She shook her head but kept her attention on my chest or the floor.
“It, uh, was not my usual song that I sing here. Actually, it was the first time I used this one,” I said.
That got her to lift her head. As she did, her scent wafted into the air in our shared space, filling my nose. I moved her soft locks behind her ear, enjoying seeing her hair down, and she leaned into my touch.
“Well, I’m glad I was here to experience that, it was beautiful.”
Her gaze met mine, and it was as if the room fell away from us and we were alone. But it didn’t last. The shouts from the crowd behind us increased as the next song started, and we were knocked back into reality.
“I’m so glad you were here for it, too.” I kissed her on the forehead and wrapped my arm around her neck, bringing her in for a hug. Keeping her in my hold, I started the walk back to our table, knowing she’d get too nervous to be away any longer.
Imagine my surprise when, as we walked back, she grabbed my hand. My insides melted as we continued our walk back to our table, to our friends.
Then the unthinkable happened.
“Hi, Chase!”
She stepped in front of me, basically throwing herself onto me. Her arms went around my neck with her mouth against my ear for her greeting. She had no idea I wasn’t alone. Maryellen was hidden behind me.
I knew the moment she saw Maryellen. Her body stiffened against mine and pulled away.
By then, Maryellen had pulled her hand from mine as she stood behind me. And even though we were no longer touching, I felt the tension.
No. It wasn’t tension. It was something much stronger than that.
It was animosity.
“Hey, Amanda, how are you? You remember Maryellen, don’t you?” I tried to make being out together as casual as possible.
Until now, I wasn’t sure Amanda knew I took Maryellen home with me the night of The Plaza party. But with the laser eyes she was giving Mare, it was obvious she did.
It was a dick move, but I had my chance with Maryellen, and I took it.
“Of course I do,” Amanda said with venom in her voice.
“Hi,” Maryellen said with a small wave. She turned toward me. “I’m gonna head back to the table with the others.”
Amanda stared her down as she walked away. And I didn’t like that, but there was also not much I could do about it. Once Amanda glanced back at me, her smile returned to flirtatious.
“So, Chase, are you two together now?”
Shit. I wish Maryellen had stayed for this question, because I was so tempted to answer it my way. I couldn’t do that to Mare, yet by not telling Amanda the truth, I was going to have her on my ass here tonight, and maybe beyond.
Fuck.
“No, Amanda, we work together. You know that. Night out with work friends, that’s all.”
The words tasted disgusting on my tongue as I said them.
I hated her response, the shimmer in her eyes as she reached out and touched my chest.
“Great! I’m gonna go find my friend and we’ll come hang for a bit. Where’s your table?”
I gestured with my hand in the general direction where we were, hoping in this crowd she never found us. The place wasn’t that big, so I knew she could.
Once I made it back to our table, I noticed Maryellen was sitting alone.
“Where are Mitch and Evie?” I asked.
