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“I think he’s going to have a problem keeping you in it,” I wink and she laughs, sitting on my bed as I strap on my heels.
“Everyone’s showing up, are you ready to head down?” she asks and I nod, giving myself a once-over in the mirror.
“You look beautiful, Ali,” she says, smiling at me before she stands to grab my hand and walk me from my bedroom.
We walk down the stairs, and the house already filled with people. A server with a tray of drinks comes up and we take them as we walk outside, Marley gasping at the beautiful sight the event company set up. There are candles and twinkling lights everywhere, people mingling and laughing as they drink and eat appetizers.
“Ali…this is amazing,” she says, looking around in awe as I squeeze her hand.
“It is, isn’t it? Don’t drink too much, your first day at the office is tomorrow,” I say with a wink as she laughs, freezing when she sees Rob walking toward us in a black suit, his hair clean and slicked back.
“He cleans up nice,” I whisper in her ear as Rob reaches us, smiling at me before he brings Marley’s hand to his lips for a kiss.
“Wow…Marley. You look…you are…” he stammers, and I laugh before pulling away from her.
“Perfect,” I say and he blushes, a nervous hand running through his hair as he smiles shyly at me.
“Yeah. Perfect. You look good too, Miss Ali,” he says, grabbing Marley’s hand.
“Are you hungry?” he asks her before she nods, and he pulls her towards the catering booth.
She turns her head to mouth anoh my godat me as I laugh while sipping my drink.
I look around at the crowd, smiling when Claire approaches me in a simple, black dress with a shawl, drink in her hand.
“You outdid yourself, Ali,” she says, hugging me tight before stepping back to admire the yard with me.
“The only thing I did was write a few checks,” I laugh, sipping my drink and nearly spitting it out when I lock eyes with Hunter, who’s standing near the bar in a freshly tailored gray suit, cowboy hat still in place.
Why does he always have to look so good? Whether he’s covered in dirt or tailored to the gods, he makes my knees tremble and my belly flutter. He also makes my anger rise.
“Shit, how did he get in here? I’ll go find Earl and the boys,” Claire says, about to march off before my hand snaps forward and halts her.
“No, Claire. You don’t have to. This is a community event, and he has animals too. Seriously, it’s okay. If he causes any trouble, I’ll let you guys know. I’m not going near him anyway,” I say, my eyes never leaving his.
“Are you sure?” Claire whispers at my side as I nod, entranced by the beautiful, evil man staring at me from across the yard.
Claire excuses herself and walks inside the house while I continue to sip my drink and mingle with the guests, shaking numerous hands as residents walk up and greet me. I look over at Hunter one last time, freezing as I watch Hannah approach him in a tight and short black dress, her nails manicured perfectly as they find a place on his hard chest.
She must have said something he liked because he looks down at her and offers her the most breathtaking smile. A smile I didn’t even know was possible for him to make since he’s either smirking at me in arrogance or scowling at me in anger. Lead fills my stomach as jealousy crawls up my throat. I don’t know why, but tears blur my eyes as hurt wraps around my heart. I shouldn’t be reacting like this, shouldn’t even feel anything for the man, but everything rushes so quickly to the surface that when he turns and catches my attention again, I set my glass down and run into the house and up the stairs. I slam my bedroom door behind me, sitting on my bed as I take deep breaths to try and calm the turbulent emotions inside of me.
24
I am wipingthe stray tear that I let fall from my eyes when I hear a knock on my door.
“I just need a few minutes,” I say, standing and straightening my dress as I breathe deep.
“Open the door, Alison,” Hunter orders from behind the door, my breath catching in my throat as my fists clench at my sides.
“No, go away.” I try to sound stern, but my voice shakes and betrays me.
“I’m afraid I can’t do that, Red. Now open the door,” he says in a dark tone, but I don’t move an inch.
“Yes you can. You can actually just go ahead and leave my property. You clearly have amnesia since you don’t remember our conversation from the other week,” I hiss, jumping when the door rattles as his fists pounds on it.
“Open this goddamn door, Ali!” he roars, scaring me as I rush to it and snap it open, not wanting to cause a disturbance.
I glare at him, trying to keep my eyes level with his so they don’t get lost and roam down his body. He takes one look at my blotched face and frowns, stepping in the room and slamming the door behind him, his large body crowding me in my bedroom.
