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I scoff. “Trust me, baby, there’s no such thing as small when it comes to Topher D’Angelo and parties.”
“Be that as it may, we’re going.”
“No, we’re not. I’ll be busy, Tori,” I say, fumbling for an excuse.
She gives me a look that says she’s not buying my bullshit.
“I seriously don’t want to go.”
“We’re going,” she says, deciding for both of us despite what she just said a few minutes ago. “Please,” she adds.
When I look at her, I catch her soft expression and the pleading in her eyes. Like I could say no to that. I sigh. “Fine. We’re going.”
Her effect on me seriously needs to be studied. I swear it’s not normal.
Unfortunately for me, Christian and Daniella will not be attending the party. I ask him about it as soon as I arrive at the pub, but he tells me they were able to get out of going because they opted to watch the kids. Then he tries to ask me about Tori, at which point I remove myself from the conversation.
I guess I have no choice but to go to the party. And hope Katherine’s able to control her husband’s more eccentric tendencies.
* * *
The couple greetsus as soon as we walk into their house. I kiss Katherine on the cheek before giving my brother a quick hug. We’re a little late and the party’s in full swing. I’m incredibly surprised when I notice the band playing soft jazz music in the corner. It’s not loud or boisterous. It’s actually pretty tame. I smile, looking at my brother.
“Who’s responsible for all this?”
He gestures at his wife. “She and her sister planned the whole thing. We wanted to have a disco ball and strippers but we got vetoed,” he says with a pout.
I’m guessing the “we” he’s referring to is himself and Jameson.
Topher smiles. “You look happy.”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t start. I’m going to go get a drink.”
Tori’s talking to Katherine so I leave her for a bit to get us drinks. Unfortunately, as I’m returning to her, I run into a familiar face. Green eyes, dark eyes and a glare that could melt ice.
“Cara,” I say in greeting. “How are you?”
She laughs unkindly. “How am I? Cut the bullshit, Carlo.”
I sigh softly. “Listen, I know I owe you an explanation.”
“You do.” She nods. “And you’re giving it to me, right now.”
I hesitate. “I could call you and—”
“You owe me at least this much, Carlo,” she says sadly.
She’s right. I do. I look back at Tori and find her eyes already on me.
I need to talk to her. “It’ll only be a few minutes,” I mouth, but I’m not sure she’s able to make out the words. She nods like she understands, although I do notice her eyes flicker to Cara nervously. She and I head outside to the patio. The cold air billows across my face as I turn to look at the woman beside me.
Cara doesn’t waste any time.
“I knew it was going to happen eventually,” she says pointedly. “But I thought you actually liked me.”
“I do like you, Cara,” I say deciding to be honest. “I just didn’t like you enough…”
I’m forced to wince at how that sounded. Shit, this is not going well.
