Shit.
I have nothing.
“Hi.” She gives me a forced smile.
What do I do for the love of God?
“May I?” I lift the cup.
She nods.
“Gin and tonic,” she says, her voice cold, controlled.
Her dress is held just by thin straps on her shoulders and her skin looks so soft, tanned, golden. Long black lashes cover her chocolate eyes. She has that caring gaze, even now when she’s trying to shut me out.
I sneak another glance at her as I fill her cup with ice. Her lips press into the slightest pout—something she apparently does when she’s angry.
Too fucking tempting.
I mix the drink and hand it to her, forcing a small smile. She smiles back but not the way that melts me into my car seat. This is also melting my insides but in the most painful way.
She grabs it and walks around me, disappearing in the crowd of people.
That didn’t go well.
I drag a hand through my hair, scanning the room for her again. She’s with Natalya by the billiard table, surrounded by those jocks.
This is a nightmare.
I need Adrien to tell me what to do, but he’s somewhere in the garden, apparently too good for this party and downing a bottle of liquor. I don’t blame him. I’d love to do the same.
But I’ve got something way more important to lose my mind over tonight.
Another half an hour stretches out.
Kiara is sitting on the huge rounded sofa in the middle of the pool house, surrounded by people, girls on each side of her, thankfully, but guys everywhere around. I keep watching her like a fucking creep, resting my shoulder on the wall with my legs crossed at the ankles. Every now and then, some friends of my sister come to talk to me, then they usually leave when I don’t participate in normal social activities, such as talking.
The music isn’t playing that loud, so I hear most of the muffled discussion happening on that couch.
They’re basically just arguing about what they’re going to play for the last fifteen minutes. I ignore that and try to focus on Kiara instead. Her voice is quieter than the others. I can’t catch her words.
Then Natalya shouts to everyone.
“Okay, let’s play finally!”
Natalya gets up and clears the table, then grabs an empty bottle of beer.
Jesus, is she actually twelve? They are not going to play this stupidity, are they?
She sits back on the couch while the music starts blasting louder from the speakers and I don’t hear anything anymore. They all take a jello shot from the table, including Kiara.
Some girl spins the bottle while others are sipping from their cups, Kiara sitting with her legs crossed, looking like someone too beautiful for this party, chatting with the girl next to her.
She doesn’t seem like she’s minding the game. She’s not playing.
Good.
Some people get up and go to the pool house bathroom from time to time to make out, but my girl still sits there and chats with others, laughing and looking fucking irresistible.
