My triumph faded quickly when my cream sweater dress not only failed to fight off the cold October air, but also made me look severely underdressed to the suits and cocktail dresses before me.
I instinctively wrap my arms around myself as we walk in. Meanwhile, Sam is wearing a fiery red cocktail dress that clings to her body with a black peacoat to fight off the creeping winter that is upon us. Her normally crimped hair is now straight in a high, tasteful ponytail. A glimpse at her gives me a mental note to allow her to dress me for the next event.
As a restaurant opening, I assumed the attire was casual, but the diamond studded necklaces and watches that are six months of paychecks scream otherwise.
Much like a lot of the city’s architecture, the building has walls of red brick with wine bottle fixtures hanging from vaulted ceilings. Despite the cold night, the outdoor patio has numerous people talking and sipping their cocktails under twinkle lights and heaters. It’s beautiful. Grander than any fancy restaurant from my hometown.
We check our coats, which I only ever thought was something that happened in movies, and make our way into the chattering crowds.
After living in such a small town, where our world seemed so small, I sometimes feel this version of my life is a dream. And I’ve just barely dipped my toe into it.
I stare into the crowd as memories wrap around my throat, taking hold of me and all my attention. Most nights I wake in a panic, thinking all this time I’ve been asleep, and I’ll wake withRyan still next to me. Then I spend the rest of the night having to touch everything in my apartment to assure myself it’s real.
Bringing me back to reality, I feel Sam’s arm link through mine as she guides us through the masses of people. “I think Tyler and the rest are here already.”
I already know because I feel it.I feel him. It’s an indescribable, yet palpable sensation. My gaze is pulled to the patio where he stands, talking to a group of business partners. As we approach the patio to greet him, Sam is pulled by a man dazzling over her outfit.
I feel a drink get placed in my hand by Sam as she continues to entertain him. She introduces us, but it all feels like background noise to the beautiful outfit he wears of sequins and glitter.
I soon forget his name as my eyes trail back to where Tyler still stands, engaging in conversation. The businessman in him at the forefront while the Tyler I know isn’t even an echo in existence.
A woman approaches from the crowds with a red lipped smile that matches her nails, and bleach blonde hair that looks too good for the color of blonde she is. She is practically a life size barbie. Stunning, with no flaws that the human eye can point out even if they try.
As she nears Tyler’s side, she reaches her arms to him, slithering up his bicep and clutching him as she rests her head on his shoulder. I stare blankly, trying to decipher between the feelings that are fighting one another inside me, and why I’m allowing myself to feel them in the first place.
He looks unbothered, save for the slight flex in his jaw. She laughs, throwing her head back, baring perfect teeth, which was expected, and then continues her roaming hands on his body casually.
A primal rage sparks in my chest, ready to ignite. That festering flame warming as it flickers, getting bigger with eachbeat of my heart. A yank happens in my chest, something that feels so visceral. Tyler looks at me as soon as I feel it, almost like he feels it, too.
That invisible string.
When we lock eyes, it’s almost like I can see it. That palpable thing I can’t quite discern, manifesting into something just for us. Something only we can understand as we stare at one another from across the venue.
A smirk pulls his lips slowly. He keeps his eyes locked on me while he takes a sip of his drink, despite the fact the barbie and the men surrounding him are vying for his attention.
I arch a brow with a tilt of my head. His grin grows wider. The heat of his stare has my toes curling, but I don’t break it. I hold those emeralds, determined to break down the man who screams predator to show I’m not afraid.
I won’t let you win.
His smile only grows more, curving that scar that goes through his lips.And I like it. I like that his attention is stuck on me despite the fact everyone else is desperate for it.
He cheers his drink to me, but I don’t exchange the offer as I hold his stare. A laugh sounds from him, only egging on the desperation of the barbie for his attention. Her red nails run up the lapels of his suit and then around his neck. And yet, he is still watchingme.
When that doesn’t snag his attention, her red nails sink into the skin of his cheek, forcing his head in her direction.
I grip my glass tighter as the fire that settles inside my chest rages to an inferno. It’s when he looks down at her withdisinterest, I almost feel relief. I don’t know why. Maybe I don’t like the idea of him liking someone like that. Maybe I don’t like the idea of him liking anyone at all. No matter, I finally pull my eyes away.
“Fuck. Shelby is here,” Sam says next to me.
“Shelby?” I ask, the name sounding distantly familiar.
“Her father is the governor. So naturally, our parents had to pawn Tyler off to wed her so they could place their foot deeper in the political realm. He hasn’t actually done it yet. I think he is prolonging the inevitable, or he is formulating some sort of plan to get out of it. The parents gave him until thirty years old.”
“What happens then?” I ask.
“I have no clue, but I also really don’t want to find out,” she says, eyes wide and off somewhere that isn’t here.
“They can’t do that. I mean, it’s the twenty-first century.”
