And from the change in her demeanor, she’s no happier about it than I am.
6
KENDALL
Patterson Cross is staring at me from across the bar like I ruined his night.
Good.
I hold his gaze and bite the inside of my cheek. What are the fucking odds of this? Even in the low light of Diamond, I see the tension in his shoulders beneath that dark shirt that fits him too well.
The universe has a really sick sense of humor.
His eyes are locked on mine, blue-green and furious. I twist the thin gold bracelet on my wrist—an anxious habit I’ve never broken, which is why I rarely wear jewelry. A moment later, he glances away to say something to Callan.
The bass pulses through the marble bar top and into my fingertips. Crystal chandeliers scatter light across black walls, and the air smells like expensive perfume and bad decisions. Everyone in here is dressed to the nines, and I’m in a black dress, trying to blend in.
“Kendall.” Addison snaps her fingers in my face. “You completely checked out on me.”
“Sorry. Got distracted.”
She follows my gaze and sighs. “Oh. Wonderful. I swear I didn’t know they’d be here.”
“Whatever bad I did in a past life, I’m positive your brother is my karma,” I say.
Addison flags down the bartender. “Two shots of tequila, salt, and lime, please.”
The liquor is set in front of us. We pick them up and slam them down. It burns, and I set the empty glass on the bar a little too hard. The tequila joins the cosmos already swimming through my bloodstream, and the room begins to wobble.
“Don’t let him ruin your night,” Addison says. “I can see it on your face.”
“I can’t relax around him. I’m always playing defense. It’s exhausting.”
“Pretend he doesn’t exist,” she says.
“You’re right.” I breathe out. “Tell me more about that guy at the bakery.”
She launches back into her story about the cutie who wrote his number on a croissant bag. I listen, but after another cosmo, movement from across the room catches my eye.
A younger blonde woman approaches the VIP booth, and I assume she’s barely old enough to drink. She has long legs and a dress that barely covers her perfect body. Smiley gets up and allows her to sit next to Patterson. His arm slides around her, and he shoots her a grin.
What the fuck?
“Does he have a girlfriend?”
“God, no. He hasn’t committed to anyone in …” She thinks about it. “A long time.”
The woman is exactly the type I’ve seen in his tabloid photos. Confident and naturally beautiful in an effortless way that makes everyone else in the room feel inadequate. I’ve watched himcycle through models and actresses while telling myself I didn’t care.
Idon’t.
Patterson leans in to whisper something, and she laughs, tipping her head back. His mouth hovers near her ear, and I’m shocked by the jealousy burning through me.
I order another drink because I can’t watch this. The bartender slides a fresh cosmo across the marble, and I take a long sip. Seconds later, they leave the booth together and head toward the back of the bar. As they walk, Patterson’s hand finds the small of her back.
I set my glass down. “I’ll be right back.”
“Kendall.”
