I don't know why I even try. If that's what my father thinks of me, then that's what I'll be. It's so much easier just to give in.
Chapter Twenty-Two
"Maybe you should just sit this one out," Carter says as we pull up to the gates of Nikki's house.
"You can just park in the driveway," I tell him. "I gave you the guest list like you asked. And it's her birthday."
"You've going out almost every night," he argues, pulling the car over to the side of the gravel drive.
"And I've stayed in the VIP areas or gone to members-only places. I'm not doing this to make your life difficult, OK? This is just what I want to do," I quickly get out of the car and walk toward the front door. I feel a headache coming on.
"You've only missed a week of classes. You could still—"
"No, I couldn't," I cut him off as I step inside. I place the gift I got for Nikki on the table, already piled high with presents, and hurry toward the open bar that's been set up in the formal living room. Or where the formal living room used to be, because it looks like she's had most of the furniture on this floor put in storage for the party. "Vodka soda," I tell the bartender. Important to not have too many calories when you're drinking every day.
I spot Nikki in the center of the room and hurry over. Carter trails his now standard ten steps behind me. She gives me a big hug when she sees me, and nods her head suggestively behind her.
"What?" I frown, confused by her body language.
"Look behind me. But don't be obvious," she says through gritted teeth. I do my best to glance unobtrusively behind her and do a double take as I spot William Easting. "Now's your chance."
"I don't know," I reply, sipping my drink. "Do you think he'll be mad? I didn't answer any of his calls."
"Ugh, are you crazy? If I weren't married... Well, it's a good thing you look sexy as fuck right now," she says.
"He's coming over. Don't look!" I groan, as she glances back.
"Alexa!" he greets me. "Good to see you. I was beginning to worry you'd left for Europe again without saying goodbye."
"No, no, just laying low for a bit."
"How's school?"
"On the backburner, actually. Figured what's the point, you know? Might as well have some fun instead," I smile, and down the rest of my drink.
"Exactly!" Nikki crows. "Well, I'll leave you two alone. If you'll excuse me..."
"Don't look now, but I think you're being followed," William leans down to murmur in my ear.
"No, I know," I tell him. "He's sort of my bodyguard, actually. You met him at the gala in December."
"Of course, the Marine. Probably a good idea. Can I get you another drink?" he asks, laying his hand on my back.
"Please," I reply. A few minutes later, drinks in hand, we locate one of a handful of couches lining the walls and sit down. William places his arm around the back of the couch just above my shoulders, and I take a long, slow drink. It feels nice just to sit, and let everything sort of glide over me.
"I don't know how you can wear these," William remarks, running his hand from my knee down to my ankle and picking up my foot, sheathed in a high, red heel.
"Well, I am glad to be sitting down," I admit. "What about these collars?" I ask, running my fingers over his starched white shirt where it hits his neck.
"I love wearing suits. This is bespoke. I can never go back to off-the-rack now. Wow, you can really put them away," he says with a laugh as he looks down at my empty glass.
"I always drink more when I'm nervous," I flirt.
"Do I make you nervous?" he asks with a grin. I smile, though the truth is that he doesn't. It's just fun to flirt with someone who doesn't take everything so seriously, who doesn't challenge me at every step of the way—
"Fireworks outside, everyone!" Nikki calls out from the doorway of the room. William gives me a hand to help me stand, and we breeze by Carter, who has one of his impenetrable expressions on his face.
We head into the backyard and William pulls me a little ways to the side, under a trellis covered with vines. As we look up to watch the fireworks, I feel his hand slide over my ass. I feel a nice tingle up my back, though it's nothing to write home about. Still, William is fun, charming...wealthy. I sip the rest of his drink. Just the kind of guy to settle down with. It's easy for me to picture our lives together: days full of shopping, long trips to Europe on our yacht, gossiping with Nikki at the country club...
Just as the grand finale begins to die down, William turns and pulls me against him. Just before he kisses me I smell his breath, minty, with a hint of menthol. His lips are dry, and my head is swimming. His hand grabs my arm, and suddenly I'm being pulled back.