Page 102 of Only With You

“Thanks, and why would you assume that?”

“Because Sienna said you couldn’t.” She looks at Sienna for confirmation.

Of course she did.

Sienna directs her attention to me, her expressioninnocentandconcerned. “Was that not you I spoke to?”

“No, that wasn’t me.”

She winces, giving me an apologetic smile, but I know her well enough to know it’s fake. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry! I really thought it was you I spoke to. I think there might have been a mix-up with the messages. But it’s no big deal. You’re here now. We can all hang out.”

Not too long ago, that would have hurt, but now I’m just done and I don’t care.

This time, my smile isn’t forced when I look at them. “It’s okay. I’m already here with my friends, but I hope you guys have a good time.”

We all promise to take photos before the night ends before saying our goodbyes and parting ways. When we’re far away, El breaks out into a fit of laughter. “That was…those girls are…Sienna isgreat.”

Sarcasm drips from her mouth and I just know she’s trying not to say anything mean. I’m pretty certain she can also feel the tension in my body, and like the amazing best friend she is, she changes the subject like she knows it’s exactly what I need.

We get lost in conversation as we head up to the VIP section and halfway up the stairs, my gaze is wrenched from our group of friends to Landon. It’s insane how easily I spot him, but my heart staggers, as do my steps, when I spot him with a girl. It’s the same girl he’d been with when he took me home. Leah, I think her name is.

They’re a little farther away from everyone else, and so close to each other. She’s smiling up at him, her hand on his forearm, laughing at whatever he’s saying.

A boulder lodges in my throat, making it hard to swallow, and my heart painfully squeezes. Spikes flare in my stomach, annihilating the flutters.

A strange, acidic feeling grabs ahold of me and the smile I was trying so hard to keep intact plummets. He must’ve felt me looking because his gaze shifts to me, but I look away.

“Everything okay?” El asks, her face etched with worry.

I nod, ignoring the tightness in my chest. “Yeah, everything’s great.”

30

LANDON

It’s beenfive minutes and she hasn’t looked at me again.

I fix my stare back on Leah, but I can’t focus on a single thing she’s saying, because my line of sight strays back to Julianna.

“Landon!” Leah slaps my arm and my attention falls back on her. “You didn’t hear a thing I said, did you?”

“I did. I’ll email you the details, you’ll draw the sketches, and send them over for me to approve,” I distractedly reply, my attention once again shifting to the stunning blonde dressed like an angel.

At the time, I didn’t understand why Gabby and Polly were so adamant that I dress like an angel. I knew they were up to something, but I didn’t have it in me to care or ask questions because the costume is basic and as simple as it’ll get.

I’m dressed in all black and I’m wearing wings—not by choice—that Gabby bought. If I didn’t wear them, I’d feel like a dick, so I have them on.

Julianna’s also dressed like one, but she’s wearing all white and she looks…there are not enough words in the dictionary to describe howdivineshe looks.

For having a good memory, I can’t remember when it all started. The urge, the craving, the desperation for Julianna. It’sbaffling how deep I feel it. It’s like she’s injected herself into my bloodstream and I can’t stop feeling this neverending high.

The thought sends a chill up my spine.

“Okay, now I understand.” Leah’s voice directs my focus to her.

“Understand what?”

“The tall, hot blonde dressed like an angel.” Leah’s eyes flash in Julianna’s direction and trail down the length of her body. “God, is she real? She looks like a model. She’s gorgeous and—” She abruptly stops and does a double take on her again. “Wait, she’s the reason you were desperate for the mug.”

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