Chris froze. For a second, the chaos around us faded away. My heart slammed against my ribs, the noise of the club dulling into a weird, distant hum. His eyes held me there like they always fucking did, pulling me in. I felt like screaming to get away. Anna’s lips slid down his neck, her hands moving confidently like she’d done this a thousand times before. Then she turned her attention to the other girl, giggling and touching her. Chris looked torn, as if he was debating his next move.
Move, Jules. Fucking move!
I broke the connection, spinning on my heel and heading for the bathroom like my life depended on it. Maybe it did. I quickened my steps until I was practically running. My chest felt tight, my stomach still turning. Was I going to puke?Shit. Run.
When I reached the bathroom, I went straight to the sink, holding the edges so hard my knuckles turned white. The cold water hit my face in sharp splashes as I washed away…everything.The tequila and my anger, mostly.
When I looked up, my reflection stared back at me, blurry and distorted through the droplets on the mirror. For a moment, I didn’t see myself; I sawher.The dream Jules. She was confident, radiant, glowing like she had all the answers I didn’t. Her smile mocked me, her eyes filled with a smugness I couldn’t stand.
Fuck her.
“Get out,” I muttered under my breath, but her image wouldn’t budge.
The anger flared hot in my chest. I grabbed another handful of water and threw it at the mirror. The droplets splattered across the surface, distorting her face further until she was almost gone. I leaned forward, pressing my forehead against the cool glass, trying to calm the storm inside me. I closed my eyes for a second.
You are not her. You will never be her.
The image in the mirror finally disappeared, leaving just me.
Hi, you.
I stared at my reflection, taking in the puffiness under my eyes, the redness around them, and the smudge of mascara. The creak of the door startled me, and through the mirror I could see Chris leaning against the doorframe, a smug look plastered across his stupid, perfect face.
Asshole.
“This is the women’s bathroom,” I stated.
He laughed, the sound low and mocking. His eyes scanned my whole body—lingering on my very exposed thighs—before flicking back to meet mine. “You look good.”
“And you look drunk,” I shot back, narrowing my eyes.
“Iamdrunk,” he declared like it was some kind of achievement.
“Nice chat,” I muttered, grabbing paper towels to dry my face. My eyes flicked to the mirror. Shit. I’d made a mess. Smudged water and droplets were everywhere. I sighed and used the same paper to wipe it down.
I turned to leave, but before I could, Chris stepped into my path, blocking me. His cologne hit me first, mingling with the sharp scent of whiskey. My body betrayed me, reacting instantly, and the tequila in my system amplified every sensation.
Stop. Focus. Get out of here.
“What do you want?” I demanded, glaring up at him, my patience running thin.
“Really? Nothing? No reaction?”
“To what exactly?” I asked, crossing my arms, doing my best to look like I didn’t care. Like I wasn’t still furious. Like I didn’t want to slap that stupid smirk off his face.
“Aren’t you, like, a little mad?” he pressed, leaning closer. The door closed behind him.
“Why would I be mad?” My tone was icy, but inside, I was fuckingraging.Furious wasn’t even the word. If I’d had one more shot, I probablywould’veslapped him by now.
“I guess not, then…” he muttered. Before I could fire back, the door swung open. A girl peeked in, only to be met with Chris barking, “Get out!” She immediately closed the door, and we were alone again.
So classy, Chris. Always a gentleman.
“I have to get back,” I said, trying to move past him, but he stepped in my way again.
“You could join us, you know?” he suggested.
“What?” I stopped, incredulous.
