Chapter 17
Tobias
I watch as Harrison and Hunter get back into the limo, and the driver pulls away. With my mind made up, I head towards my apartment building. They said I could bring a plus one tonight and that there’d be masks at the door, so naturally my first thought went to Rainbow.
Then, like an apparition, she stepped out of my apartment building looking ethereal, her gorgeous candy floss pink hair falling in loose waves, her face partially covered by a masquerade mask. And that dress hugging her in all the right places had my dick twitching in appreciation.
She’s all I’ve thought about since she snuck out on me after the most amazing weekend of my life.
And for the first time, going out never looked so good.
As I make my way up to my apartment, my phone buzzes in my suit jacket pocket. For a moment, I think it might be Rainbow, but the chances are slim to none. When I pull it free, I find Ric’s name flashing across the screen.
Ric: Hey, don’t suppose you fancy coming out tonight?
Me: As it happens, I just saw Harrison and Hunter. They gave me 2 tickets for Midsummer Masquerade if you fancy it.
Ric: It’s like you read my mind.
Me: I’ll get ready, meet you in an hour.
Ric: Cool, cool.
I’m ready in less than half an hour. After a quick shower, I put on my evening suit, then make my way down to Ric’s apartment.
I knock on the door, and Ric opens it with a quirk of his eyebrow when he sees me.
“No key?” he asks, holding out his fist in greeting.
I shake my head. “Nope, I’ve not seen Bow to get it back.”
He turns and heads down the hallway, and I follow behind him.
Guilt swarms me. I need to say something to him, but not before I speak to Bow.
“How did she seem to you while I was away?” he asks, grabbing me a beer from the fridge.
Twisting off the cap, I bring it to my lips and take a long pull, then clear my throat.
“She was fine,” I reply, cringing internally. “Why do you ask?”
He leans back against the counter.
“Honestly, I’m worried about her,” he admits, swirling his beer in the bottle.
“I know she comes across like she’s always happy, but she’s good at masking when she’s not.
Coming to Mayfair was a fresh start for her.
Her last boyfriend was an arsehole, said she wasn’t the type of girl you take home to meet the parents. ”
“What the fuck?” I clench my fist, grinding my jaw. I’m not a violent person, but that alone makes me want to track the cunt down and smash his teeth in.
“Yep, I never met the guy. Otherwise, I’d have taught him a lesson.”
“You and me both,” I reply, bringing my beer to my lips and polishing it off.
“Anyway. So yeah, she’s at Midsummer Masquerade tonight, so I just want to make sure she’s okay, you know?”
I frown. “Cock block her, you mean?”
The words leave my mouth before I can filter them. That sounded wrong, even to my own ears.
“Well, if it’s unwanted, yeah, of course.”
“And if it’s not?” I question, wondering if trying to gauge his answer is a good idea. I feel like a dick. Was I her rebound? Does she regret what we did? Is that why she ran?
“Hmm. I guess we’ll have to see if whoever she might be with is good enough.”
Fair enough. I throw my empty bottle into his recycling bin. “Best shake a leg then,” I say, tilting my head towards his half-buttoned shirt and bare feet.
He salutes me and makes his way back to his bedroom. I consider grabbing another beer but think better of it.
When he returns, running his fingers through his hair, it’s only then that I stop pacing.
“Someone is unusually eager to get out tonight,” he says, grabbing his wallet, phone, and keys.
“I can neither confirm nor deny.”
We make our way through the building and are hit with a concrete wall of heat as we step out onto the pavement. Luck must be on our side, though, as a taxi drops off a fare.
It doesn’t take long before we’re pulling up outside the club. There’s a queue, but thankfully we don’t have to wait. There are some perks to knowing the owners.
Inside, the air conditioning is a welcome reprieve from this heatwave we’re having. We’re each given a lightweight black mask. Any other time, I’d grumble at having to wear something like this, but if it’s the price I have to pay to see Bow again, it’s worth it.
I’ve been here a few times, but never for one of their Masquerades.
Venetian elegance blends with a vibrant seasonal flair, tropical colours and floral motifs decorating the space.
Servers weave through the crowd carrying trays of themed cocktails.
Lifesize flamingos are placed around the main floor, which is brimming with people dressed in cocktail dresses, flowing gowns, and summer suits.
But all I’m really interested in is finding Rainbow amongst the sea of people.
“I’m going to get a drink. You want anything?” Ric asks.
