A bartender scurries through the rope, a bucket of ice and whiskey in one hand and a glass in the other. Eyes follow his movements to where I’m sitting, and almost everyone recognizes me right away. There’s no criticism on their faces—only awe. Envy. Lust. Everything but the one thing I couldn’t fucking stand.
The man sets the bucket and glass on the table smothered in vines before the couch, and I wave him away before he can speak. He hurries away without a word. I stare at the bottle, the amber liquid lit up by the strobe lights from the dance floor. My fingers twitch, itching to take it up and pour a knuckle, but I hold myself back. Just to see if I can.
Seconds pass. The music changes to a darker, more thrilling beat. Bodies twist before me, each person melting into the next. My hands remain where they are in my lap, my eyes never leaving that fucking bottle.
“Funny seeing you here.”
My head snaps up. Blair stands before me, hands resting on her leather-clad hips as she studies me. Her brilliant green halter top stands out from the shadows surrounding us, nearly as bright as her red hair, and I curse myself for not having noticed her sooner.
“What do you want?” I snap, my resolve finally breaking. I reach for the bottle, pouring myself a glass before plunking an ice cube into the dark liquid. I swirl the glass, watching her over the rim.
“Just wanted to see if you’d enjoy some company,” she replies smoothly, making a pointed attempt to glance at the empty chairs beside me.
I open my mouth to refuse, to tell her off, but then think better of it. I’m here alone—drinking—and for the first time in a year, that’s bothering me. I motion to the couch beside me instead, waiting for her to slip beside me before taking another sip. She calls security, asking for another glass before turning back to me.
“So, what brings you here tonight? From what I hear, you’ve pretty much stayed away from the party scene.” She smiles as if this is a secret just between us. Blair was always good at that—making you feel special. Like you were the only one in the world on her radar. I’d fallen for it all too easily, so desperate to have at least one person to myself.
“A lapse in judgment,” I reply coldly. She doesn’t even blink at my hostility, her lips twitching in amusement.
“Well, I’m glad I’m here to witness it.”
I shoot her a warning look. I might have invited her to stay, but that could always change.
“Chill. I’m here to have fun. Just like you.” Her laugh is light, but I can see the darkness in her eyes. She doesn’t like how cold I’m being towards her.
I’m not exactly sure what she expected coming back. She’d cheated on me and then left, flying across the ocean just to escape me while I’d been stuck here to pick up the damn pieces. If she’d thought she could come back and everything would be the same, then she wasn’t as smart as I remembered her being.
Blair scoots closer, trailing a nail down my bare arm. Before, that would have elicited some sort of reaction, usually positive. Now, I only felt my skin crawling. I glance at her out of the corner of my eye. Her hair isn’t as shiny as I remember; those cat-like blue eyes are just slightly more calculating. Her nails remind me more of claws now, and she looks like she’s trying a bit too hard with that outfit.
I turn away, dismissing her entirely. She must sense me losing interest. Scooting closer, she watches the bartender place another glass on the table before she swipes it up to pour herself a drink. Turning towards me, she raises it, clinking it against mine when I don’t react.
“Salud,” she says jokingly, downing it in one go before pouring another. I tense as she curls up on the couch beside me, her shoulder pressing to mine, her face way too close.
She nudges me. “Come on, Kill. Let’s have some fun tonight. Just like old times.”
“Hmm,” I glance around, “maybe you can find another man to run off with…just like old times.”
Her smile slips from her face, eyes narrowing. “Hilarious. I’m just trying to help you loosen up. You seem tense.”
“Oh, that can’t possibly be because I’m sitting next to the ex who betrayed me,” I reply sarcastically.
“I’m just trying to help.”
“I don’t want your help,” I snarl. “I came here to get away from the bullshit. Not jump right back into it.”
Blair sniffs, pulling away, and I can finally breathe again. “Well, if you’re trying to get away from the bullshit, then you got here just in time.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask irritably. My patience is running thin.
“Your fiancée was just here.” Her glass slams on the table, emphasizing her words.
I freeze. “What did you just say?”
Blair stands, looking smug. “Oh, she didn’t tell you? She just left a few minutes before you arrived. Looking for me, apparently.”
“And why,” I growl, “would she have been looking for you?”
Blair shrugs, her scrawny shoulders flexing. “She found out we used to date. Must have assumed that I would tell her something about you.” Her lips curl. “Which I did.”