a hand reached out and stopped me. The firm hold and way I felt my arm ignite by the touch told me it was Corey.
“What the fuck are you doing, Danielle?” His voice growled into my ear from behind me. The heat from his furious voice tickled my neck and made my hair on the back of my neck rise. Damn—definitely not the response I was hoping for.
I turned to face him and couldn’t help my wandering eyes as I took in his black on black suit. It was tailored to fit his muscular body and brought out the beautiful thick lashes that surrounded those deep blue pools glaring back at me.
“I’m taking a shot. If you want one you’ll have to get it yourself, because this one is mine.” Just as I tried to take it, Corey wrapped his hand around mine and poured the shot down his own throat.
“Why are you standing over here drinking enough tequila to give you alcohol poisoning? And why is my fucking employee letting this happen?!” The second question was shot at Sanders, who held up his hands in defense.
“Don’t yell at him! He’s my employee tonight too, and he is just following orders.” Corey’s icy glare shifted from Sanders back to me.
“Yes, but he already had orders of what I expected from him tonight.” My mouth gaped open, incredulously.
“So now you get to decide if I get to drink or not!? You know what, why don’t you leave me the hell alone and go back to your girlfriend. I’m sure she’s getting lonely without you there to keep her warm.”
This time it was Corey that stared at me in disbelief. “She isn’t my girlfriend and I definitely didn’t invite her here.”
“Right.” I sneered.
His arms crossed over his chest as he eyed me down. “I’m fucking serious, Danielle, my mother didn’t want any open seats at our table. So when I told her the girl I’m in love with dumped my ass and would not be joining us this evening, she asked Simone to come. Simone is a family friend and is getting married to her fiancé in a few months.”
“Whatever Corey, go back to your family and leave me alone.” I turned away from him to get another shot but his hand clamped around my upper arm.
“Don’t you pull that jealous shit on me right now, Danielle. Not only did you let another guy give you a bath with his mouth in front of my face, but then you tossed me out of your life without blinking an eye.”
“I’m not jealous! Don’t mistake me feeling nauseated by the high-price hooker you brought with, as jealousy. Do whatever the hell you want, because you’re right—I did toss you out. Now get away from me!” My hands shoved against his chest, before I whipped back around to down the next shot waiting for me. Sanders gave me an apologetic look, which I responded to with a reassuring smile. When I turned back to face Corey, I shoved my shoulder against his as I stumbled past him.
I lost count of how many shots I’ve downed but from the wobbly feeling in my legs, to the numb tingly sensation coursing through my veins, told me—I’ve had a lot. There was no real destination in my mind when I stomped away from Corey, mostly I just hoped he’d give up and go back to Simone so I could return to the bar. During my lap around the room, I was stopped by an absolutely stunning Karly. Her long hair was pulled up into some intricate design with jewels strategically placed over the bobby pins. Then I looked down to her mermaid style white dazzling dress, speckled with jewels. For a brief moment I saw her and realized I would never get the kind of happiness that now found Karly.
“Oh Dani, are you okay? I just saw you and Corey fighting.”
“Karly, this is your big day, don’t worry about us for even a second.” Her white gloved hands took hold of my forearms as she leaned in to me. My vision was blurring from the copious amounts of tequila I sucked down, but I tried to pay attention.
“I don’t care what day it is, Danielle. You’re family to me and I absolutely hate what’s happening between the two of you. This needs to stop, you are both absolutely miserable apart but when you’re together its absolute magic.”
An emotionless smile tugged against my mouth. “Magic isn’t real, Karly. Heartbreak