Page 106 of Only With You

“No, I understand.”

“Okay,” I huskily reply and lick my lips. She watches the movement and before she asks because I know she will, I say, “The Aquaphor is in my pocket.” And pat my right pocket.

Her eyes train down but because it’s kind of dark in here, she can’t see it, so I grab her hand and press her palm to it.

“I always carry it with me. No more chapped lips.”

She chuckles, lifting her gaze, but keeping her hand in place. “Good…because you know how I feel about chapped lips.”

“I do. So don’t worry, they’ll be soft only for you.”

31

LANDON

I tryto talk myself into going downstairs to talk to Julianna, but as I watch my friends order another round of shots, I decide against it.

We’ve barely scratched the surface ofour deal, and I’m sure we would’ve, but Eloise showed up and took her away from me. I’m not sure what happened between her and Micah, but it must’ve been bad, because she swore she was going to murder him if she didn’t have a drink.

Julianna, like Jagger, asked me to join them, but I can’t bring myself to do it.

The noise is already enough stimulation and I’m wearing my earbuds, but they can only do so much. And if I smell any more liquor than I have to, I’m going to throw up.

Some days, I can force myself to put up with it, but today, it feels like too much.

I stayed in the VIP section, because if someone spills something on me, especially whiskey, I’ll lose it.

Though right now, I’m really hating how sensitive I am, because I’ve seen so many guys go up to Julianna. I don’t know what she tells them, but she never takes drinks from them or goes out to dance with them. Though, she hasn’t taken anydrinks from the girls or gone dancing with them either. She stays rooted at the stool with her palm covering her cup that she’s been nursing for a while now.

Occasionally, she’ll look up and our gazes will collide, and she’ll give me this haughty smirk. I used to hate it, but now, they’ve grown on me and I look forward to them.

My thoughts come to an abrupt halt because Brook stands in front of her, breaking our eye contact.

“Fuck it,” I mutter to myself and decide I’m done standing here.

I didn’t think they were talking anymore. I overheard Julianna tell the girls she decided to cut things off because she didn’t feel that they were compatible.

I don’t get to take a step when Nikki stands next to me along with Leah.

“Hey,” they say.

“Hey.” I keep it brief, but Nikki’s words stop me in my tracks.

“So you and bleach Barbie bitch are a thing now?” She snarkily laughs.

“Nikki, stop.” Leah shakes her head, huffing frustratedly, and then regards me. “She’s drunk.”

Nikki scoffs. “Oh, come on. Don’t act like they’re not all the same. Fake-ass bitches who swear they love everyone and that kumbaya shit.”

“If you don’t shut up, we’re leaving,” Leah warns her.

I’ve maxed out on patience, I’m overstimulated, and annoyed. But my irritation topples over when I peek back down at the bar and don’t spot Julianna or Brook.

“Jesus, Landon, out of all the people, her? I really thought you were better than that.” Resentment coats her words.

I sidestep her, but she’s adamant she’s going to make a point.

Leah tries to pull her away, but she jerks away from her. “I promise there’s nothing special about her. Just look around.You’ll find one like her in every corner.” She smiles wide, proud of her statement. “She’s a copy and paste of all the bitches in here. I promise they’re not that hard to find.”

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