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Tall white columns surround the pool, lit torches topping them. White sheer fabric spans between each column, held open by ivy to make it look like they’re curtains. The tables all have an expanse of candles and ivy. Gold and white balloons are tied to the back of the lounge chairs.
It’s the bar that really has my jaw dropping in awe.
Columns of different heights wrapped in ivy display tonight’s treats. Each food item is served in a gold dish, and miniature statues and candles surround the entire foodscape.
My first thought... I wish I could post this on Instagram. It’s gorgeous.
My second thought... I can’t wait to be able to post again. The whole social media ban wasn’t a big deal at first, but now, when I have downtime, I’m missing my friends and wondering what they’re up to. Aside from Naomi, I haven’t talked to or checked in with anyone else. No one was allowed to know I was coming, so I’m sure it came as a big shock when they saw me on TV.
I could check on them. Log in to my accounts and browse their profiles. Silently stalk them. The urge to comment and wish my friends a happy birthday or congratulations would be too much, though. I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize being here. Not now.
“They sure went all out,” Jace notes as he begins setting up behind the bar. We’re the first to arrive, which surprises me. “You’d think they could have at least sprung for a pair of briefs.”
Rolling my eyes, I spread cheese on a cracker and savor the flavor as it hits my tongue, a small moan escaping.
“There will be no more of that unless you want me to hide back here all night.”
Looking up, I find Jace staring at me intensely. He’s dead serious.
All I can do is smile as I shove another bite of cracker in my mouth and let out a moan, louder this time.
“Tease,” he mutters at the same time Milo announces his arrival.
“Let the party begin!”
When I turn, I find him and Lennon headed in our direction. Both seem to be comfortable in their outfits.
Nodding as he passes me, Lennon steps behind the bar and whispers something in Jace’s ear. When his eyes light up, I try to sneak a peek over the bar, but Milo pulls me away and toward the pool.
“I see now why we were told we couldn’t swim at a pool party,” he says as he takes a step onto the wide platform that’s been built over the center of the pool. It spans from one side to the other and in the middle is a Greek-style trellis adorned in ivy.
“This can’t be safe,” I state as I take a tentative step backward.
That doesn’t stop Milo from proceeding, and once he reaches the trellis, he grabs hold of the nearest pillar.
“It’s foam. Don’t worry.”
Foam? As in, it doesn’t weigh much. Which is good considering the platform I’m standing on the edge of doesn’t look like it could hold much more than the weight of three people.
“Yeah, I think I’m going to admire it from afar.” My voice is filled with skepticism. The last thing I want to do is fall into the pool in my already see-through outfit and get trapped underwater. No thanks. Not how I want this night to end.
Or my life.
“Dramatic much?” Teegan asks, her voice like nails on a chalkboard. Unwelcome and annoying.
She and Bella are seated on two lounge chairs behind me. When the hell did they get here?
“Depends. If you compare me to you, I’d like to think I was acting sensibly. But that’s just me,” I retort, glaring in her direction for a few seconds before turning and heading back to the bar to figure out what Lennon and Jace were up to.
They’re both smiling at me as I approach. Well, smiling is an understatement. Devilishly grinning is more like it. Like they know something I don’t, which is more than likely accurate considering how quickly Milo pulled me away.
“You two causing trouble?” I ask as Jace hands me a tall thin glass filled to the brim.
“Never!” Lennon replies, feigning insult.
All I can do is shake my head as I take a sip of the pinkish-purple concoction in my hand. It goes down smooth and has a sweet but minty flavor that lingers on my tongue. I can barely taste the alcohol, which makes me nervous. One too many of these and I’m going to need Jace to carry me to bed.
“This is delicious. What is it?”
