Page 29 of Deceit

I cross my arms along my chest. “You’re not from around here, are you?”

“Just flew in last week.”

“Then you’d definitely know that Reagan is a beautiful raven-haired goddess with violet eyes. Then you’d also realize that if Wade Lockwood told you to stay away from me, he meant it.” Alexander perks a broke because if I know Lockwood like I do the back of my hand, he said it.

“Something along those lines, yeah.” His hazel eyes slowly fall back to mine. “But I never was one to follow directions. I’m the youngest child, brat, always went my own way, takes unnecessary risks, and was constantly teased by my brothers. I’m the textbook definition of a guy who will live too fast and die young.”

“Hence your stupid approach to me.”

“You’re still talking to me, aren’t you?”

I scoff and push my cheek out with the tip of my tongue. “Touché.”

“Can I buy you a drink?”

“They’re free.”

“Right, I meant do you wanna leave this lifeless party and go somewhere with music and normal people?”

“Tempting,” I drone, not bothering to hide how unimpressed I am at this conversation. “But, no…thanks.” Alexander bobs his head, knowing that he’s out of cards to play with me.

He tried, failed but was brutally honest. I can somewhat respect that.

“Maybe some other time,” he remarks before holding out his hand for me to maybe shake this time. “It was nice meeting you, Emmy. I hope I see you soon. You’re the only person in here that hasn’t made me want to blow my own eardrums out.”

My lips quirk because facts. “Have a good night, Alexander.”

Pivoting, I stride to go find Wade, glancing down at my watch to see how much more time we have.

An hour.

I locate him with a young waitress with light brown hair, receiving another glass of brandy and getting his ear talked off by some bald guy that looks like Danny Devito.

“Dude likes to talk about the chandeliers in this place,” Alexander mutters behind me. “Allegedly, they’re pre-Civil War.”

“Oh my God. I thought I got rid of you.”

“I had to come this way,” he counters lightly. “Besides, you’re alone again.”

“I like it that way.” My eyes suddenly catch the determined marching of a tall brunette in a purple dress, glinting against the lighting in the room, her focus on me.

Or what’s behind me.

I would know that possessive, jealous, and entitled ass expression anywhere. I grew up in the fucking Hampton’s.

And I’m not about to go full-on B723 on her ass if she attempts to clap back at me for talking to her boyfriend, fiancé, husband, fuck buddy, or whatever label he has.

She should’ve babysat him better.

I could give her tips but, alas, my patience is thinning and I’m about to cut this supposed hour of being here short.

“Alexander,” she coos sweetly andloudly, receiving looks from people nearby and now on dummy and me. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

My eyes then connect with Wade’s, thanks to loudmouth, and I give him thelook.

The come save me rightnowlook.

“I will pay you a hundred dollars if you pretend to be my date,” Alexander mutters quickly in my ear. “All you have to do is walk out the door with me.”

---