AllFreeNovel
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Ben heads to one of the tall fridges and pulls out a magnum bottle of Dom Perignon. “How many glasses do you need?”
“I have no idea.”
“I’ll bring eight over, you can send someone to fetch more if you need them. Go start partying, gorgeous.”
“Thanks.” Turning to find my friends, I see that Lance has not stopped watching me. His intense scrutiny leaving a tingling over my skin like a thousand tiny pinpricks. Gaby has already made her way over to one of the VIP tables that has been reserved for us. “This way.” I motion over to the table for Lance to follow.
My nerves feel frazzled, so many questions going around in my head. Why is he here? Why did it have to be him? Does he expect us to be friendly? Does he even remember how weended? Or was that just one in a string of many endings that have come to mean nothing to him? Shit, now there are tears in my eyes. I quickly blot them and, once again, plaster on a bright smile to face my friends.
I reach the table to a roar of, “There she is!/Happy Birthday!/Elle!” People stand to hug me and kiss my cheek. I see Lance standing to one side and I feel a slight satisfaction at seeing him looking less than comfortable.
The first to reach me are the beefy brothers, as I affectionately call them. Tony and Enzo are identical twins you might think would do all they could to distinguish themselves from each other, but you’d be wrong. They have the same hairstyle, dark brown waves brushed back from their faces, they wear the same clothes (I sometimes giggle at the thought of them calling each other every morning to agree on what outfit to wear), and they have matching tattoos on their arms. How Gaby can tell her fiancé from his brother, I have no clue. I can only tell once I’m talking to them.
I’m hauled into a strong chest and spun around before being passed to an identical embrace. “Happy birthday!” they chorus, chuckling.
“Thanks, fellas,” I laugh.
“You look hot as fuck.” Ah, that’s Enzo.
“Thanks, babe.”
“You’re looking good, Elle,” Tony says, giving my shoulder a squeeze. Gaby comes to his side, sliding her arm around his waist and he bends to kiss her.
“Gah!” I exclaim. “I cannot wait for you two to get married!” Genuine excitement bubbles in my chest. Gaby and Tony are just the cutest couple and two of my dearest friends.
Micky arrives with the champagne and a tray of glasses, to cheers and clapping from my group. Gray, my flatmate, sidles up to Lance and holds his hand out in an introduction. I watch as Lance shakes his hand and speaks to him. Lance’s face softens in polite interest in whatever small talk Gray was making but he still doesn’t smile. I see him tap on his phone and down his drink, his gaze finding mine. I need a drink.
The champagne did not seem to last long, Lance didn’t have any.Good. He doesn’t deserve my birthday champagne. Wanker.I’m three glasses in…or is it four? No, pretty sure it’s three. The DJ introduces the next performer, Flynn, our resident playboy and a favourite of the shes, theys, and gays when he’s on stage. We all whoop and cheer as he comes on stage in an unbuttoned black shirt, tucked into dark jeans, with leather cuffs on his wrists. After a few flirty words to his adoring crowd, he starts his first song, High Hopes.
I fling my arms in the air and shake my hips, dancing to Flynn’s sexy-as-fuck voice. Gaby is dancing with me and when I close my eyes, my head swims slightly. Okay, so maybe itwasfour glasses. Every move I make, I can feel hot brown eyes on me.
“Hey, Tony,” I call and he looks up at me. “Come dance with me.”
“Why me?” He laughs.
I roll my eyes in an exaggerated manner. “Because you’re straight, it’s my birthday, and I want to dance with someone who appreciates my moves!”
He laughs. “My fiancé, might have something to say about that.”
“Nah, she’s cool with it,” Gaby flicks her wrist toward him to effectively dismiss his concern. “But what about your hot friend?” She shouts over the music, pointing her thumb over shoulder toward Lance.
“I’d rather stick needles in my eyes, thank you,” I shout and then I’m aware of everyone at the table turning to look at Lance.
After a couple of awkward beats, Tony stands up and holds out his hand for me to take. “Alright then, hot stuff, show me what you’ve got.”
19
LANCE
Brent:Let me know when you’re done and I’ll pick you up.
Hayden:You’re still there? How long is this meeting?
Me:She’s here.
Brent:Who’s there?
Me:Elle. She works at the club.
