Everything he says is so… perfect. Now he’s here, proving I’m an idiot for entertaining the thought we might could somehow work things out.
The drool-worthy blond on his arm is wearing a short, sparkly dress that makes her look like she’s ready for the runway. Here I am, looking like a prude - a fat prude.
My heart almost breaks, and Billy walks up to wrap his arm around my shoulders before kissing the top of my head.
“You okay, girl?” he asks, his eyes floating over to find where my gaze is burning.
“Yeah. It’s not like I thought he was going to come in and sweep me off my feet. He’s still Tag. I shouldn’t have ever gotten Tagged.”
***
Tag
I prepared myself for seeing her. I rehearsed all the casual, cordial lines I might share, should she offer to engage in conversation with me. I did all my prepping, but I didn’t prepare to see the pain in her eyes when she saw me with another girl.
My breath hurts as it catches in my throat. Her blue dress matches her stormy blue eyes that are glistening with restrained tears. I put those tears there.
She’s not wearing her usual, tight, showy style. This dress is more... conservative, though her cleavage is still exposed. I swear her breasts have doubled in size, making my cock fully erect upon the sight of them.
Her knee-length dress is more flowing than formfitting, with a ruffled center that hides her perfect body. Why is she covering her beautiful figure?
“Tag,” Melanie murmurs as she walks over to hug me, distracting me.
I return the embrace, and then she fights the urge to turn her nose up when she pulls back and stares at my date.
“And who is this?”
“It’s Carmen,” I murmur, my eyes moving back to Ash whose back is now facing me.
“Actually, it’s Crystal,” the girl I shouldn’t have brought corrects, and Melanie stifles a laugh.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Crystal.”
“Sorry,” I mumble while grabbing a glass of champagne from a tray a waiter is carrying.
She
rolls her eyes as she grabs her own, and then she laces her fingers with mine as though she’s letting all the women know she’s here with me.
“Well, I need to get back to Ash. We’re about to auction off one of her birthmother’s painting.”
My eyebrows raise. “Birthmother?”
Melanie tilts her head, finding my confusion intriguing.
“You didn’t know? Ash’s mother died when she was two. She was a rather renowned artist, and she left all of her works to Ash.”
“I thought… but she calls her father’s wife her mother.”
“Yes, Emily and Jacob got married when Ash was just starting kindergarten. She raised her as if she was her own. I’m surprised you didn’t know this. That’s why she’s so good with design. She has an artist in her.”
As if I didn’t already want to go to her. Now, hearing what she’s giving up for charity, I really want to go be with her. I’m sure it’s going to be an emotional night for her, and I’m here with another girl.
When I look up again, Ash and Bity are gone.
“I’ll see you later, Melanie. I need to go do something.”
I ditch my date, and I dart toward Shane, my new assistant, who came to help out with the charity.