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I hopped off the counter, twisting back and forth in the mirror, ensuring my dress was intact. When I made eye contact with him, he was staring at my reflection. Suddenly, I felt shy but wasn’t sure why. The water cut off automatically. He took several paper towels from a stack by the sink, drying his hands, never taking his gaze off me.
“What?” I smiled.
He shook his head, tossing them in the trash, then took a few steps toward me, gripping my hips. “I should be mad at you.”
“Why?” I pursed my lips, ready to call his bluff. “Because you’re addicted to me now?”
“You need to go back to your party before we get caught.” Taking my hand in his, he twisted me around, swatting me on the rear. “Behave.”
I spun around. “Behave how?”
Closing the space between our bodies, he rested a hand on my lower back, pulling me tight against him. “Just behave.”
For the rest of the evening at the country club, I replayed our moment together over and over in my head. Still, I managed to half-socialize with my friends, but all I wanted was to be alone with him somewhere. It was torture watching him laugh, having fun with the older adults, while Tabitha kept her claws hooked on his arm, occasionally whispering in his ear. I longed to be his date, having more mature conversations than what Aiden and Isaac were discussing; how much they drank two nights ago and vomited.
Those closer to my family came back to our house after dinner. My mother arranged the presents in the library's corner on a few tables and on the floor. In my world, it was proper etiquette to wait until all the guests left to open them, but I at least wanted to read some cards. After changing into my swimsuit, I stopped in on the way to the pool.
My eyes widened at the number of gifts despite making sure the RSVP card stated,No gifts, just come have fun!As I approached the table, I spun around at the sound of someone behind me.
“Aiden,” I sighed.
“Wow,” he chuckled, “so disappointed.”
“I just thought you were someone else.” I turned back to the bounty of presents, thankful but still wishing they’d not spoiled me so much.
“Nah.” He snuck up behind me, enfolding his arms around my waist, pulling me against him. He pressed his lips to the back of my neck.
Twirling my body, I lazily tried to free myself, assuming he was only drunk and being his normal flirty self. “Stop.”
“You know your parents are outside,” he trailed his hands down to the elastic of my bikini bottoms, “and we can sneak upstairs and fuck around.”
“Aiden, stop.” This time, I was more persistent.
“Baby, what’s wrong with y—”
“She told you to stop,” a deep voice rumbled from the doorway.
Startled, we both jumped, spinning around. Instantly, Aiden backed away, holding his hands out to the side. “Bro, why are you always showing up?”
Vincenzo marched over in a hurry, grabbing Aiden by the throat, lifting him to his toes. “Let’s get one thing straight. I’m not yourbroand you have a habit of—”
“Vinny,” I spat, observing Aiden’s reddening face, “let him go.”
Brow remaining furrowed, he relaxed his grip, taking a step back. “Eliza, I’ll see you at my house.”
“You’re leaving?”
He stepped over to a pile of gifts, taking one out. “It’s getting late.”
Aiden, holding his neck, scoffed. “I don’t want trouble. I’ll go.”
“Aid—”
“Happy birthday, Eliza.” Lowering his head, he sped out of the room, closing the door behind him.
I glanced over my shoulder at the four large windows. There were no blinds, and the curtains were always drawn. I wanted to speak to Vincenzo, but this was not the place. We were visible from the backyard and there was no telling who just saw what happened. “Follow me.”
He grabbed my wrist, yanking me back.
