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“Yeah,” he downed his second rum and Coke and said, “I haven’t seen him this happy in a long time.” His voice had a retrospective tone, “Enough to call his dad for a favor.”
“I’m glad.” Did he just say what he said? My head turned towards him, “Did you say he called his dad for a favor?”
He shook his head, avoiding my eyes, “Nah. Forget it. Not my place to say anything ‘bout it.”
He was not getting off that easy. He started it, he had to finish it.
Zander’s gaze caught mine across the restaurant and the look he gave me warmed me all over. It was always like that with him. He only had to look at me and I burned.
I edged closer to Xavier, “Come on what are you talking about?”
Xavier looked uncomfortable, but he must have sensed that I would not stop until he said something, “I can’t say -ok, you didn’t hear this from me.” He looked straight at me, searched my face, and continued, “Let’s just say, Zander never calls his dad for anything. But, he may have asked his dad to buy a pesky, little company called Chatty Pepper.”
Oh god. Did Zander really do that?
I’ve come to accept that his father was powerful. Zander never talked about his family’s power and wealth. He didn’t brag about it. My mind reeled with the knowledge that his father could actually buy out a company just because his son’s girlfriend didn’t like to be photographed.I haven’t even met his parents.
Zander was now headed towards us. His eyes lit up, his lips touched my cheek, as soon as he reached me.
His hand held mine under the table. I had a feeling he wanted to do more, but he knew I was very uncomfortable with people taking pictures of us. So, he settled to holding my hand and kissing me minimally and very, very tamely in public.
I gazed at his profile as he talked to Xavier. His blue-green eyes were magnetic, his smile was electric. Everything about him oozed confidence and sensuality. I saw how beautiful girls blatantly approach him and hand him their numbers. He always politely said, “No, thank you.” The disappointment in those women’s eyes almost always turned to hatred or annoyance towards me for my presence at his side.
I hated being photographed because I liked my privacy. Those girls would not hesitate to be photographed with Zander or have their names be linked to his. I also hated being photographed because I didn’t want people to judge me or us, based on some random pictures. Lately, I was getting so tired of it all. Zander must have sensed all of these and wanted to make it stop.
I was his girlfriend, but I felt like the other woman. Always touching him, under the table. Kissing him, when I felt that no one was looking. Stealing glances at him, after checking if someone was going to take pictures.When did I become so paranoid?Zander’s hand held me tighter under the table.
“You ok, babe?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I grinned at him. He always asked if I was ok.
The server came in with our appetizers; chicken wings, spinach and artichoke dip, salmon tempura, and bruschetta. Zander took 2 slices of the bruschetta, topped them with tomato and cheese, and slowly placed them on my plate, just the way I liked it. These were the little things that he did for me.
He always put me first.
If I called him and he was in practice, he called me the first chance he got. He always tried to deflect those paparazzi-like people into taking pictures of him instead of me. Now, Xavier just revealed that Zander, who didn’t like to ask favors, asked his dad for something because of me.
It was time I took back what was mine.My privacy, questionable.My life, definitely.
I just knew exactly where to claim it.
Zander
This fraternity/sorority mixer was a doozy. I couldn’t figure out why I liked these things before. It was only because of my unfailing sense of responsibility and loyalty to my frat buddies and friends that I was even here. I saw Tanya running around earlier. She was the head of the planning committee. Her sorority was my fraternity’s sister organization. Tonight, fraternity and sorority members across Northern California campuses attended the party.
I would have rather spent the night with my girlfriend. She was probably having a better Friday night than I was. The only thing I was really looking forward to was the end of this mixer, when I could spend the night with Sedona. In three more hours.
I was on my way to the bar when Tanya caught my arm, “Hey handsome, you enjoying yourself?”
I raised an eyebrow, “I know you’re part of the committee for this event so if I said no, you’d probably smack me in the head.”
She laughed, “Yeah, yeah whatever. What do you think?” she glanced around the room.
“It’s pretty cool here. Great job , Tanya. You and your cronies are masters of these great parties. I know if it was up to my frat brothers, it would just be a bunch of keg stands lining up the room and they’d call it a party.”
The sorority sisters really did a great job with the place. The food was great and everyone looked like they were having fun.
She winked at me, “You’ll have a better time later, trust me,” Something caught her eye, “Alright, and off I go. My cronies are calling.”
