Hostile Territory - Marie James Page 0,89
head clear of where my brain constantly insists it should go. It’s exhausting, but even yoga and meditation can’t keep him from creeping inside of me. I bought a ton of craft stuff from a late-night infomercial, intent on doing something to take my mind off him, but it became clear very quickly that buying craft things and doing craft things are two totally different animals.
“I could say I’m surprised, but I’m not.”
I grind my teeth at the familiar voice, deciding to stand my ground rather than walking away.
“You never could resist the urge to mirror everything I do.” There’s laughter in Dani’s voice, but the insult speaks louder.
I cut my eyes to her when she stands by my side, Cosmo in hand. Her daring midthigh-length dress sparkles under the soft lighting, but it isn’t emerald green like she insisted it would be on the plane ride back from the Maldives two months ago. Nope, of course it isn’t. Her dress is white, just like the floor-length one I’m wearing.
“Mirror?” I scoff, lifting my drink to my lips, all the while contemplating if being a petty bitch right now would be best. I know what my mother would say, be the bigger person, but the way Dani is holding her mouth in that way that tells me she still thinks she’s better than me makes the decision for me.
See, classic Dani will stand here and chitchat with me, making rude comments camouflaged by her smile and tinkling tone, but after taking a step back and evaluating many of the conversations we’ve had in the past, I’ve come to realize, she’s always been a bitch. Before, I thought she saved her cattiness for everyone else, and since I was part of her innermost circle, she didn’t treat me that way. Let’s just say I’ve seen the light.
“How can I mirror you tonight? I never would’ve thought you’d wear the same dress twice.”
Her head snaps back, and it makes my petty little heart sing, even though I’d never call someone out the way I just did her. Honestly, who cares if she’s wearing a recycled dress. I’ve wanted to wear the same thing more than once because I have some killer dresses that deserve to shine multiple times, but the fear of being gossiped about kept me from doing so. Thankfully, this is the last event I have to worry about for the year, and I’ve already trimmed down next year’s calendar.
“I’d never.” She glares at me over the top of her drink before her eyes roam the room to see if anyone else is thinking the same thing.
“You wore that very same Dolce and Gabbana to the Spring Fling last year.”
She swallows her vitriol as two tuxedoed men walk past, and I know it’s just killing her not to immediately spit some bullshit my way. I’ve never been in a fight in my life, and I would never intentionally embarrass my parents, but Dani has the ability to make both of those things change tonight. Fire is raging through my blood. Add in the fact that I’ve slept like crap for the last two months, and I’m seconds away from an episode of Snapped.
“They’re similar, but not the same,” she argues.
I just drain my glass. Arguing will get me nowhere, and I’ve wasted years of my life on this woman. Thankfully, a distraction approaches.
“Good evening,” I say, doing my best to hide my smirk as Dani practically twitches beside me.
Charles Warren leans in to kiss both of my cheeks before stepping aside so his beautiful wife, Brooke, can greet me with a quick hug. Both ignore Dani, and I hope she’s dying inside from the mistakes she’s made. I imagine it’s another slap in the face for the man you left your first husband for to saunter up with his gorgeous wife. The huge diamond on her finger sparkles in the chandelier light, and I do a little happy dance to see that it’s an upgrade from the stone he presented Dani with years ago.
“I hear you’re working with your father,” Charles says, his arm wrapping tightly around his wife’s back.
I’m so grateful he was able to break free of Dani. It would be a shame for another man to get tangled up in her selfish web.
“Working for my father,” I clarify with a bright, genuine smile. “It’s entry level.”
“Builds character,” Charles responds. “Brooke has decided to stay home once the baby gets here.”
Dani gasps, but the couple standing in front