Chapter Eleven
Sienna
Spencer walked up to Noah,holding out a beer. “I’m glad you decided to join us.”
Noah held up his hand. “Sorry man, I’m not here for the party. I got blocked in by a white Lamborghini.” He glanced at me, and it was clear he knew who the white Lamborghini belonged to.
“Oh, that’s Oakley.” Spencer glanced through the crowd. “Yo, Oakley. We need you to pull your flashy car out of the way, man.” He then turned his attention to Noah. “You sure you don’t want to join us?”
“Yeah. I have somewhere I need to be.”
My heart flipped inside my chest. “You have a date?” I couldn’t stop myself. The words just rolled out of my mouth.
Noah looked at me, and it felt like time stopped, that one moment lasting a lifetime. There was no one else. Just us and the tension that threatened to snap like a rubber band. But I’d be a liar if I said his subtle rejection didn’t leave a mark.
“No. It’s not a date,” he replied, staring at me.
“Well then,” Spencer placed an arm around his shoulder, “there’s no excuse. You’re staying.”
“I really can’t.”
“Why?” I chimed in, taking a step forward. “What reason could you possibly have for not staying?”
He smirked, rubbing his stubbly beard with his thumb and forefinger, his eyes etched on mine. “Fine. I’ll stay for one drink.”
Cleo stepped in next to me, handing me a glass of champagne which I took without breaking eye contact with Noah. There was this giant vortex of mixed emotions spinning inside me. I wanted him, yet I hated him for pushing me away. I desired him, yet I wanted to show him I didn’t need him. I craved to be burned by him, yet I disliked the flame he so easily extinguished with one word.Mistake.
“Great.” I flipped my hair over my shoulder, taking a large gulp of my champagne—so fucking ladylike—before brushing past him. But I wasn’t prepared for his intoxicating scent of red pepper, nutmeg, and patchouli to assault me. My stomach clenched, my chest tightening with the reminder of him, me, us, and the fire that threatened to burn us to ash.
For what felt like forever, I pretended to be the social glamour girl everyone knew and loved. I laughed, drank champagne, danced, and successfully avoided Noah—who surprisingly stayed longer than just one beer. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t aware of him the entire time, feeling his gaze on me, caressing my skin.
“Yo, Sienna,” Spencer called. “Get over here. I want you to meet someone.”
I smiled, heels clicking across the patio as I walked toward Spencer and a guy I didn’t recognize.
Just one glance at Spencer, and I knew my brother had had one drink too many. Unlike Silas and me, Spencer was kind of a lightweight when it came to alcohol.
Spencer wrapped an arm around my shoulder as I joined them. “Andrew, this is my little sister I told you about.”
Andrew’s amber eyes narrowed as he held out his hand. “Sienna. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“I have a feeling my brother wasn’t very selective about the things he told you about me.”
Andrew grinned. “Don’t worry. It’s all good.”
“That’s a relief.” I smiled.
Spencer pointed his beer at Andrew. “This guy is the best Lacrosse player ever.”
“I wouldn’t exactly say that.” Andrew’s cheeks turned a subtle shade of pink.
“Oh, stop being modest. Whoops,” Spencer studied his almost empty beer bottle, “time for a refill. Can I get you guys anything?”
“I’m good,” I replied.
Andrew held up his half-empty beer. “Me too.”
“Awesome. I’ll be right back.”