“A beer, please.” I don’t think it’s a good idea to drink spirits, not if I want to keep a clear head when I speak to Bow, because we will be talking tonight.
And that’s when I get a glimpse of candy floss pink waves. Sure enough, the crowd parts around her, giving me the perfect view.
Fuck me, she’s ethereal.
As much as I want to head straight over, I force myself to follow Ric to the bar. Besides, it’s nice seeing her enjoy herself. If it’s not with me, at least it’s amongst her friends.
It’s not like I’ve really thought this through. As much as I want to talk to her, I also have my best friend to consider. Granted, it’s probably a little late for that now that I’ve crossed the line with his sister, yet I don’t regret it. Not where Bow is concerned.
Ric passes me a premium bottle of beer. For some reason, unlike me, he never seems to have an issue being served straight away.
He’s charismatic, where I am not.
“Cheers.” He holds the neck of the bottle to mine.
“Cheers,” I reply, clinking it lightly against his.
I take a deep pull of the cool, refined flavour and face the dance floor.
My gaze zones in on Bow as she dances and laughs at something her friends are saying. I notice the moment Ric spots her, too.
“Shall we go say hello?” I ask, my good intentions flying out of the window.
“Yeah.”
We make our way across the dance floor, my heart thumping harder in my chest the closer we get. Harrison whispers something to Ari, who points over Bow’s shoulder, and she turns to face us. Her eyes meet mine before shifting to Ric.
“Good to see you came,” Hunter says, bumping his fist with mine and then Ric’s. Harrison steps up and greets us the same way. When we first met, telling them apart was hard, but over time, you start to notice their differences.
“Thanks for the tickets,” I say to the twins.
“Surprise,” Ric says to Bow, holding out his arms.
She smiles, but it seems forced as she glances between the two of us again.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” she asks, staring at Ric, but I feel as though the question is really for me.
I stuff my free hand into my trouser pocket to stop from reaching out and pulling her in for a kiss. All I can think about is what her mouth tastes like, the fullness of her lips as they touch mine.
Fuck, she’s beautiful. The lighting has her hair practically sparkling, and I know if I lean in close enough, I’ll get her signature scent—sweet and delicious.
I don’t hear what Ric says to her in response, too consumed by the absolute vision within touching distance.
“Oh shit,” Ari says on a groan. “Did you know he was working tonight?” she asks the twins. They all stare at their friend Abi, who is having what appears to be a heated debate with a guy holding a tray of drinks.
“She’s fine, baby,” Harrison says.
Abi shakes her head at whatever the guy says and looks away, but he reaches out, his thumb and forefinger gripping her jaw and drawing her attention back to him.
I have no idea what he’s saying, but it’s enough for her to step out of his grip.
She grabs a drink from his tray, and downs it, then places the empty glass back on the tray with more force than necessary.
He smirks as she turns her back on him and heads in our direction.
Her eyes dart between our small crowd, and her lips rise into a smirk as she stops in front of me, her hand moving to my bicep.
“How about a dance?” she asks.
I internally cringe and take a step back because there is only one woman I want to dance with, and she’s currently talking to her brother.
“Good luck with that,” Ric says. It’s in this moment I’m grateful my friend knows me well enough to come to my defence. Not that Abi was hitting on me, it’s clear there’s something with the guy who is currently staring daggers in our direction.
And when she smiles back at me and winks, I know I’m right.
“Looks like you just volunteered as tribute,” she replies to Ric, reaching out to grab his hand, and leading him onto the dance floor.
I turn back to Bow and step up to her. “We need to talk,” I tell her.
She worries her lip before replying. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea,” she says, fiddling with her clutch as she glances at Ari. Was that a silent cry for help?
Ari looks to Harrison and Hunter.
“Is there any private place they can go?” she asks them.
Harrison and Hunter exchange a silent conversation before Harrison nods and steps forward.
“Outside is open to patrons tonight, but I have somewhere else you can go.”
Ari reaches out and touches Bow’s shoulder. “It’s okay. I’ll cover for you; you need to talk.”
At first, Bow doesn’t move, and I think she’s going to deny me, but then Ari nudges her forward.
Thankfully, she relents and waves her hand in front of her. “Lead the way,” she says to Harrison.
I wait for her to follow and then fall into step beside her, desperate to touch her, to reach for her hand. If I didn’t know it before, I sure as hell do now. I am utterly and undeniably well and truly fucked when it comes to my best friend’s sister.