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His date lifted from her table while Ispelled out for him what Ithought should’ve been clear already. Igestured to her with my hand to come over, my way out of this unprofessional and too long of aconversation.
“Idon’tremember taking your photo this evening,” Isaid as she approached us. “Would you like to take apicture together?”
Zach’seyes widened and his mouth snapped shut, forming athin white line.
He said nothing as she appeared at his side, beaming at him and then at me.
“You’re right, we haven’ttaken one yet. Thank you for reminding us.” She gazed at him, feeding the acidic feeling in my gut. “It would be alovely memory, don’tyou think?”
She seemed like anice person, and it felt wrong to put her in the middle of this silent argument we were engaged in. However, Iwasn’tthe one who brought her here and there were only so many ways to tell him asking me to dance was wrong because of her, without explicitly saying it.
Because once Ispelled it out, actually said Iminded seeing him here with another woman, the sting and the humiliation Ifelt would be on display in front of my clients and future clients. It would’ve stained my impeccable reputation. Calling her over was for the best.
“Yes, it would, Val,” he gritted out.
“Smile,” Icalled out.
Val did so gladly, clinging to Zach. His mouth remained lowered to afrown as he glared at me. Itook the picture anyway.
Excusing myself to go to the restroom, Iheaded straight across the room. It wasn’tan excuse to get away, more like astroke of luck that my bladder was nearly exploding after three photos of Zach and his date, er, Val.
Ifinished my business in arush, concentrating on pulling up my pants and zipping them up quickly. Lost in thought about getting back to the party without missing too many good shots, Ineglected to pay attention to what was around me. Like apair of men’sbrown leather shoes in the gap under the restroom stall’sdoor. Or if Isomehow missed that, Ifor sure would have seen Zach’slooming figure as Iswung the door open.
In fact, I’dbeen so focused on moving forward that the momentum had me crashing into his hard-rock chest when Ihurried straight ahead. Before Imanaged to steady myself, Zach gripped my shoulders and strode forward, caging me between him and the stall.
“Zach.” My hands failed in their attempts to fend him off. “Someone might come in. It’snot funny.”
“Does it look like I’mtrying to be funny?” He lowered himself to my eye level. “You act like we’re strangers. Is it Val?”
“She’snot the issue.”
“Then?”
“It’syou. You lied to me,” Iwhisper-shouted. “Why didn’tyou tell me you were seeing someone?”
Zach’sloud intake of breath blared in the deafening silence of the restroom. Asilence that said everything Ineeded to know.
“Let me go.” Ishoved myself against him again.
His eyes darkened, stormy, smoldering skies boring holes into me. He stilled himself from my advances to push past him, seizing my wrists and gripping the back of my neck with his free hand. Zach’sravenous lips thrashed into mine, kissing me with such force that it sucked all the air from my lungs.
My traitorous hands pulled instead of pushed, restless in their search to get ahold of him. His cologne intoxicated me, his rough grip and his tongue sweeping over mine were everything Iwanted at that moment. His hungry teeth bit down on my lip and the pain, although filled with pleasure, served as the wakeup call Ineeded.
Val waited for him, for her date not too far from where we were making out. Icraved him unlike any other lover Ihad before, but Icouldn’tdo it at another person’sexpense.
With the meager amount of strength Icould muster, Idistanced myself from the body I’dgrown so used to, sidled under his arm, and left the restroom. Itightened my ponytail, straightened my blouse, lifted my chin, and strode back into the main hall.
The next time Zach came into view was moments later. He walked briskly toward the exit, adeep scowl marring his face with Val trailing close behind.
