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CHAPTERSIX
Ifind a little powder puff in my purse, so I take some time to freshen up before making my way outside again. I should imagine Eli will send a search party soon if I don’t come back out. My head is starting to pound a little more, but I ignore it, determined not to have it ruin Eli’s night. My eyes scan the room trying to find him, but at first I don’t quite spot him. I head for the bar, ordering myself some more water. Maybe that will help ease my headache. As I sit myself on one of the stools, my eyes eventually find Eli. At first, I wonder if I should go to him, but I see he’s surrounded by people, all hooked on his every word. He says something and everyone around him laughs, making me smile. I will leave him be. When he wants me, he’ll come find me.
“Looking as stunning as ever.”
Jumping at the sound of a deep voice, my head turns to a man I recognize, but for the life of me, I can’t figure out how. Classically tall, dark, and handsome, the man in his early thirties approaches me with a confident swagger that borders on cocky. He’s extremely handsome, but I have a feeling he already knows this. If it’s not the cocky smirk that gives it away, it’s the way his green emerald eyes dance with a kind of mischief that seems all too familiar for my liking.
I know him. I just can’t remember him.
“Thank you,” I simply reply, making him stop in his tracks, a questioning eyebrow peaking high above his lashes. I’m guessing that wasn’t quite the answer he was expecting.
With more confidence than ever, this guy takes it upon himself to sit on the stool which is intimately next to me. So intimately, in fact, that when he does sit down our kneecaps brush against each other.
He settles on the stool, leaning over so that he can whisper something close to my ear. “I was hoping to see you here tonight.”
I frown at that. “Why wouldn’t I be?” I question. “It’s my husband’s movie opening.”
A slight chuckle leaves his lips, his gaze landing on my drink. “Is that… water you’re drinking?”
Wow, this man seems like a right asshole.
“Yes, and what of it?”
My sharp words have his head spinning back in my direction. “No wonder you’re being extra bitchy tonight. Normally you would be on your third vodka by now and snorting the powdered stuff.”
I don’t let it show that those words affect me, but they do. That would be me…? On a normal night…?
“Don’t look so pissed, babes, let me order you the proper stuff.”
I don’t react at first, but when his hand shoots up, trying to alert the barman, I shout, “No.” His arm slowly comes down, his face skeptical. “Thank you, but I’m fine with my water.”
“Wow, he really has changed you, hasn’t he? Normally by now you’d be inviting me to meet you in a more… private environment.”
My eyes widen in shock. What is he saying? “I… I don’t understand what you…”
I don’t get to finish my sentence, because right now this guy is too busy staring at something, or someone else. I close my mouth, glancing in his direction. Eli is standing five or so feet away from us, his features fuming. I notice some others glancing our way too, a couple even shaking their heads in disgust.
What have I done?
“How in the hell did you manage to get in here?” Eli snarls at the stranger. The douche is about to answer, but Eli interrupts him. “Never mind. I really don’t care to know.” His glare then turns to me. “I’m going home. If you want to follow me, I’ll be waiting in the car.”
Before I can even answer, he’s sharply turning and walking away from us towards the exit. It’s only then I realize how intimate we must have looked together with our bodies facing one another, our kneecaps practically touching. This strange, handsome man leaning over to talk with me.
I snap my head to this guy to find he has a smirk on his face. My lips form into a hard line. Eli’s anger has obviously amused this asshole.
As quick as I can, I’m up out of my seat, grabbing my purse along the way. The man’s arm shoots out in an attempt to grab mine, but I’m too fast. I race towards the exit, but not before I hear whispers of people condemning me for my actions just now.
“How could she, on this night of all nights?”
“Why can’t she realize what a good thing she has with Eli?”
“Once a bitch, always a bitch.”
Tears begin to sting my eyes. What action was it tonight that has warranted such a backlash? I don’t know who the hell that was I was talking to, but we were only talking.
And I thought tonight was going so well until now.
I make my way downstairs and toward the waiting car, where the driver springs into action to open the door for me. I sink into my seat, noticing Eli on the other end, his head facing outside, his arm resting at the rim of the window. The door closing makes me jump, but I don’t turn to look. I keep my eyes firmly fixed on Eli, waiting for him to say something… anything.
