Page 26 of Love Thief

But unfortunately, I hear Grace snap out, “We’re with him.”

What the hell is she doing?

”Yes,” drawls out the receptionist, “she’s with him.”

I open my eyes to find she’s pointing right at me, grinning.

“Well at least we have a chance then.” They’re looking me up and down. “She’s nothing special.”

I hear the receptionist choke out a laugh and retort, “Are you blind?”

This is only degenerating and I can’t be bothered to listen to it. I start to push Grace forward. “Grace, let’s go.”

What is wrong with her? She’s gone full warrior mode and refuses to budge, squaring up to the two new blondes.

Hotel girl is clearly enjoying winding up the two new women, and Grace, as she states with glee, “He’s fucked her more than once. He’s with her. He’s all over her. In love.”

What the fuck! I open my mouth, amazed that my business is being discussed so openly in a toilet.

Grace starts to yell at them all. Telling them how fantastic we are compared to them. I even hear her say to the duo, “Stay away from my man.”

“Is she your friend?” The receptionist has a weird look on her face, as she thumbs towards Grace.

I need to put a stop to this. Security will be called at this rate of escalation.

“Look, thank you for your support,” I say to the receptionist before turning to the other women. “What I do or don’t do is none of your business. Grace, I'm leaving.” I stride past everyone. The shouting doesn’t stop, but quietens as the door slams behind me.

I keep walking, but veer off into an alcove to get myself together before returning to the large VIP area. Grace finally exits the toilets, doesn’t see me, and saunters back to the table and our party.

I stand in the alcove, hiding. What am I doing here? “James and Bucky, James and Bucky,” I repeat to myself over and over. Keep it together, this is only going to get worse. Once I ‘get married’ tonight, I’ll be an even bigger target. My stomach is in knots. What the fuck is this? I’ve entered the twilight zone of girlfriends past. No, not girlfriends, random women zone.

I catch a bit of conversation as the two girls from the loo go past. “Can’t believe he’s with both of them. She must be a mistake. He hooks up with anyone. Let’s go and see if we can get to the table.”

It feels like I stand there for ages getting my scattered thoughts back together. Get it going on, I tell myself. They’d take him in a heartbeat, regardless of what they all say, regardless of any insults they throw my way.

I feel him before I see him. It’s like I’m a lightning rod and he’s the bolt of energy.

“Where the fuck did she go, Grace? You better not have reminded her of something else, fucking find her. Fuck, where is she?” He sounds angry with her, but I hear the edge of panic in his voice. His whole body is the picture of frustration, running his hand constantly through his hair, his head on a pivot one way and then the other.

I want to move, but I can’t. My feet seem to be glued to the thick carpets.

The receptionist comes out of the toilets and spots him. “Hi, Marcus, good to see you again.” She rolls the words out with a purr, offering him a huge seductive smile. “Looking for someone?” She’s actually twirling her hair as she pouts it out.

“Yes, my girlfriend.” He doesn’t cast a glance her way. He heard her, but hasn’t even seen her. “Beautiful woman in a black dress. Silver hair. Have you seen her?”

Mick and the team are coming from the other way, shaking their heads. Kellen looks like he might explode.

“Yeah I saw her, and you’re one lucky man. Not that you deserve it. She’s way too good for you.”

She’s gone from seductive to snarling, and I’ve never seen anyone switch so fast. The finger that was twirling the hair is now pointing aggressively, and the pout and seductive smile have been replaced by lip curling and snapping teeth. Maybe she was testing the waters before. Checking to see if he was still ‘up for anything with anyone,’ or if he really is a changed man. Well she’s certainly thrown the kitchen sink at him.

He looks like he’s about to go ballistic.

Stepping out of my hiding spot and standing up to my full five foot three inches, maybe five-five in heels, I outstretch my hand towards him. “Kellen.” I smile straight into his eyes, confidence oozing from me. “Kell, let’s go get drinks.”

I move towards him and he pulls me to him, touching my hair and face. Consternation pulsing from him.

“Don’t do that again, it worries me.” He kisses me and I melt into him, my hands gravitating into his hair to pull him even closer.

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