support but also because she was nosy and wanted to see Sebastian’s Royal Mile penthouse.
While my friend and I had exchanged multiple texts over the holidays, we hadn’t talked again since Christmas Day. Instead of moping over how much I missed him and worried about him and his situation with his parents, I attempted to look at the time apart as a good thing. It helped me gather my emotions and put the boundaries in place I needed to continue a friendship with him.
The door to the flat was wide open, probably because of the doormen downstairs halting any “undesirables” from walking in. Music pumped loudly from inside. Surprisingly, it was Dua Lipa, not the boys’ usual indie rock. Catering to the masses, I assumed. I enjoyed a bit of Dua Lipa; the catchy beat of the song put a much-needed swing in my step.
We strolled up the wide hallway. People I didn’t recognize lingered near the entrance to the open-plan living space. As soon as we reached the strangers, I sucked in a breath. There were so many people crowded into the apartment. Way more than I’d anticipated.
“Holy shit.” January gaped around at the teeming kitchen and living room. “This place is huge.” Quickly, she unbuttoned her coat. “I’m getting a drink. Want one?”
I nodded, still a bit dazed as I scanned the room in search of my friend.
Zac suddenly appeared in front of me. Sebastian’s roommate grinned as he pulled me into a tight hug. “Lil, you made it.”
“I did.” I returned his embrace before pulling loose, too hot in my coat.
“Let me get that for you.” Zac gestured as I hurriedly unbuttoned it. “Did you come alone?”
“No, I came with Jan. She’s …” I glanced over my shoulder into the kitchen where my sister was already laughing and chatting away with some cute guy. That was fast! “Getting us a drink. Or supposed to be.”
I shrugged out of my coat and Zac reached for it. My cheeks heated at the hungry expression on his face as his eyes swept down my body.
“You look gorgeous.” He gave me another quick grin before he strode off with my coat. I watched him throw it into his bedroom and tried not to overanalyze the overt appreciation he’d shown me.
Smoothing my hands down my dress, I searched the main room again. Where the hell was Sebastian?
My outfit was armor. After the sting of his rejection, I needed to feel good about myself. Sexy. In control. Nobody’s reject.
However, my plan failed. As I took in the female guests dressed in similarly sexy party attire to my own, I felt stupidly self-conscious. There were so many überslender beauties in the room. I’d never have gently sloping hips and elegant curves. The dress I wore was body-forming, accentuating my exaggerated curves. I had boobs, an arse you could sit a coffee cup on, and hips in abundance. Jan called my figure an “hourglass.” She reminded me famous people paid surgeons to make their body look like mine. I held on to that thought as I took in the stunners who made up half the guest list.
Zac’s compliment did give me a boost, but I couldn’t help but wish I’d worn some jeans and a cute top.
“Here.” Zac appeared with a bottle of chilled beer. “Your sister is preoccupied.”
“Thanks.” I looked back into the kitchen to find Jan shoving her male companion playfully as they flirted. “Less than a minute.”
