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She moves closer. I move in too. It can’t be this easy.
‘Listen to me, you syphilis-riddled dickhead. I’m going to do you a favour, save you some time and not twist your nuts off for thinking I’m going to fall for that shite; only because of what you did for Aari tonight. So here goes. I am a LEZZ-BEEE-YAAAN. Your uninspired, outdated lines are wasted on me. It’s never gonna happen.’
Wow, I like her even more. Ariella needs someone like Lara in her corner. I can tell that we’ve come from similar places; dragged up in a hard, harsh world. I pour another shot in her glass.
‘Good to know. Tequila?’ I offer.
‘It’s no use trying to get me drunk either, you’ll lose.’
‘Is that a challenge?’
‘No, it’s a fucking invitation.’
She looks me in the eye, knocks the shot back, slams the glass on the table, smiles slyly and compels me to bring it.
‘Come on, Girl Scout, I’ve got all night.’
‘So have I.’ Smiling at her, I refill both our glasses.
FIFTEEN
ARIELLA
As my eyes open the next morning, I feel embarrassed and ashamed about the night before. Jasper is not a bad person. We are both broken and hurt, and I clearly overreacted. It isn’t fair to blame him.
I’d been looking forward to Zachary’s little party for Isszy’s birthday, but I was also looking forward to seeing Jasper. I was hoping to move past the tension between us at Mommy’s birthday and return to being friends.
The usual suspects were there: Franco and a whole bunch of guys the boys went to school with, Isszy’s family, and her friends from the fashion and editorial world. It was intimidating. They were all nice, but I felt self-conscious and alone in my jeans and shirt, standing next to designers I had never heard of. Thankfully, there was a girl from Isszy’s office, Zoe, who didn’t know anyone either, so we stuck together. She was in promotions and was interested in some event stuff too. I promised her Caleb would give her a call. She was cute. I just hoped he didn’t try to sleep with her.
When Jasper turned up, I didn’t notice until Zoe asked who he was. My stomach erupted like a butterfly farm. I immediately felt every breath, every kiss, every smile, every laugh with him. What had I done? Life was awful without him and dating was miserable. If I was being completely honest, I didn’t care about the people I was speaking with. They were nice, but if I didn’t see or speak with them again it wouldn’t bother me. Jasper caught me looking at him, so I smiled, and he walked over. My heart jumped to my throat. He was so beautiful.
‘OMG. He’s walking over. How do I look?’ Zoe fussed with her hair and her outfit.
‘You look great. You should know that he’s…’
‘Ariella.’
I inhaled as much of his familiar smell as I could when he leaned in to give me a kiss on the cheek. He used my full name. What was that about?
‘Hey, Jas.’ I smiled the warmest smile I could. Everything I was feeling lay behind that smile. I want you. I’m sorry. I have no idea what I’m doing.
‘Who’s your friend?’ He extended his hand. ‘Hi. I’m Jasper. Do you work at Ivory Bow too?’
‘No, I work with Isszy.’
‘Fashion. I’ve never understood it, to be honest.’
‘That’s surprising. You’re wearing Desmond Merrion couture.’
‘I tip my hat. You’re out – drink refill…?’
‘Zoe.’
‘Zoe. Gorgeous name…’
Jasper and Zoe walked away from me. I stood there, stunned. Of all the people he could have zeroed in on, he took away the one person I was speaking with.
Normally, I’d be huddled inseparably with Jasper all night, making little jokes and enjoying the company of people we were speaking with together. He and I loved finding the tiniest space to kiss at these things. Now, he was flirting intensely with Zoe. I made my way to my safe place, the kitchen. Someone, surely, would need help there.
