Bouncing on the balls of her feet, she practically trembled with excitement. “I just got an invite to the most exclusive frat party. Likethemost exclusive fraternity at the University of Pennsylvania.”
Mollie was the life of the party. It was what had drawn me to her the first time we’d met. I’d been so sheltered that being Mollie’s roommates opened my eyes to a whole new world. If there was a party on campus, Mollie not only knew about it, but she’d scored an invitation.
Since she didn’t come from a wealthy family, she had a double major in art history and finding a rich husband. She kept hope that with every frat party she stumbled into, Mr. Wealthy Right would be there.
But tonight, her enthusiasm was grating considering my emotional turmoil. Pulling the covers over me, I mused, “I’m notsure ‘exclusive’ and ‘frat party’ actually go together in the same sentence.”
With a toss of her strawberry blonde hair over her shoulder, she countered, “Trust me, this one has a code.”
“Sounds sketchy.”
“It’s just to keep the undesirables out.” She wagged her brows while gesturing between the two of us. “And you and I are the desirables.”
I shook my head. “Count me out.”
Rolling her eyes, Mollie countered, “Oh hell no. You’ve been a total party pooper the last couple of weeks.”
You would be too if you were in love with one man but being forced to marry his brother.
Since she was an outsider, Mollie didn’t know anything about my arranged marriage. She just knew I came from a strict upbringing, which is why I liked to rebel from time to time at frat parties.
She grabbed me by the shoulders. “I need you to really listen to me, Drea. We’re not talking about the usual dusty musty crowd. We’re talking University of Pennsylvania football players.”
“Is that supposed to do something for me?”
Mollie huffed out a frustrated breath. “You’re impossible if ivy league football players aren’t impressing you.”
“Just because they’re Ivy league, are they not as douchey as the ones around here?”
Placing her hands on her ears, Mollie said, “La, la, la, I’m not not listening to you.”
I laughed. “You go and have a good time for the both of us.”
“Fine,” she muttered before she stomped into the bathroom.
Reaching over, I picked up my phone from the floor. After punching in my code, a jolt went through me when Leo’s picture once again flashed before my eyes.
Leo andHarper’spicture.
Despite my better judgement, I started going through the other pictures of them. They really did look good together. While she certainly seemed crazier about him, he gave her adoring looks in several of the pictures.
At least now you don’t have to worry about Leo having feelings for you. He’s obviously moved on. Maybe you can have a double wedding.
As a storm of emotions swirled within my chest, I fought to breathe. Even though Leo could never be mine, it hurt like hell to see him happy with another. To know that whatever had been between us was just one-sided.
Rising off the bed, I staggered around for a moment. The walls of the room began to close in on me. I had to get out of here.
I had to forget about Leo.
After crossing the room, I knocked on the bathroom door. “Yeah?” Mollie called.
“I, uh…”
I swallowed hard. Everything within me screamed that what I was about to do was too dangerous in my emotional state. That there were other ways to try to free myself of Leo’s hold than hooking up with some random stranger.
But I didn’t listen to the voices of reason. I listened to my broken heart and my rebellious spirit. If Leo didn’t want me, some other man would.
Drawing my shoulders back, I pronounced, “Open up. I’m coming with you.”
