22. Ari
twenty-two
Ari
If we weren’t at our friend’s wedding, I’d have decked Matt already.
The nerve the prick has to show up here tonight when he knows goddamn well who Knox and Harlow are, meaning he knew Lucia would be here. And I still don’t know how the fuck he and Anna got invited.
I sip on my beer as I watch Lucia from across the room. There’s a blonde woman with her right now, and I might not know who Anna is, but with how tense Lucia looks, I know this has to be her.
Lucia stares ahead with a blank expression while Anna seems to keep prodding her, but I know firsthand how stubborn Lucia is, so she’s not letting her anger and hurt show.
But that changes as soon as Micropenis Matt walks up on her other side.
I can’t hear what they’re saying, but he’s only there for a few moments before Lucia hurriedly walks away.
I need to check on her, but I need to take care of something else first.
I head straight to the couple standing where Lucia left them.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I say, anger clear in my voice, even though I keep my tone hushed.
“Who are you?” Anna asks, looking at me like I’m bothering her.
But Matt knows me all too well.
He crosses his arms and stares daggers at me. “Ari.”
“Why the fuck are you two here?” I ask again, more emphatically this time.
“Anna is related to Harlow and Cole,” Matt answers, still looking at me with murder in his eyes.
“You know goddamn well you’re not welcome here tonight, Matt.
I can’t speak to Anna because I don’t know their relationship, but I’d bet my life that Harlow and Cole have no idea Anna was the other woman.
If they did, there’s no chance either of you would be here.
” I step closer, getting right in Matt’s face.
“If we weren’t at a wedding, I’d lay you out right now.
But if you step a toe out of line and cause a scene tonight, I won’t hesitate to do it. ”
I step back and straighten out my vest, giving them one last parting glare before I peel after Lucia, heading out the same door she used.
I walk into an empty hallway and look around, but she’s not there.
I roll up my sleeves as I walk up one way before stopping when I hear a soft sniffle coming from the other end.
I turn on my heel and head in that direction, and rounding the corner, I find Lucia leaning back against the wall about halfway down.
“Lucia,” I say gently, and her eyes fly open. They’re rimmed with tears, and I’ve never seen her look so defeated.
“Oh God,” she says, quickly wiping under her eyes to gather the moisture, trying to pretend it’s not even there.
“You don’t need to hide how you’re feeling.” I come to a stop right in front of her. “Are you okay?”
She tries to fight it for a moment, but her attempt is futile as she chokes out, “No.”
“Come here,” I say, opening my arms for her, and surprisingly, she leans in without hesitation, crying into my shoulder. “What happened?”
“Matt was dating Anna basically our entire relationship,” she sobs. “He was always cheating on me. I’m so fucking stupid.”
“You’re not stupid,” I assert. “I don’t want to hear you say that. You had no control over his actions, Lucia, and they’re not a reflection on you.”
“I should’ve listened to you.”
I sigh. “You didn’t even know me, Luc. I shouldn’t have come to you the way I did.”
“But I wouldn’t feel like this if I did.”
I lean my head back and look down at her. “He really hurt you, didn’t he?”
Lucia is quiet for a moment before she finally replies. “Yes.”
“Then why do you always act so unbothered?”
She lifts her head up, swiping at the moisture under her eyes. “Because I’m Lucia Torres, and nothing is supposed to get to me. I’m supposed to be strong and independent, not crying over a man who cheated on me.”
I rub my thumb over her cheek. “That isn’t how emotions work.”
She lets out a breathy laugh. “I’m just not the emotional one. I’ve always been the level-headed friend, there to support everyone when they need it. I handle my shit without help. I don’t get hurt by anybody, especially men.”
“But you got hurt anyway because even the strongest people have moments of sorrow.”
Lucia disentangles herself from my embrace, leaning back against the wall again. “I loved him. I was absolutely devastated when I found him cheating on me. It hurt me in ways I’d never felt before.”
“It’s okay to admit that,” I say. “You have emotions. You’re human, Lucia.”
“When did you become so wise on anything related to relationships?” she chuckles, lips turning up in a slight smile.
Because I read romance novels, but I’m not telling you that.
“Wisdom, sweetheart,” I smirk, and she laughs harder.
“Sorry to unload on you. I’m not still hung up on him or anything, but I still feel the hurt whenever I see him. Anna admitting how long they’ve been together just made it worse.”
I smile at her. “You don’t need to apologize. I needed to make sure you were okay, and I’ve been told I’m a good listener.”
Lucia gazes at me with a sly look on her face. “You watch me a lot, Morgan. You seem to always know when I’ve snuck off somewhere.”
I let out a breath as heat floods my cheeks. “Even when you didn’t like me, I always kept an eye on you, Lucia. I knew Matt’s true colors would show one day, and regardless of how we met, I still didn’t want to see you hurt.”
“Who says I like you now?” she teases.
“Well, you certainly don’t act like you don’t like me.”
She laughs, and the sound is light and happy.
I can feel the stress of the night washing off her.
“I never told you, but I’m sorry for how I acted the night we met.
I was frustrated with Matt because I couldn’t find him, and I took that out on you because I thought you were trying to act like you knew better than me.
” She smiles at me now, and warmth courses through me. “I was wrong about you, Ari.”
The admission makes me grin. “I was wrong about you, too, Lucia. You aren’t who I thought you were.”
“I’m sorry we wasted two years bickering,” she chuckles, and I can’t help but do the same in return.
I lean against the wall beside her. “Let’s let bygones be bygones, then. We’ll start fresh.” I stick out my hand for her to shake. “So, hi, my name is Ari Morgan.”
Lucia practically cackles at me. “Lucia Torres.”
“Torres?” I tease. “Is that Mexican or something?”
“Ten cuidado, Morgan.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “I have no fucking idea what you just said.”
“And you don’t need to know.”
“Then I’m choosing to believe you told me I have a nice ass.”
She gapes at me. “I do not think you have a nice ass.”
“No?” I shrug. “You do.”
“I have a nice ass?”
“Uh, yeah,” I reply, turning to face her. Thanks to the heels she’s wearing, she’s taller than I am again, so her face is just above mine. “Have you seen your ass?”
“At least all my squats are paying off,” she chuckles.
“Those fucking squats are going to kill me, Spitfire,” I admit. “I can’t be in the gym when you’re doing them.”
Lucia looks at me in surprise. “Have you been checking me out, Casanova?”
“Have been for two years, sweetheart. Pay attention.”
She doesn’t reply, continuing to gaze at me, and I can’t tear my eyes off her. She seemed so broken when I found her, but now she’s seeming more like the Lucia I’ve been getting to know.
And that Lucia is one hell of a flirt.
She practically lunges at me, capturing my lips in a searing kiss. I quickly whip around and press her against the wall as I swipe my tongue over hers, pulling the softest moan from her that travels straight to my dick.
Lucia arches her body against me, and I plant one hand on the wall beside her head while letting the other grip her ass.
Seems like this night has taken a different turn.