“Huh?”
“The Great Gatsby?” Aaron’s voice is soft, smooth. Like aged whiskey.
“Of course I’ve read it,” I say petulantly. “Who hasn’t? It’s required reading in high school.”
“You don’t like it.” He smirks.
“I didn’t say that.”
“Your eyes did.” He leans closer, his forehead brushing mine. His warm brown eyes find mine far too easily.
“I’m surprised. I thought you loved romance,” he teases.
“I do, I just—” I sigh. “It’s not really a happy ending. Romance is supposed to have a happy ending.”
The musician swings into a jazzy, somber cover of “Don’t Say It’s Over” by Crowded House, and Aaron tightens his grip on my waist. I feel the heat from his palms, warm through my suit jacket.
“I think it’s more realistic that way,” Aaron says smoothly. “They might not have had a happy ending, but… his love never faded.”
“She didn’t deserve him, though,” I say, my voice breaking just the slightest. “She was selfish and afraid and—”
Aaron’s lips find mine swiftly, chasing away the words on my tongue.
When he breaks away, I can’t help but lose myself in the warmth of his gaze.
“But he still loved her, despite all of that,” he whispers. “I think that’s romantic.”
I tighten my arms around his neck. “I knew you had a flaw.” I smirk.
Aaron chuckles as the singer continues to serenade us with softhey now’s that echo in the cavernous space. The lights shine on him like a red-rimmed halo.
“Well, we can’t all be perfect like Prince Charming, now can we?” he whispers, sliding his hands up and down my waist, my back. I relish the feel of his touch, of his hold. I wish I could freeze this moment forever. I glance to my left, noting Garrett across the room with his champagne glass, George animatedly talking to someone. Garrett glares daggers at me, his gaze making my blood chill as the memories try to resurface. I look away, back at Aaron, back into his poignant gaze.
And like Gatsby, I search for the light, the anchor I need to forget about the past and the future.
All I need is this moment; the present. So that’s what I focus on.
All night I feel Garrett’s eyes on me. Watching me like a hawk. The singer croons out a smooth, dark rendition of Adele’s “Chasing Pavements”as I grab myself a glass of champagne, my eyes on the door next toDaisy’s.My memory wanders to last night, to Aaron’s confessions.
He’d been with Garrett on and off for decades.
He said he never loved him.But he loves me.
Is loveenough,though? Can love withstand the barriers between us?
I don’t know. I don’t know if once this is over, if it’s reallyover.
I don’t know what’s real anymore. I’ve been living in a fantasy too long at this point to remember what reality is.
But soon enough I’ll have to go back to reality. The question is will he come with me? Does my reality include him?
The night goes smoothly. Lola and I dance to all the upbeat pop songs, and in between I enjoy the food—most of it is good even if I don’t knowwhatit is—and free-flowing champagne, if only to alleviate my nerves. Aaron finds me once more when the singer performs “Wildest Dreams” by my favorite girl, Taylor, and he wraps his arms around my waist. I look up at him beneath the neon lights, my heart beating like a freight train as I stare up at Mr. Perfect, in all his glory.
I whisper along with Taylor’s words, begging him to remember me, even if it’s only in his dreams. My voice shakes, the truth of her lyrics lodged in my throat.
I love you. I know I shouldn’t, but I do.
“Always, baby,” he says, tightening his grip on me. He kisses me. Long and slow, and I forget about everything. About fake relationships and lies and exes and jobs notwithstanding.
