“But lacking in the chest department.” She eyes my cleavage revealed by the deep V-neckline of my black mini dress.
Whack!
“Ow!” Aria sticks her tongue out and bats Scarlett’s hand away from where she playfully smacked her arm.
“You’re right. This works for everything.” Scarlett grins at me, then turns to her friend. “Quit ogling other people’s tits.”
My lips quirk, and I throw my arms around them. “You’ll be thankful in twenty years when mine sag and yours are still cute and perky.”
Blake laughs and extends his hand. “Blake Amscot, cardiologist slash chaos victim.”
“Hey!” Aria grumbles. “I’m excitement. Not chaos.”
He kisses her forehead, affection warming his eyes. His phone rings, and a frown crosses his face. “It’s the hospital. Emergency surgery. Sorry, have to run, honey.”
Aria sighs and stares after her man. “The life of a medical professional.”
“So honorable though,” I say.
Glass shatters in the background, and people holler. I flinch, but the girls drag me to the bar before I can look.
Two shot glasses slide in front of me.
“Here’s to new friendships and kick-ass lives,” Aria says, cheeks flushed under the neon lights.
She frowns, then pouts in my direction. “Ugh. And parents who don’t think you’re trash.”
I blink. “Shit. That bad?”
Scarlett leans over and whispers, “Blake’s parents are snobs. They want him to marry a doctor.”
I shudder. I know that type.
Aria groans. “And I’m stuck dealing with them for the rest of my life.” Aria bangs her head against the bar top.
The sound jolts through my chest, then morphs into something else entirely.
The walls rattle as the front door slams shut.
“You can’t be with her, Kian. She’s an Anderson.”
“Mom, stop it. She’s here. She can hear you.” Kian’s voice spikes with agitation.
I curl into a ball, not understanding why Mrs. Leste hates me. Am I not good enough for him?
The question still echoes, but I won’t ever know the answer.
“How many did you have? You’re bright red.” Scarlett pokes Aria. “You’re getting a detox tea tomorrow.”
“Screw tomorrow! I’m forgetting my troubles tonight. Cheers, girls!” Aria sits back up, nodding to the music.
I raise my glass and down the shot of vodka, pretending the burn isn’t from a memory I should’ve long forgotten.
Then we down one more shot. My body is pleasantly warm, my mind feathering at the edges. I reach for another drink.
“Easy there. I got you something else.” Scarlett slides over a shot glass with amber liquid.
I sip it. Sweet, refreshing. Non-alcoholic. A calming warmth floats through my veins. “You’re a magician.”
