Chapter 22
LEO
December 31
Brian and I step out of the Uber at 8:55 PM. I’m wearing a navy suit, Brian a cream one. Meredith’s party always has a cocktail dress code; she invites the people and pays for the food, while I rent the venue and cover the staff expenses. She used to host it at her house, but the parties grew bigger each year. It got so packed that you could hardly move, so I offered to pay for a larger space the next year, and she reluctantly agreed. This year, it’s a casino-themed party, and it’s on the ninety-ninth floor of the Willis Tower.
“Are there going to be any good-looking women here tonight that you know of?” Brian asks, naturally. Brian is a serial dater, but he actually wants to settle down and get married someday, which makes him better than me, according to most.
“There always are, mate. It’s a big party, usually about a hundred people. I’ve never had trouble finding someone to take home.” As I say this, my mind drifts to Vivian. She’ll be here this year, and I know she’ll outshine them all. I’d offered her a ride with us, but she politely declined, making me wonder if she really does intend to stick to the boundaries we agreed on .
Brian knows I think Vivian is hot and a great friend—I’ve talked about her enough. But only Meredith knows about my deeper feelings for her and our mutual attraction.
We take the elevator up to the 99th floor, and as soon as the doors open, the sounds of chatter and music fill the air. The room is decked out like a high-end casino, complete with poker, blackjack, and craps tables, along with roulette wheels. I immediately look for Meredith to see if she needs help with anything, even though I’ve spent a small fortune ensuring there’s plenty of staff to handle everything.
I find Meredith near the bar with Piper on one arm, and a drink in the other hand, talking to the bartender. She’s in a sleek black dress, effortlessly commanding attention as always. We’re right on time, with only about fifteen other people here. The majority will roll in within the hour, and the rest after that.
We make our way across the room. “Mer,” I call out.
She turns around. “Leo! Brian! You made it!” She gives each of us a one-armed hug, carefully holding her drink to the side so she doesn’t spill it.
“This turned out great. You’ve really outdone yourself.” I grab her by the shoulders, grinning like a proud father.
“It’s really great, Meredith,” Brian chimes in.
“Ah, thanks, you guys! Honestly, I couldn’t have done any of it without you, Leo. And Piper puts up with my crazy for all the weeks leading up to it.”
Piper goes wide-eyed and grimaces, causing us all to laugh.
While we catch up on the week, I order a whiskey on the rocks for myself, and a Liquid Death water for Brian. Brian is somewhat of a situational alcoholic, so he doesn’t consume much alcohol, and when he does, it’s usually just one or two beers. His drinking became a problem when he was twenty-two after his dad, who was his role model and best friend, died suddenly of a heart attack. That loss sent Brian into a nine-month spiral of heavy drinking, alienating everyone around him. He went on another bender in his late twenties after his fiancée broke off their engagement, but since then, he’s managed to keep his drinking under control .
At 9:15, Michael and Stella arrive and join us at a standing table to mingle. By 9:30, I still don’t see Vivian and the party is in full swing, with glittering decorations and a sea of people filling the room. Laughter and chatter mix with the music, creating a vibrant, almost electric atmosphere. Streamers and stringed lights hang from the ceiling, and the faint smell of champagne and hors d’oeuvres lingers in the air.
I text her because yes, I am that pussy-whipped, even though I’m adamant that we stay just friends. Everything is better when Vivian is around. Plus, I want to normalize things as quickly as possible, get rid of any leftover tension.
Leo: Party can’t start until you’re here. What’s your ETA?
She responds within two minutes.
Vivian: Slow your roll… I’m in an Uber, almost there.
I give her message a thumbs-up and realize just how anxious I am for her to arrive, mindlessly tapping my index finger on the table—a nervous tick.
Finally, fifteen minutes later, Vivian steps out of the elevator, and I practically have to scrape my jaw off the floor. She is drop-dead gorgeous—the sexiest I’ve ever seen her. I can’t help but kick myself a little for being such a stubborn ass.
She’s wearing a low-cut sequin mini dress. The front plunges in a deep V, almost down to her belly button, showing off the perfect curve of her tits—the same tits I rubbed, kissed and sucked on just a few weeks ago. It’s sheer… and it’s fucking with my head—I can’t tell if it’s skin or fabric, but it’s going to drive me crazy all night. And her strappy heels make her long legs look sexy as hell. All I can think about is what’s underneath—what color are her panties, is her pussy bare?
Fuck. I’m in deep shit tonight.
This friends thing is going to kill me. All I want is to close the distance between us and forget about all the reasons why I shouldn’t.
I watch from across the room as she finds Piper, every guy she passes glancing at her, their eyes lingering a moment too long. The best part is that she doesn’t even realize how beautiful she is. She doesn’t flaunt it. She and Piper start talking, and I watch as she laughs, her smile lighting up the room.
Vivian glances in my direction, her eyes locking on mine. She smiles and gives me a little wave. I gesture for her to come over, and she holds up her index finger, indicating she’ll be over in a minute.
She and Piper make their way to the bar, and I watch as two different guys approach her. One is definitely not her type, but the other is a decent-looking guy. A wave of envy crashes over me as I watch her smile and flirt with him, placing her hand on his chest. Damn. I know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of that hand and laugh, and I don’t like that it’s someone else. I can’t wait any longer. I excuse myself from the table where Michael, Stella, and Brian are conversing and make a beeline to the bar before another guy can flirt with her.
“Hey, Viv,” I say casually, interrupting her and Piper.
“Oh hey, you!” she says, offering me a side hug.
Hey you? A side hug?
She’s never given me a side hug before; that’s what you give your father or brother… or, shit, a friend. Well, fuck me. I guess this is what it’s like to be Vivian’s friend with her guard up.
