“You’ve outdone yourself,” I smile down at her, “Well done.”
“I’m proud of it,” she says quietly, a soft smile on her lips.
We find the rest of our group a minute later, ordering drinks from the bar. I get myself a whiskey and Olivia a wine, letting her go so she can mingle with a few of the guests vying for her attention.
Willow stays with her, but Olivia seems at ease, her shoulders are relaxed and her smile light.
Sebastian drops onto the stool next to me. I glance at my best friend, noting the grin and choosing to ignore it.
But of course, it’s Bast, and the fucker doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut.
“Damn, Kai,” He muses, watching the girls, “Never seen you so…” He trails off his words, tilting his head as he watches Willow move, “Enraptured.”
“Pick up a dictionary, did we?” I jab.
He cuts me a scathing look, “Bit close, isn’t it?” He hits right back, “You gonna miss that hundred K?”
His words remind me of that stupid bet we made a couple weeks ago. I don’t tell him I’ve already won. I didn’t sleep with Olivia to win that bet. I forgot all about it until right fucking now and the reminder turns something sour in my stomach.
“I’m not in the bet,” I tell him, “You can have the money.”
His head snaps to me, “Shit.”
“What?” I growl.
“You have feelings for her.” He points out.
“Shut the fuck up, Sebastian.”
“Holy shit,” A laugh bursts from him, “You have actual, real to fucking god feelings for her.”
“That’s enough.”
“Have you fucked her?” He asks.
So polite.
It’s none of his damn business though, I won’t tell him I have. I won’t tell him that beingwithher is like taking a breath. It’s more than sex. It’s home. It’s the feeling that all my puzzle pieces have finally found the matching set.
“No.” I lie.
“Either way,” He chuffs, “I’m gonna be hundred grand richer. Maybe I’ll get a new car.”
“Buy whatever the fuck you like with it,” I grumble.
“You’re giving up?”
I turn away from him, waving a hand to flag down the server to refill my glass.
“Olivia is more than a bet, Bast.” I admit, giving him a raw version of myself. It doesn’t happen often, and he knows it.
“Shit.” He widens his eyes, “You’re in love with her.”
I shake my head, I didn’t think I was quite there yet but close? I was damn sure close. And I don’t even really know when it happened.
Was it the salt in the coffee? The neon socks?
Was it her fight and then submission?
