“So cool you had to bring two dates?” Billy scoffs, his distaste and envy sliding off his tongue.
Tag smirks, his eyes still holding my gaze as he replies, “Actually, one was for you. I never planned on you having a date. I thought I’d be generous and bring an extra.”
I take a deep breath, my heart’s beat becoming erratic and crazy. He won’t stop staring! It's been too long without a source of release to endure this smoldering gaze for much longer.
“As you can see, I’ve got the prettiest girl at the party,” Billy proudly boasts, and my cheeks redden instantly.
I’ll kick your ass later for that, Billy Prize.
“I see that. I’m assuming you two are just friends,” Tag adds suspiciously, his eyes studying mine for waver.
“We’ve been friends since our sophomore year at high school, but we decided to start dating a few days ago. We’re going to test drive our new relationship this weekend and see how it goes,” Billy answers with his rehearsed speech.
“I see,” Tag says with a grin. “So nothing serious, then?”
The way he’s looking at me is so carnal, so predatory. It’s enough to make the knot in my throat too big to swallow against.
“Not yet, but it will be,” Billy quickly adds, his arm sliding around my waist as he pretends to stake his claim.
Remembering why I’m here, I slip my arm around him, and then I lean in to kiss him on his cheek. Tag’s smile lifts up slightly as one of his giggling bimbos returns with a whiskey for him. His eyes don’t leave me though, further complicating my crumbling state.
“I need to go to the restroom,” I say with a surprisingly smooth, unshaken, unaffected tone.
I have to go compose myself. It’s been too damn long, and this isn’t the type a guy I need to be around.
“Leaving so soon?” Tag asks. “I haven’t even had the pleasure of making introductions.”
“Ash,” I quickly murmur, seeming dismissive and disengaging in my brisk tone.
“Well, Ash, do you have a last name?”
“Brander-”
Before I can finish, Melanie comes running toward us with a shrill pitch.
“You crazy kids! Ashiara, I just spoke to you. Why didn’t you tell me the two of you were finally dating?” she squeals as she throws her arms around me, almost suffocating me instantly with her clingy, jovial embrace.
Tag’s face tightens, his playful grin dissipating, as if he never believed I was with Billy until right now.
I laugh as I hug her back, and then a pang of guilt hits. She’s always wanted us together, but Billy and I have zero chemistry in that sort of way. Now I feel bad for being so deceptive.
“You’ll cut off all her air, Mother,” Billy teases.
A tall, broad shouldered guy walks toward us with a smile on his face. I can tell by his features who he has to be.
“Mom, are you attacking the guests?” the guy, who I have to assume is Wren, says.
She giggles as she finally releases her suffocating hold.
“You two are such men,” she says while playfully swatting at her two boys.
Wow. Wren is so much taller than poor Billy who has had a complex about his height his whole life. I’m almost certain that’s why he’s so smitten with Rene.
She’s petite and barely five-feet tall.
“What’s all
the fuss about?” Wren asks while pulling Melanie to him for a hug.