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“Sleepover,” he repeated and ducked his head. I could hear him stifle a laugh, which caused my cheeks to burn because it seemed like my mouth was a never-ending faucet for idiocy. Despite that, he continued. “After dinner, we can put on our pj’s, make popcorn, and tell scary stories.” He jumped up. “Actually, maybe I should call the front desk and see if they can send two sleeping bags up here.”
I rolled my eyes.
He clutched the comforter in his hand, peering down in deep thought. “This would make a great tent, you know. Wait, I have a flashlight around here somewhere.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and clicked on it as a light flashed across the room. “And God said, ‘Let there be light.’”
I started to snicker and crossed my arms. “Stop. You know what I meant. This is all new to me.”
“I know,” he said quietly. “I was trying to make you laugh because I could tell you were starting to freak out.”
“I was not.”
“You were.”
“Not everyone can be as chill as you, Axel.”
He laced his fingers together and stretched them out in front of him, cracking his knuckles. “Yeah, you’re right,” he teased. There was something in his tone… I don’t know. It was strange how he seemed so personable yet distant, if that made any sense.
Natalie
Dinner was nice, which could only be expected from a five-star hotel, right? A five-course meal was on the menu, which included the choice of prime rib or sea bass—which I opted for—and perfect wine pairings. I wouldn’t know what a good bottle of wine was, even if it hit me in the face, but Axel certainly acted like he was some kind of connoisseur.
He and I had barely spoken since we sat down to dinner. Not that he was being rude. He was just that guy who everyone seemed to gravitate around. Apparently, he loved the attention. As we ate, Kenzie and I talked about school while Nick and Axel carried on a conversation about football.
As soon as our dinner plates were cleared by the staff, Kenzie stood up and glanced at Nick. “I have to go to the restroom.”
After a while, Kenzie hadn’t returned, and Nick dropped his napkin, starting off out of the dining room. Axel cursed under his breath, tossing his napkin aside, too. “I’ll be back.” He took off after Nick, while I sat puzzled.
I thumbed my glass in thought. “I guess it’s just you and me, wine.” Did I actually talk to my wine glass? I chuckled and touched my warm cheek. I felt really good right now. Shrugging, I took another sip.
“Hi.” Oh, no. Brunette Barbie—Jeanette, I think was her name—with shampoo commercial-worthy hair dropped down into Axel’s vacant seat. Of course, she was on the party bus, sitting with the group at the front of the bus with Justin. “Natalie, right?”
“Yes,” I said cautiously.
“What a lovely dress. I’d be careful around food and drink because these rental places have a strict policy about returning the clothing in perfect condition.”
What the hell did that mean? Her words were polite, but I would have had to be an idiot not to miss that it was a slight at me. She smiled demurely and continued. “Anyway, I noticed you were sitting by yourself and looked lonely. Would you like to come sit at our table?” She nodded over at the table across from us. I caught the group of friends over there, watching us and trying to keep a straight face. I inwardly cringed. Did Jeanette actually believe I would hang out with her? And I wasn’t lonely, dammit; I could entertain myself.
“No. I’m fine right here. My date went to the restroom,” I lied, because I didn’t know where the hell Axel and Nick went. As far as I knew, they were like the wolf pack inTwilight,sharing gazes and telepathically talking most of the evening. Damn, I wish I’d had Edward’s power of reading minds.
“Oh, yeah? Are you sure?” she asked with a concerned face. “The thing with Axel is…” She smiled demurely and shook her head. “Never mind.”
“What about him?” I knew I shouldn’t care and should ignore whatever she was about to say because she put off major mean-girl vibes despite her being somewhat friendly at the moment.
“Umm.” Her brows drew together as if this bit of information she was about to share was difficult to deliver. “So, he really did bring you as his date?”
“Yes. Why?” My eyes narrowed, and my cheeks felt hotter, and I knew it wasn’t solely because of the wine.
“You just don’t seem like his type.” She frowned, and I could feel myself tense. “No offense,” she added quickly.
I knew I wasn’t his type. In fact, I heard the same comment from her blonde friend earlier. But it still hurt to hear it.
“I didn’t mean it the way it came out. But since it was brought up, I think you should know something.” She laid a dainty, jeweled hand on my shoulder as if she were my dear friend and needed to confide in me, even though I never asked for this convo in the first place. I wasn’t fishing for information. “Axel is only with you tonight because he wanted to make me jealous and needed to bring a plus one to the formal.”
My body tensed, and I fought to remain calm. Why would I be surprised that he would have eyes for Miss Pantene and her perfect self? I already knew they had a history together.
Obviously, she took my silence as encouragement to continue explaining this situation, which wasn’t too difficult to understand. I sure as hell didn’t need aMean Girl’s Guide to Enlightenmentto explain this. “We broke up, and he was upset.” She lifted her lips wryly. “However, I know he still wants me back because he brought…” She scanned over me like I was leftover scraps from Thanksgiving dinner. “You. And please don’t take this as offense…” How many times was she going to tell me not to take offense as she passive-aggressively offended me? “You seem like a nice person.” My heart sank like an anchor.
Asking me on a date was just a stupid revenge plot to get back at Jeanette. Damn. That kind of hurt. Her words stung, even though I knew Axel and I had an agreement. A server came by and asked if I would like to try a chocolate martini to go along with the chocolate lava cake they were serving.Yes, and yes.
