I’m utterly transfixed as I watch her commanding the attention of the men at the table. My gut sours as I watch them hangoff her every word, eyes greedily taking her in. My breath comes in hard and rough. I have no claim over her. She’s her own woman, and she can do what she wants, what she needs. But a wild need burns under my skin, demanding I cross the room and mark her as mine. Show all the men here that they can look, but they’ll never get the woman underneath the mask.
Josh calls my attention back to the group I came with. “Say thank you to the lovely ladies, men,” he says. “Off we go to the last stop.”
Phil smacks a hand against my chest, and I somehow force my feet to follow, but now I’m more desperate than ever to figure out my trickster.
20
I practically groan with every step up the staircase, relieved to be home.
I put the cash I earned tonight in my drawer, then strip off my clothes, hurling them at the laundry hamper, and race through my rinse and revive routine in the shower. Aurora is spending the night at Ever’s, so I’m home alone, but I’m okay with being my own company. I’m used to it. And I’m thrilled my daughter is making friends here.
I pull on a pair of loose shorts, a fitted tank top, and some socks, then step out onto my balcony. My gaze darts over to Westley’s side, but his lights are off. I haven’t messaged him back after our exchange this morning. He’s probably asleep, or maybe he’s still out. I know he had his friend’s bucks party tonight. I wonder what he looks like when he’s all cleaned up. I’ve only seen him dressed for work, or when he’s dressed down at home, after a run, or sliding against me as we practise defence techniques. It doesn’t matter what he’s doing, he always looks good to me. Everything he does, everything he says, just drives that point home. I find Westleyextremelyattractive.
Is it risky that we have to keep faking that we’re in love? Or is it smart? Testing out if I could actually make a relationship work in my life. Although a problem I’ve always struggled with—and why I held myself back for so long, apart from dedicating my focus to Aurora—is that letting someone in means letting them all the way in. There are still things I’ve kept from Aurora that anypotential partner should know. They should know what they’re getting themselves into. But sometimes, it sucks raising a child on your own. I don’t have a partner to bounce things off of. To help decide what the right thing to do is. At the end of the day, it kinda gets… lonely.
I go back inside and snatch my phone from the bedside table, then return to the lounge on my balcony and bring up our text thread.
ME:
How was your night?
“My night was interesting.”
I clutch my phone to my chest with a gasp as I look over to Westley’s balcony again. My eyes adjust to the darkness, and his figure becomes clear, sitting back on his daybed.
“Jesus,” I hiss. “Why are you sitting in the dark like a weirdo?”
I see him adjust on his seat. “Was waiting for you.”
My heart is still pounding in my chest as I chuckle. “Aww, that’s both creepy and sweet.”
“I learnt something today.”
“Ohh, let me guess.” I curl my feet beneath me, propping an elbow up on the headrest. “Octopuses have three hearts?”
He smiles and shakes his head. “No.”
“Yes, they do.”
He throws his head back and laughs. “Oh my god, I believe you.”
“Oh, okay, but that’s not what you learnt, gotcha. Was it that comets smell like rotten eggs?”
West shakes his head, eyes gleaming.
“A lightning bolt is five times hotter than the sun?”
He slowly drags his thumb over his bottom lip, as if wiping away the laugh that wants to break free, but the move just proves he’s ten times hotter than any lightning bolt.
“One in eighteen people has a third nipple?”
His mouth drops this time. “Really? One in eighteen?” He crosses his hands, dismissing the question. “Never mind. Let’s forget your hidden talent for recalling facts for a second.”
“Are you sure? They might come in handy for the wedding.”
He exhales, slow and deep, before stepping over to the balcony railing, resting his thick forearms over the top, and pinning his green eyes on me. The moonlight catches him, illuminating his broad, bare chest. “I saw you at The Matchbox tonight.”
My heart sputters furiously. He saw me? I’ve never felt self-conscious about what I do, but the thought of Westley seeing me that way has me… nervous.
