The guy stammers something about leaving and finally moves. I hear the door click behind him, and I shake my head.
Pathetic.
Mirror Ace looks at me. “And don’t forget,” I whisper, brushing my hair back and straightening my dress, “he wants me. And I want him. Enzo and his rules can fuck off tonight, because we’re not playing by them.”
I pinch my own chin, feeling the adrenaline spike.
My body remembers the press of his chest, his hands finding mine on the dance floor, the heat radiating from him, driving me insane.
I take a long breath, smooth my hair, fix my eyeliner, and stand tall. Tonight? We’re kissing all night. Every second. And if anyone else wants to interrupt? They’re about to get a very clear message: don’t.
Opening the door, I push past the guy from the bathroom earlier, hearing him mutter over my head, “Eto nasha devochka.”
I search the crowd for Elijah, but I can’t find him. I look for Gen or Enzo instead, but I still come up empty. I keep walking toward the bar and try to order a drink; however, it seems I no longer exist to the bartender when I’m not escorted by Elijah.
“Excuse me,” I shout.
He taps a hand on the counter in front of me and gives me a knowing look. “Eighteen and older.”
My mouth closes. I had been so swept up in the night, I actually forgot I’m only in this place because Elijah and Enzo have some type of connection to it.
“Um,” I hesitate. “Could I just get a water, please?”
He nods, and I grasp the cold glass, holding it tightly to my chest as I continue to look around.
After a few moments, I allow my mind to relax.
I’m alone. Alone for the first time in—for the first time ever.
I squeeze my lips together to hold in my grin, trying not to look like a crazy girl smiling to herself, but then my eyes catch Gen’s back.
My navy dress and her long, curly hair.
I set down my glass and start towards her when a hand, a familiar hand, grasps a fist of her hair and leans into her.
I immediately tense. “Elijah,” I whisper. Somehow, hoping that if I say his name, I’ll be taken out of this trance.
I move around, hoping to see that I’m wrong. It’s just someone with similar hands, not the guy I’ve been in love with for the last two years.
My hand immediately catches my mouth as I watch Elijah lean back, smile, and take Gen’s mouth in deeper, grabbing at her everywhere he can.
I run for the back exit, unable to stomach the sight of my first love and my first friend.
Chapter 15
Aurelia
Present
The black-and-white glow of the screen dances across my face.His Girl Fridayplays quietly, Rosalind Russell walking fast, talking faster, commanding attention without raising her voice. I love her. I love all of them.
“She talks too much,” a voice cuts in from behind me.
I don’t even turn. “You grunt too much.”
Elijah steps into the light. Dressed in black, obviously. He looks like someone who’s never had a sweet thought in his life. We haven’t really spoken since I basically coerced him into kissing me, and I can’t tell if he’s mad at me or not. I wanted to apologize but I also wanted to tell him to get off his high horse and fuck me because I know he wants to.
Unless.
