“Absolutely.”
“Who’s her date, some smarmy heir?”
“No, actually. He’s the CFO of the company. I think he’s the first person from his family to graduate college. And I’ve only met him twice, but he seemed like a decent person.”
“He must have a hidden Mr. Hyde side if he’s dating her.”
“Probably chews really loud,” Stella said.
“Wears moisturizing gloves to bed.”
“Collects antique dolls.”
“Is secretly apearvert.”
Stella laughed, a bright, infectious sound I hadn’t heard before that had me turning my head. She noticed my regard and lifted her eyes, and we slowed to a stop right there in the middle of the crowd.
Shit. I didn’t hate her at all. But I also wasn’t ready to examine how Iactuallyfelt, so instead, I nodded behind her. “Hey, look. You match.”
She glanced over her shoulder at the nearest dinosaur. It was about six feet tall, with mottled gray-black skin and raised, bony bumps along its forehead and nose in almost the exact same places as her piercings.
Her eyes narrowed to slits as she swiveled back to me. “You’re such a dick.”
“Wait, I want to take a picture.” I pulled out my phone. “Say, ‘Twinning!’”
“I hate you,” she said, striding away, and even though the comment was flippant, the words stung.
I rushed to catch up with her, sliding an arm around her waist because I couldn’t help myself, and because it might be one of my last chances. “You know what they say about love and hate being two sides of the same coin.”
“I know whoever actually believes that is an idiot.”
I dropped my voice. “Big words from the woman who screamed my name when she came.”
She made a horrified sound.
My grin felt maniacal. “Didn’t realize you’d done that, did you?”
“Because Ididn’t,” she insisted. “I said, ‘Oh, god.’”
“I thought God was the nickname you picked for me.”
“You aresoconceited.”
“Am I?” I sent her a knowing look. “Or is it time you finally admit my self-confidence is warranted?”
She broke eye contact, her gaze sweeping the room like she was searching for a lifeline. “Oh, look! My parents. And Richard is with them.”
It felt like she’d dumped a bucket of ice water over my head. Fuck, I didn’t want to see that asshole yet.
She tugged my arm, practically dragging me across the room. We rounded a small group chatting near a stegosaurus, and there he was, standing right between Georgie and Phil, a drink in his hand and a wide smile on his face, like he didn’t have a care in the world. The sight made me want to roar like one of these fucking dinosaurs, made me want to grab the glass out of his hand and smash it over his head.
I thought it’d get easier, seeing him, but it had only gotten harder to hide my hatred.
Phil caught sight of us. “Theo,” he said, his smile warm and welcoming. “So glad you were able to make it.”
I greeted the trio, Richard stepping forward last, his hand extended.
“Nice to see you again, Theo,” he said, grinning like he meant it.
