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“Just whatever you do, don’t sleep with him. Everything will just get complicated and messy if you do.”
I blow out a deep breath and pick up my lipstick and begin to reapply. This is the first secret I’ve ever held from Emerson.
And I know why, because in my gut I know it’s wrong, too.
“This way, ladies.” Thomas smiles as he leads us through the crowd. “Make way, gorgeous women coming through,” he calls to the crowd, and sure enough they part for us.
Emerson and I giggle. “You’re an idiot,” I whisper.
“At your service.” He smiles, flashing me a sexy wink.
We’re at the art gallery at one of Emerson’s work’s art auctions. Alastar - Em’s new man - is an artist and has some of his artwork auctioning tonight. Thomas is his brother. Apparently, he’s very talented, or so Em has heard.
I met both Thomas and Alastar on the second weekend we were here, and while Alastar—or Star for short—is quiet and broody, Thomas is the exact opposite. He’s funny and outgoing, and I laugh the whole time he is around. He’s flirty but I think he’s like that with everyone. Either way, I feel very comfortable around him.
“I have to go and see some people. Back soon,” Star says.
“Okay.” We smile.
“I’ll get us some drinks,” Thomas suggests. “What will it be?”
I frown. Hmm, what will it be? “I’ll have some Sauv Blanc, please.”
“Me, too.” Em smiles.
The room is full and buzzing. The two of us look around in awe. Men are wearing their expensive suits, and the women are dressed in their designer clothes. Everyone is milling around while the expensive art auction takes place in the background. “Wow,” I mouth to Em.
“I know. Can you believe that this is actually happening?”
“No,” I laugh. “What the hell? Look at us at a fancy art auction.”
Thomas returns with our drinks and we take a look around as we sip them.
We went to a restaurant and had dinner with the boys first, as well as way too many cocktails. Star’s art auction starts at 10:30 p.m. so we arrived just in time. In fact, we have half an hour to spare.
I’m wearing my tight black dress that hangs just below my knees. The spaghetti straps expose my shoulders, and a long string of gold beads adds a little flare, matching my gold heels and clutch bag. My hair is down and I’m wearing red lipstick. I put in a little extra effort tonight because I needed a boost. My mind is weighed down with thoughts of Julian at home, as well as what Emerson said about him when we were getting ready earlier.
She’s right about everything; I’ve made a mistake. It’s annoying that I can’t stop thinking about him and how he dismissed me with such coldness.
I feel like shit, to be honest.
Thomas says something, but I can’t hear him over the crowd. “I beg your pardon?” I can’t hear you,” I tell him.
He leans in and puts his arm around me at my waist, pulling me closer so I can hear him.
“I said… do you want to go and grab a coffee sometime next week.”
Oh.
“Like, on a date?” I ask, surprised.
He chuckles and pulls me closer to kiss my cheek. “Of course, on a date. What do you think?” I look up across the room, my eyes landing straight on the cold, hard glare of Julian Masters.
I immediately stiffen.
What the fuck?
He's standing with a group of six men, all around his age, good-looking, and each one wearing an expensive suit.
