He leaves me with a small smile, and suddenly I wish it could be just the two of us again.
… a woman I’ve been thinking about all week, someone I’ve been craving since the first time I laid eyes on her. His words whirl around in my mind, playful, teasing.
“There you are,” Cassie exclaims. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Where were you?”
“I wasn’t gone that long,” I point out. “Why were you looking for me?”
“You gotta come over.” She grabs my hand and pulls me to the living room. “Colton’s cat is so smart. He’s been doing the coolest tricks.”
I sit next to her on the sofa, and watch as the cat gives high-fives all around. When it’s my turn, I squeal a little despite myself. He’s just so adorable.
“What else can he do?” I ask, feeling as if I’ve missed out on the show.
Cassie sits up taller. “Let’s show her the hula hoop trick.”
Annabelle grabs the tiny hula hoop. “Watch this.”
She stretches out her hand and holds the hoop over the coffee table, which has been completely cleared off. “Jump, Athos,” she yells, and the cat jumps right through the hoop. She then gives him a treat. It’s pretty astonishing to see.
“Check this out,” she says, and I keep my eyes peeled.
“Stand,” she says, and Athos stands straighter than I thought a cat ever could.
“Yoga pose,” she barks, and Athos shoots his arms straight out. Well, now I’ve seen it all.
“Isn’t he fabulous?” the redhead gushes. “I just love him.”
“I’m kind of partial to Aramis,” I tell her. “She and I are besties.”
“Oh…” She waves a hand. “Aramis loves everyone. She’s the most social one of the three.”
My heart sinks. I really thought Aramis and I had something special going. Perhaps it’s the same thing with Colton. I reach for my glass of wine, and realize I have no clue where it has gone, or if I ever polished it off. All I remember was that it wore a purple flower charm. I set out to look for it. It seems I’m spending the night searching for things. And where the hell is my phone?
“Well, ladies,” Colton says. “I hate to say it but I’m afraid the evening has come to an end.”
Sighs and moans fill the room. The ladies aren’t happy. Colton is the one who calls the shots of course, and when he utters those words, the party is officially over.
I experience a moment of déja-vu. The scene is exactly as it was the last time. My heart kicks into overdrive, knowing this is the moment when Colton chooses who will have the privilege of staying with him a little longer. This angers me so. He is such a fucking player. Up until now, this whole party has been a relatively classy evening; good food and music, drinks and edibles, innocent fun and games. But then, Mr. Casanova always chooses a lucky girl to fuck. I think I just might throw something.
Everyone busies themselves searching for their purses and shoes, grabbing jackets from the coat room. Some linger, and some are desperate to get going, resigned to the fact that they haven’t been chosen.
“I guess it’s time to go… the shuttle bus won’t wait forever.” Cassie says, holding her purse and heels. “This was a blast.”
Colton surprises us just then. “Did you two have a good time?”
Cassie is all smiles. “We had a great time. Thank you so much for having us.”
“The pleasure was all mine,” he says, as charming as ever. His eyes lock on her for a beat, and it doesn’t go unnoticed by me.
“Actually,” he says. “I was wondering if I could speak to you alone, Cassie.”
Her eyes widen, and I can practically see her nipples perk. She’s thrilled. Surprised, but definitely giddy. “Sure… yes… of course.” She follows him eagerly, and I wonder where he’s taking her.
My heart is shattered. I knew this would happen.
