13. Chapter 12
Ria
“Who the hell does that asshole think he is?” Grace rages as she starts to pull at her costume, stripping down to her underwear. She spins, her hands on her hips. “I know Trixie didn’t tell him that the boys were here, but where does he get off thinking he can speak to and treat her like that?”
“I know.” I pass her the red mini dress hanging on the back of her door, and she slips into it. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him that angry.” I frown as I start to peel my bodysuit off. I know we had our heated arguments, but he was never as possessive with me as he was just then with Trixie.
“Yeah, but you put him in his place, babe.” She straightens out her dress before throwing me my deep blue mini.
“It may have had the right effect on him, but I don’t know. I just felt like he has something else he isn’t telling me.” I pull my dress over my head before fluffing out my hair.
“You’ve got nothing to worry about; that portfolio is as good as yours.” Reapplying her lipstick in the mirror, she smacks her lips together. “Now get your cute butt ready. The night’s not over.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen this side of Noah.” Grace squints as she watches Noah dance with not one, not two, but three beautiful women.
“And it’s something I don’t want to see.” I groan. “Babe, stop looking at my brother like that.” I push her shoulder as she bites her bottom lip and gives my brother a look that he is returning.
“What? Girl, you know you have hot brothers.” She takes a sip of her cocktail, still looking at Noah.
“Grace!” I whine.
“What?” She giggles, returning her gaze to me. “Don’t worry. I’ve only really ever had eyes for Papa Stone.”
“Seriously, Grace, stop.” I bark out a laugh.
“Just trying to get you to smile. You've had that frown line and the vein in your forehead has been pulsing since dickface appeared.”
“Sorry.”
“Stop that.” She holds her finger up. “You do not apologize for your feelings.”
“I know.”
“Good. Now down that,”—she motions to the shot at my side—“and then that one.” The bartender places another, I think tequila, shot down and I raise an eyebrow at my bestie.
“You trying to get me drunk?”
“There is no trying; it’s happening.” She downs her shot. “Now drink up.”
It happened.
Grace succeeded.
The world is spinning, but I don’t think I’m moving. I know the world is always spinning but we don’t feel it. But right now I’m being thrown around like a rag doll and not in a good way.
Spotting a bench, I sway on my heels toward it.
I’m not sure how many shots I’ve had, but I’ve definitely reached my limit.
Taking in a few deep breaths, I try to focus and clear the brain fog that has settled. Man, I forget that for such a small girl, Grace can drink. Add in Lily’s influence and need to drink away her anger, and let’s say I’ll be feeling this in the morning.
The tequila has done its job blocking out the ridiculous thoughts of Ezra that ran through my head after seeing him and his reaction and treatment of Trixie.
My feet ache from dancing, my face aches from smiling at Grace and Lily together, but my heart aches for something else.
I sigh as a man dressed in a tuxedo rushes down the Strip, the bright lights of Vegas his backdrop. A woman is clutched in his embrace, dressed in a floaty white dress that is whipping around the man’s body.
“I’ve married the love of my life!” he screams, his elated bride giggling uncontrollably in his arms, her veil trailing behind her as she gazes up at her new husband. The look of absolute adoration on her face is infectious.
I clap along with everyone else around me who has paused to watch the happy couple.
Just as they run past me, she throws her bouquet and it falls straight into my lap.
Softly, I brush the tips of my fingers over the delicate petals of the blue tulips that have been lovingly twisted into a stunningly beautiful masterpiece.
I’ve always loved tulips. There is beauty in their simplicity that captures me.
My chest tightens as I watch the couple sprint down the Strip, not a care in the world, just love and excitement for the life they’re going to build together.
I’ve been lucky to witness true love with my parents—the love and respect they have and how they build each other up and never hold the other back.
They are each other's number-one cheerleader but also their safe space to just be who they’re meant to be.
I want that.
Hunter and Jade have it, and so did Noah until fate had other ideas.
Dropping my shoulders, I watch the happy couple until they’re out of sight.
“Crazy what love makes people do, isn’t it?” Leo flops down next to me, sighing.
“You ever had that feeling?”
“What feeling?”
“The feeling of being so in love that you’ll do anything for someone. You’ll happily act a fool just to make someone smile?”
He fidgets next to me as he leans his elbows on his thighs, interlocking his fingers. “Bit deep, Ri Ri.”
“Sorry.” I pause. “I guess I want that.” I gesture with the bouquet in the direction the couple went.
“Someone to scream that they’re mine and not care who hears.
Someone to want to be seen with me. And not just for the contacts I have.
” I continue to stroke the tulip petals as I think of how Ezra used me and my family to get his foot in the door and then dropped me without a word when he got his connections and made his money.
I was nothing to him but a means to get to the top.
“Trust me, Ri Ri, that man is out there.” He turns, giving me a small smile.
“But where?” I groan. “Ugh, I’m being such a sap.”
Chuckling, he sits up and wraps his arm around my shoulder, and on instinct I curl into his warmth. Kissing the top of my head, he says, “Want to do something stupid?”
I beam up at him with a devilish stare. “Definitely.”