Sid shuffles from foot to foot uncomfortably, offering only a smile in response.
“I believe you both know my date.”
But Lauren doesn’t answer; her eyes are on the red lipstick stain on my neck. I don’t give a shit that she’s here or with him, but I am confused since they’ve only met once at the office.
It’s not my business, and I intend to keep it that way, although it may be a conflict of interest since she works so closely with me and Isaac is a direct competitor.
“How does it feel to finally be public?” Isaac asks.
“It's been a long time coming,” I reply, pulling Sidney closer.
He grins, “Sure has. No one stood a chance, did they?” I can’t tell who he is asking, but Sidney is the one who replies.
“No.”
He chuckles, “Have a good evening.” He turns Lauren away and toward another couple, so we continue up the stairs and into the building, accepting the champagne as we enter.
“That doesn’t feel right,” Sidney shivers at my side.
“I’ll deal with it on Monday.”
Sid rolls her lips and looks away, but I don’t get a chance to ask her what’s going on when a loud, feminine voice calls her name. We both whip our heads toward the sound, seeing a blonde in a flowing white dress rush toward us. Behind her, a towering guy follows, hot on her heels with his eyes trained on the back of her head.
“Thea?!” Sidney’s shocked voice rushes out of her when Thea hugs her tightly, squeezing all the air out of her lungs.
“I amsohappy you’re here. I don’t know anyone else!”
Thea looks at me, “You must be Noah. Hi! I’m Thea or Stella, whichever you prefer.”
“Stella’s a stage name, right?” I shake her hand.
“Right,” she nods as the guy who had been following stops behind her, standing at least a foot and a half above her. He’s huge.
I’ve had plenty of scraps in my life, from a kid to college and later in clubs and bars I went to with Sid andwouldn’t shy away from one now, but maybe I’d consider walking in the opposite direction if it came to this guy.
“Thea it is then,” I smile.
“This is Tripp,” she hikes her thumb over her shoulder, “He mostly communicates in grunts and growls, so don’t expect too much from him.”
Tripp rolls his eyes and offers his hand to shake. The grip is enough to confirm that I woulddefinitelywalk in the other direction.
“I didn’t realize you’d be here,” Sidney says as Thea links her arm with hers, pulling her out of my reach. I fall into step behind the two of them with Tripp beside me.
“Manager wanted me to attend since we were in the city. Since Isaac was here, I figured it wouldn’t be so bad, but he’s off schmoozing and Jared disappeared the moment we stepped inside, so I’ve just kind of been loitering.”
“Well, you have Tripp,” Sid says.
“Grunts and growls.” Thea looks back toward him, her eyes dipping down his body once before her cheeks turn a little red and she returns her attention to Sid, who laughs and pats her hand.
They head for the bar at the back of the venue, weaving through the crowd, but I get collared by an investor, stopping me in my tracks. Shit.
They speak at me, but my eyes are on the crowd where she disappeared, though I can’t see her anymore. I look for the big guy, but I don’t see him either.
She’s not alone, I tell myself. She’s safe.
I entertain the guy for ten or so minutes but excuse myself halfway through the conversation. When we first started coming to these things, we vowed to never leave the other alone for too long, knowing some people here aren’t the safest to be around. I’m not about to throw her to the sharks now.
I find Thea with Tripp standing close at the bar, probably too close for a bodyguard and charge, but I keep that to myself, though Sidney isn’t with them.
