the specialists at the spa, and I haven’t felt this beautiful and more alive in a long time.
“If I take that shot I will be as drunk as you two.” I laugh, but Marissa shoves the glass at me. We went out for dinner and drank margaritas before we arrived at the club, and the girls have had one or possibly two too many.
“And you’re having so much fun doing it.” Tina laughs and takes the shot from Marissa and shoots it herself. Marissa turns to the table behind her, then back, holding another shot in her hand. The music is loud, a thumping beat can be felt throughout my entire body, as she hands it to me.
“Drink!” she screams.
This time being given not a lot of choice, I take it and shoot it back. It burns as it goes down, and they both laugh and squeal in delight.
We dance.
Dance until they need more alcohol.
Me, I just have water, and then decide to head to the bathroom.
Walking away from my girls, I spot Sydney in the crowd at the same time as Tina. She walks over and throws her body at her, lips crashing down on hers as they make out. Guys cheer next to them, which they don’t seem to hear, or even care about.
I’m sure Sydney wants to marry Tina.
Problem is, I’m not sure Tina is ready for that, though. She has never wanted to get married, and I think she’s told Sydney that.
Marissa hooks her arm through mine, pulling me over to them. I was trying to give them their privacy, which is silly considering we’re in a packed club and privacy is extremely difficult to find. Let’s face it, the guys hooting around them don’t give a damn about their privacy.
“You two stop, this isn’t a make-out session.” Marissa laughs and pulls me back to our table. When we sit, Tina and Sydney join us not long after.
Sydney pauses when she sees me. “Happy Birthday.”
“Thank you.” I offer her a small smile.
“I hope you don’t mind me coming,” Sydney asks.
I look at Tina who’s watching us both. “Of course, I don’t. You’re with Tina, and I love Tina,” I reply, smiling to Tina. Sydney breathes a sigh of relief before more drinks are brought to the table.
“Oh my God, Sebastian. What are you doing here?” Marissa stands.
Looking over my shoulder, I find her brother standing there, the one she tried to set me up with all that time ago, and he’s rubbing his chin in confusion.
“You invited me,” he says, stating the obvious.
Tina and I burst into laughter. The man has no idea how to be subtle.
I feel him sit next to me on the bench sofa seat, Marissa’s perched on the other side of me.
“Nice one, Sebastian,” Marissa says with an eye roll.
I try not to put too much thought into him sitting next to me and especially this close.
“Thea, Sebastian’s still single.”
“Smooth, real smooth, Marissa,” Sebastian states from next to me. He reaches for a drink and slams it down fast.
“I think she means well,” I say, turning to face him.
He’s grimacing when he says, “Look, I like you and all, but I’m not up for being turned down a second time.” He laughs.
“Well, I think you’re great, from what I know of you anyway.” I smirk. “But I’m not ready for anything just yet. So, maybe Marissa can find you a woman who is.”
He leans in. “I don’t need help finding a woman. It seems Marissa likes to dabble in places that don’t warrant her dabbling.”
“But she means well,” I say.
Marissa lands on my lap, her hands going around my neck. “You should just kiss, see if there’s any spark,” Marissa says, looking between me and her brother.
“You’re crazy,” I tell her.
“Really? Honestly, what harm could it do? Just… kiss,” Marissa says, getting off me after she kisses my cheek quickly. She leans down to her brother and smiles. “Kiss the woman.” Then she pushes his head until he’s facing me and we are inches apart.
“She can be annoying until she gets what she wants,” Sebastian tells me, my eyes dropping to his lips.
Okay, so it’s just a kiss.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been kissed by anyone but Atlas, and pre-Atlas it was even longer. Actually, I don’t even remember anyone before him.
“She certainly is,” I reply, my eyes flicking to his lips again then back to his eyes.
Sebastian leans in, and my breathing almost stops as his lips gently touch