Page 254 of The Heart You Kept

“Him.” Edward’s eyes nearly bulge from the sockets. “Out of all the people in the world…. He is who you choose?”

“Yeah.” I throw up my hands. “Helene is away and Thomas is friendly, he gets on well with both men and women. He knows these type of women like the back of his hand, but most of all, he has my back.”

“Oh, I’m sure he does, your back isn’t all he wants.”

“With all due respect.” Thomas interrupts. “Alora and I are just friends. There is no way in hell I would risk getting killed for her.”

Edward narrows his eyes at Thomas. “Wise.”

“But seriously, you’re a little over the top, am I right?” Thomas replies.

“Over the fucking top,” Edward fires back. “I’ll tell you what’s over the fucking top. You thinking that a male escort is coming to a party with me and my girl as I introduce her to the world.”

“He can be my cousin.” I try to think on my feet.

“Your cousin?” Edward fumes.

“Yeah, good idea,” Thomas replies. “This way I can innocently come and blend in but then disappear when you two are spending time together. But if you need me to step up and talk to either men or women, I can do that too.”

“No.” Edward straightens his cufflinks.

Time to bring out the big guns.

“Edward, I’m not coming unless you let me bring him.” I put my hands on my hips.

“Why are you intent on ruining our night?” Edward barks.

“Because I need backup and I know I only have one friend who can hold his own at a party like this.”

Edward’s eyes meet Thomas’s and I can see his brain ticking.

“Completely innocent, I swear.” Thomas holds his hands up. “If you want me to leave at any time you just have to say the word.”

Edward runs the backs of his fingers through his stubble as he thinks and I can feel his fury, simmering dangerously close to the surface.

“What about if he just came for an hour.” I try to sweeten the deal. “Until I’m comfortable and then he can go.”

“I don’t like this,” Edward replies.

I slide my arms around him and go up on my toes to kiss him. “I know, but you’ll do it for me.”

“Alora,” he sighs with an eye roll, and I know that I’ve won.

He turns to Thomas. “You even look at her the wrong way and I will kill you with a smile on my face.”

“Well…. That’s great.” Thomas widens his eyes at me and I bubble up a giggle.

Poor Thomas.

“Are we going to have a drink before we leave?” I try to lighten the mood.

“I don’t know, am I allowed to drink?” Thomas teases.

“No,” Edward snaps. “You are not.”

Have you ever had a moment in your life that is so surreal that it just doesn’t seem real?

I’m in one, right now.