“Have you been here long?” she asks, her voice cheerful.
“About an hour.” I look her up and down and grin. “You look fucking incredible, by the way. You’re turning heads as you walk through this room.”
She smiles shyly. “Thanks. But there’s only one head I care to turn in this room,” she says unwaveringly, her green eyes locking with mine.
“Well, it’s been turned, love,” I respond, my voice low and sincere.
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” she says with a sly smile, patting my shoulder and then slowly running her hand down the length of my arm. “You clean up nice.”
Brian approaches, a grin on his face. “Are you going to introduce me to your friend, Leo?”
I watch Vivian take Brian in, her eyes widening slightly. Smiling, she reaches out her hand. “Hi, I’m Vivian. I’m Leo’s next-door neighbor,” she says, giving me a playful nudge .
I know she’s teasing, but God, I’ve been demoted to next-door neighbor? Here’s the thing: it’s a fair assumption that I’m an attractive guy, based on the way women respond to me. But Brian is also an attractive guy, and the last thing I want is these two hitting it off.
“Brian, this is Vivian, my friend, ” I say, emphasizing the word friend and giving her a pointed look. “Viv, this is Brian, my longest childhood friend.”
Brian takes her hand, his smile widening. “Pleasure to meet you, Vivian. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
She returns his smile. “Have you?” she asks, giving me a questioning look. “Good things, I hope?”
“I’d have nothing but good things to say,” I say with a wink.
Brian asks her a question, and before long, they’re talking and laughing like old friends. I can feel a knot tightening in my stomach. I need to steer this conversation before it goes somewhere I can’t control.
“So, Viv,” I say, stepping a bit closer, “can I get you another drink?”
She gives me a playful, confused look, tilting her head slightly. “No, I’m good. I’m still working on this one.” She lifts her glass, showing that it’s still clearly half full.
“God, are they putting something in the water in London?” she says with a teasing smile, her eyes dancing between Brian and me. “How is it that the two of you are both this good-looking and friends since you were kids? I need to know where all the handsome guys from your old neighborhood are hiding because my dating calendar just opened up.” She takes a sip of her drink, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she waits for my reaction.
What kind of game is she playing? Is she trying to make me jealous? If so, it’s working. Every laugh, every flirtatious glance in Brian’s direction feels like a jab.
Brian starts asking her about her job, and soon they’re deep into a work conversation. I stand there, trying to keep my frustration in check. I can’t help but notice how animated Vivian becomes when she talks about her work, her eyes lighting up and her hands gesturing passionately. She loves her job. I watch as she laughs and flirtatiously places a hand on Brian’s arm, his eyes lighting up as she does.
Fuck this.
If she’s trying to prove a point, she’s making it loud and clear. I need to get a grip, but it’s hard when all I can think about is pulling her away from this conversation and reminding her of the chemistry that we have… of her moan when I took her nipple into my mouth, the way she cried out my name and begged to touch me.
“Well hey, maybe we can go grab drinks before you leave town,” I hear Vivian say, snapping me out of my thoughts and the memory of our intense physical interaction, which is making my cock hard.
“Oh, Brian’s not much of a drinker,” I blurt out before I can stop myself, immediately regretting inserting myself into their conversation.
Brian gives me a puzzled look, and I can feel my face heat up. “Sorry, mate, that came out wrong.”
What the hell is wrong with me?
Brian just shakes his head, clearly frustrated with me, but he bounces back quickly. “I actually don’t drink much, Vivian. But I’d like to take you out while I’m here, if you’re interested.” He shoots me a quick, understanding look, letting me know he’s not holding a grudge.
“Of course, I’d go out with you. I’d love that. Find me later, and we’ll talk more about it,” she replies with a warm smile. Then, turning to me briefly, she adds, “I’m going to go find Meredith,” before waving goodbye to us.
* * * * * * * * * *
Brian and I spent most of the night at the craps table, watching the dice roll and cheering each other on. Brian’s been on a hot streak, but I’m down more than I’d like to admit. I can’t find Meredith, and I haven’t seen Vivian. It’s ten to midnight. Normally, by this time, I have an attractive woman on my arm, ready to kiss at midnight, while dazzling her with my charm before taking her home. This year, I’m frantic, searching for Meredith because I need her to talk me off a ledge. The ledge that is Vivian Walker.
I find Piper and she tells me Meredith is meeting her by the bar in a few minutes for a New Year’s Eve kiss at midnight. I tell her to have Meredith find me afterward, not wanting to intrude on their moment.
Five minutes to midnight.
Where the hell is Vivian? I scour the crowd, the room now dimly lit by stringed patio lights across the ceiling. Normally, I’d be appreciating this ambiance, taking it all in, thinking about my last year and the new year ahead. Instead, I’ve turned into a crazed lunatic in need of meds; my drug of choice: Vivian.
Two minutes to midnight. Meredith’s big countdown clock, with its large red numbers, is displayed prominently in the center of the wall.
My eyes catch sight of Vivian on the other side of the room… with Brian. A knot forms in the pit of my stomach as the clock hits forty-five seconds. I make my way across the room, weaving through the crowd.
Ten, nine, eight—I’m halfway to her. Seven, six, five—I’m close, but I won’t make it through the crowd. Four, three, two, one—“Happy New Year!” echoes off the walls, but my eyes are glued to Vivian and Brian. They lean in, their movements slow and deliberate, as if in a scene playing out in slow motion. Their lips meet, and it feels like I’ve been punched in the balls. They separate briefly, eyes locked, before kissing again. Vivian’s arms wrap around Brian’s neck, his around her back.
Everything swirls around me, and I feel like I’m going to be sick.