Page 16 of The Charmer

“I won't be long. I promise." Those eyes seemed even more surreal after the Sazerac.

"Take your time. I can't monopolize you for the whole celebration."

But suddenly that sounded like exactly what I needed. I felt safe with Julian even though I barely knew him.

"Second round for Georgie," he told the bartender without taking his eyes off me. Then he winked, and I swear my underwear felt tighter around my delicate parts.

The bartender looked at me in surprise, which was saying something for a bartender in the French Quarter. He glanced at my empty glass and simply nodded. "Right away."

I turned to face the bar, putting both elbows on the counter. I hoped to God Kyle wouldn't see me. I usually loved chatting with people at parades, but right now, I simply wanted to make myself small and invisible.

Of course, I had no such luck. Seconds later, I heard his familiar voice beside me.

"Of course I'd run into you here," Kyle said.

Taking in a deep breath, I steeled myself and turned around to face him. "Hello, Kyle."

He looked down at me and snorted, shaking his head.

"What?" I asked, tilting my head and putting one hand on my hip. I hoped my body language conveyed that I didn't give two shits about him and that his presence didn't affect me at all.

"I can’t believe you’re wearing that.”

"It's what I like. It's Carnival season, and I enjoy it."

"You can enjoy it and still have some taste," he said.

I scoffed. "Oh, Kyle, you and I are so done. I have no intention of taking any more abuse from you."

He stared at me. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

"You always like to make me feel like I'm beneath you."

"Make no mistake, you are. The things I heard from people when we were going out were insane. Starting with how you dressed to work at your little shop."

I was slowly dying inside. Why did his words still affect me?

"Here’s your Sazerac," the bartender said. He eyed Kyle. "Problem?"

"Mind your own business," Kyle told him.

"We're good." I tried to smile at the bartender, but I was certain it was more of a grimace.

Turning back to Kyle, I asked, "What are you even doing here? I thought you considered all the other establishments in the French Quarter way beneath yours. Oh, by the way, this is much better than the Deveraux Club."

He bristled. The one thing he couldn't stand was anyone telling him he wasn't the best at everything.

"I’ve got to check out the competition. And you liking this place more only tells me that mine is the superior one. Your taste is questionable."

I took a huge gulp of the Sazerac and then flashed him a smile. "Then so is yours, considering you went out with me for half a year."

His eyes turned cold, and I knew he was about to dish out some more crap, but that was okay. I had my Sazerac, and I planned to make good use of it.

Chapter Five

Julian

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