But I know better. Yes, life is simpler without her. But, I’m not better off.
“Stone?”
I grimace and turn around to face Celine.
She’s a friend of Tyson’s from the gym. We talked on the phone a couple of nights ago, and she ticks all of my boxes. Sexy, smart—she can hang with me on a hike and climb, and then talk to me about all of the things that interest me - movies, books, food, travel, family, politics.
I have zero interest in her. Because, no matter how great she is, she’s not Regan.
“Hey, sorry. I was just wrapping up some work. Did you find the place okay?”
She smiles - it’s sweet and sincere and does nothing to stir my interest. “Yeah, this is nice,” she says, and tucks a lock of hair behind her ear.
I follow her out to get this first/last date out of the way.
Flat on my Face
Regan
“I’ve had too much to drink,” I whisper to Dina, as she slides into the seat next to me.
We’re sitting in the living room by ourselves now. Everyone else has gone through to the dining room to eat. But I don’t want to because Stone is there with that woman he brought, and I’ve never hated anyone, on sight, the way I hate her.
“Uh, I told you that three shots ago,” she whispers back, and hands me a glass of water.
“Did you? I don’t remember.” I take the glass and chug.
“Come on, Remi has dinner laid out, and they’re ready to eat.” She nudges me when I just shrug. “Let’s go. Food will help you feel better.”
“I don’t wanna. He’s here. And I don’t want to see him.”
Her eyes widen with interest, and she slides closer, lowering her voice to a whisper. “Who is he?” She glances around the room, as if trying to see someone she’s overlooked.
I grab her arm and squeeze, until she meets my gaze, her eyes widen.
“You’ve got mayhem in your eyes, Regan,” she says, but she’s far from disapproving. In fact, she looks like she wants in on it. I snicker. I don’t know why I don’t drink more often. Life is a lot more fun this way.
“He is him. The hand,” I hiss and pantomime someone taking a picture.
Her jaw drops. “Oh my God,” she squeals, before she covers her mouth with her hands and screams into them.
“Shhhhh.” I shake my head in disapproval. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I’m aware that the room shouldn’t keep moving once I stop, but I have bigger fish to fry right now. With this liquid courage coursing through my veins, I feel like I can do anything, including draw blood from a stone.
“I thought you said he was a local you met.” If the look on her face is anything to go by, she is thoroughly scandalized. I’m delighted.
“I lied,” I admit, in triumph.
“Does anyone else know?”
“Yup, his brother.”
She grabs me by the shoulders and gives me a shake. “Regan, who is it?”
I groan at the way my brain bounces, but when she shakes me again, I blurt, “Stone.”
Her jaw drops. “Not Dr. McDreamy? No fucking way. He’s soooooo hot. But so tightly buttoned up. No way. Not him,” she says, her eyes wide.
I snort in disagreement. “He’s not even close to buttoned up,” I inform her, with pride.
She purses her lips, and her eyes dance with excitement. “So, you two met in Mexico, but nobody knows?”
“Pay attention. I said his b-brother knows.” I wave my hand in the air to dismiss him. “But he’s never gonna tell because he’s afraid Marcel won’t play golf with him anymore or something.”
Dina looks at me askance, and I roll my eyes. “And also, maybe, because he loves his brother so much, he doesn’t want the big bad adulteress to ruin him,” I quip, and then burp loudly.
“Reg, Dina, what are you doing?” Remi sticks his head into the room, and his smile turns into a frown when he catches sight of me. “What the hell is wrong with you?” He gives me a disapproving once over.
“Well, nice to see you, too, brother,” I say, and give him a two fingered salute and reach for my drink.
“I was just getting her some water before I brought her in.” Dina stands.
“You’re not on the clock; you don’t have to explain to him,” I tell her, and grab her hand.
Remi shuts the door behind him and walks over to where I’m sitting. “Are you drunk?”