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I can’t help but feel stupid. It was stupid of me to think he would ever be interested in the quiet, chubby girl when he could have anyone that he wanted. He was probably just being nice to me earlier, feeling bad for me because I was sitting alone on Valentine’s Day. I mean, my cousin and her friends did just leave me in some nightclub while they went off to hit on other guys.
Another shot is set down in front of me and I drink it in one fast gulp. The alcohol is starting to hit me now and I zone out, ignoring the table as I look around the club.
It’s dark with blue lights shining over the crowd on the dancefloor. I can see a bar on the other side of the club and another one up front, both crowded with people.
“This isn’t right!” Chloe shrieks and my head snaps back to see what the commotion is about.
The waitress is apologizing profusely and trying to explain as she looks between the glass in Chloe’s hands and back to Chloe. It’s obvious that tonight must be one of her first times waitressing and that she’s trying her best. I groan when Chloe starts to rip into the poor girl.
Chloe shoves the drink back into the waitress’s hand with a disgusted look before I can work up the courage to say anything and call her out.
The waitress rushes off and my heart goes out to her. I know how hard it can be to learn something new and working in this packed club can’t be easy.
My cheeks flame, partly in anger, but mostly from embarrassment. I hate being seen with these girls and being associated with their mean, snide comments. I can’t believe I have to be here with them. I can’t believe they still treat people like this.
My hands clench into fists and I straighten up in my seat, glaring at Chloe. They’re all ignoring me, though, and don’t notice.
“Ugh, let’s just get out of here and go somewhere they actually know how to make a decent drink,” Chloe says with an eye roll.
Nikki, Kaitlyn, and Taylor all give mean little cackles and stand, gathering their things. The waitress comes back as they’re leaving and I step over to her.
“I’m really sorry about them. It’s not your fault. They’re always like that. Here,” I say, shoving all of the cash that I have into her hand as a tip. “Thanks for everything,” I tell her and I give her a quick hug when it looks like she’s about to cry.
“Thank you,” she whispers, giving me a grateful smile as I grab my phone and hurry to catch up to them.
I turn, almost running right into Declan.
For a minute I had forgotten he was there, or maybe I was just too afraid to look and see if he had left with the girls.
He’s grinning down at me, his eyes looking almost proud of me and I duck my head, trying to sidestep him and catch up to Taylor and the bridesmaids.
He catches up to me quickly, falling into step beside me and wrapping his arm around my waist as the crowd jostles me.
“That was really nice of you,” Declan says close to my ear and I blush, not liking the attention on me.
“Someone had to do something. She was trying her best,” I huff, wondering why he didn’t say something himself.
“I know. I left her a note with a large tip on the table. Hopefully that makes up for their behavior.”
My heart thumps in my chest, pleased that he considered their behavior rude, too, and also tried to make up for it.
“I’ve been meaning to ask. How come you aren’t a bridesmaid?” he asks me as we loiter inside the front doors.
I can see Taylor and the bridesmaids, huffing and waiting impatiently at the door to the limo for us to join them. I’m sure that they’re really only waiting for Declan.
“I wasn’t asked to be one.”
“Why not? You and Taylor aren’t close?”
“No, not really. Even if we were, she would never ask me to be a bridesmaid. She wouldn’t want me to ruin her big day.”
“How would you ruin it?” Declan asks, his fingers tightening on my hip as he stares down at me.
He looks pissed, like an angry predator ready to pounce.
“Because of my size,” I whisper, mortified to have to point it out to him. “I would ruin all of the wedding photos.”
I brush past him, hurrying over to the limo before Declan can say anything or can spot the tears in my eyes.
