We both hopped into the car, and Hazel drove with her music on. She sang along, and I cracked a smile seeing how happy she was. I could see the difference over the past weeks. She smiled more, joked even.
We pulled up to the restaurant and headed inside. Jade was standing, talking with the owner, trying to explain where she wanted some balloons.
She turned, and her eyes stopped on us. “Hey!” She pulled her hand, pointing at us. “And damn! You both look stunning. And Gabriella, you have boobs.”
I rolled my eyes. “Do you want help or not?”
“Oh god, yes, please.” She walked over, pulling us into a hug. “I need someone to put up the streamers. People are going to be arriving in ten minutes.”
Hazel and I helped set up, and twenty minutes later, the party was in full swing.
Jade had rented out the entire building. There were birthday balloons everywhere and streamers hanging from the ceiling. The place was packed with people walking around and talking. There was even a kids’ corner for the kids, including Ilsa, who was wearing a long pink dress and was over the moon about her father’s birthday.
Hazel and I sat at a table, talking with Nora. Jade and Brandon were making their rounds, talking with everyone who came.
“This place turned out really nice,” Nora said, taking a sip of her wine.
“It did. I didn’t realize how big this place was till now,” I admitted.
“Oh, I see, Kaleb is here.” Nora gave us a smile before getting up and hurrying over to her husband.
“Speaking of husbands, where is yours?” Hazel asked, moving closer to me.
I didn’t know, but I was trying not to let it bother me. I had been looking at the door each time it opened. I didn’t expect him to come so late since he was a good friend of Brandon. I took a sip of my wine, hoping the alcohol would help calm my nerves.
I froze when I heard the door open and spotted Kyle and Veronica stepping into the restaurant. I nearly choked on my drink as Veronica smiled sweetly at Jade, saying something that made her laugh.
“Oh, Jesus,” Hazel said, tapping her hand onto the table. “I didn’t realize that Jade was friends with Veronica.”
“Because she’s the Alpha’s wife. She knows everyone,” I said, with a shrug. I watched the way that Veronica spoke with Jade. Kyle had his arm wrapped around her, making them look like a perfect couple.
“Like two vipers entering into a den,” Hazel grunted. “I need another drink for this.”
She got out of her seat and headed for the bar. I took a long sip of my drink and looked away from them. I scanned theroom for Westley. Was there a back door I didn’t know about? Was he working tonight?
I looked at my phone and chewed on my cheek. Maybe I should call him.
“Well, I didn’t realize that you would be here.”
I pulled my head up and cringed as Kyla and his friend, Ivan, stood in front of me. I looked around, found the table empty, and realized I was alone with them. Shit.
I swallowed. “I’m here with Westley.”
Kyle chuckled, but not in a sweet way. “You know, I heard a rumor going around, but I don’t see him here. So, how about you just cut the shit? You aren’t really together with him. I bet he’s just being nice and taking pity on you and your sister? That would be the only reason he would even get close to you guys.”
I blinked, trying to think of what to say, but nothing came to mind. I didn’t even have a lie I could muster up because he wasn’t here, and Kyle was right.
“What did you say?”
I jumped, turning around, finding Westley standing behind me now. He was wearing jeans and a nice shirt. He had his hair combed back, and his eyes were narrowed on Kyle and Ivan.
“Westley.” I pulled myself up and swallowed. “Where have…” I didn’t get to finish before Westley stepped closer, his lips curling up slightly in a growl. “I want to make sure I heard you right before I beat the shit out of you.”
Shit. Shit. Shit.
“Westley, it’s fine.”
“No, it’s not!” he snapped. “You are my wife, and I will not have them disrespect you.”
