that was as far as it went. I know better, and to be honest, he doesn’t excite me in that way.
Only one man has been able to pull any of that type of emotion from me. And he isn’t someone I want to give them to anymore.
I pull on my red dress—it’s ultra-sexy, stopping at mid-thigh—and I pair it with some black heels.
After checking myself in the mirror, I pick up my clutch and cell and head to the Uber waiting outside. After a short ride, I step out with my blonde hair flowing in long waves down my back as I walk into the casino.
I know which way to go, so I push off in that direction. I know Tina’s already here since she has messaged me five times, asking me if I have arrived. When I get to a very familiar door, a man is standing there with a clipboard. The last time I went through here, I was used to distract another man to lose his money. Tonight, I will not have to do any of those things. Tonight’s about me enjoying myself instead.
“Name,” he snaps, not even looking up.
“Thea.” He looks through the names and shakes his head.
“Not on the list,” he says, then motions for me to step away.
I pull out my cell and go to text Tina, but before I can, someone steps up next to me.
“Theadora,” Atlas says to the doorman. The doorman doesn’t even look at the names, just nods and steps to the side, letting us in. He goes to start walking, but I stay where I am, not wanting to look up at Atlas or even acknowledge his existence. He doesn’t deserve that from me.
Atlas walked out on me, not the other way around.
I thought we were good.
That we were maybe trying for more, but then everything fell apart. It still hurts to think of how he could throw me away so easily.
“Theadora, are you coming, or do you plan to stand there all night and not look at me?” he asks.
I continue to ignore him, looking away. It‘s only when I hear his retreating footsteps that I turn around to enter.
“Name,” the man says again.
“Are you serious? I haven’t moved,” I say in disbelief. “Theadora,” I repeat at his disdainful stare.
The doorman steps to the side to let me in.
What an idiot.
Huffing as I walk past the damn fool, I go inside. It’s different from how it was the last time I was here. Tonight, the room is darker, and the waitresses walk around holding drink trays and are dressed in full clothing, no playing tables are anywhere in sight, only tables with snacks on them. I spot Tina straight away and walk over to her, and she smiles when she sees me. I pull out a small present from my clutch and hand it to Sydney who’s standing close by.
“I don’t do gifts,” is all Sydney says, looking at what I have in my hand as if it’s some kind of poison.
“It’s rude to come to a party without a gift. Take it!” I push it toward her, and she shakes her head. Tina nudges her, and she begrudgingly takes it, smiling back at me.
“Thank you, Thea, I appreciate it,” Sydney says, and I would have believed her if she didn’t push the gift off to Tina.
“This is nice. Is your family here?” I ask Sydney. She nods and looks around until her eyes settle on two people talking to Atlas.
“They love him. He buys them a trip to Paris for Christmas every year. They always hoped I would marry him,” Sydney says, and I watch as Tina’s body tenses. Sydney places a hand on her back, soothing her.
Tina’s eyes flick to where Sydney’s parents are located, and Sydney leans in to whisper in her ear. I look away as they whisper to each other.
Heading to the bar, I order a glass of wine as I plan to not drive home tonight.
“You’re drinking?” I turn to that voice I know so very well. Turning away as my drink is placed in front of me, I wonder if I should answer him or not. Part of me wants to be petty and walk away, but the other knows it’s childish and it is not who I am.
“It looks that way,” I say, bringing the glass to my lips.
“They seem happy,” he says.
I try not to look at Atlas.
He hates me.
I remember that look he had in his eyes when