Page 49 of Dream On, Liar

“You know it’s not nice to make someone wait?”

I raised a brow. “You want me to ditch them?”

“I’m just asking you to choose,” She replied, pulling me in for another kiss that spun my world around.

Fuck. I loved kissing her.

She lingered when she finally pulled away, her lips brushing mine one last time before leaving me chasing the warmth she'd stolen.

"Fuck... okay," I murmured with a reluctant smile. "Let me just buy the bottle for them and get one of the servers to take it over."

She nodded, a grin plastered over her stunning face, as I shook my head once to wave down the bartender.

I had barely placed the order before I felt her fingers curl around my bicep. Holding up a finger for the guy, I glanced back. “You okay?”

Biting down her lower lip, she shrugged. “You can go and give them yourself.”

“What’s wrong?”

She tilted her head in the opposite direction. Following her gaze, I spotted the brunette from earlier wearing an expected look from across the room.

Turning back to Maeve, I lifted a brow. “I thought it was rude to make someone wait.”

A grin spread across her face.

“Yeah,” she said with a shrug, “Only, you won’t be waiting; you handle your stuff, while I make sure she’s fine.”

Hoping off the stool, she leaned up on her tip toes to reach my ear. “Plus, it’s chicks before dicks.”

A laugh escaped me before I could stop it. “I don't think I can argue with that.”

“You definitely can't.” Pressing a kiss on my cheek, she gave me one last smile before weaving through the crowd toward her friend. I watched her go, unable to stop myself, the burgundy bow disappearing between clusters of people until she reached the brunette and looped an arm through hers.

Only then did I turn back to the bar, and paid for the bottles.

Grabbing the bucket he’d placed, I thanked the bar tender before turning around and walking straight into someone.

"Watch where you're..."

The words died on my tongue as their eyes connected with mine.

Of all the people to run into.

“Axel.”

Just my fucking luck.

He wore the same easy grin that had irritated me since I was a kid, as though the years hadn't done a thing to dull it. As a kid, I’d been jealous of the guy who’d become best friends with my brother, as an adult, I’d become jealous of his relationship with my sister. I hated losing, and somehow in the game of life, Axel Beauman had always been able to pull one over me.

“Rihaan.” His gaze flicked over my shoulder before returning to me. “Didn't think I'd find you here.”

“Great. Let’s pretend you didn’t.”

I stepped to the side, intending to walk past him, but he shifted with me.

“But now that I have. Give me a minute.”

I rolled my eyes. “You've already had thirty seconds too many.”