Page 30 of A Twisted Arrangement

“No need to deny it. I’m literally dying to know what’s happening between you and Matthias.”

“N…nothing.”

“Girl… Matthias could barely form words. He was so focused on you last night. Then there’s the whole you both disappearing at the same time thing.”

Heat crawls up my cheeks, and I finish my glass of red before asking,“Was it that obvious?”

“Only because we were already watching you. Do you think those boys would give up a chance to see Matthias act like that?”

“Like what exactly?”

“Like some kind of obsessed teenager whose crush just walked into prom.” She tilts her head, studying me. “You have to have noticed by now?

“I think I need something stronger to have this conversation.”

Misty laughs and gets up, walking to the kitchen. She comes back with two shot glasses and a chilled bottle of vodka.

I scrunch up my nose. “I don’t think I can drink that straight.”

“Don’t worry, this is some kind of smooth, rich Damon special that doesn’t burn.”

I’ve been rich my entire life, and I’m pretty sure all alcohol burns, but I throw the shot she hands me back, letting the cool liquid hit the back of my throat. It does burn, but in a different way, and I can see what she means.

She raises the bottle. “Another?”

I smirk. The vodka is already going to my head. “One more.”

I down the shot, chasing it with a sip of wine. “I’m not exactly sure what’s going on. He’s kinda driving me crazy.” A low, frustrated sound that I don’t dare call a growl leaves my chest. “Like why did he suddenly start acting this way?”

“That is cryptic.” Misty tops up a shot for each of us.

I lift it to my lips and grumble, “Annoying,” before tipping it back.“Was I just supposed to wait for him? Does he think I’ve been waiting this entire time?”

She tilts her head. “Have you been waiting?”

“No,” I rush out too fast to be believable.

“Not even a little?

I drop my head into my hands, the room swirling a little too much around us, and groan. “I have horrendous taste in men.”

Misty’s clear laugh fills the space. “You never know. He may surprise you?”

“He choked me once. Did you know that?” Of course, that happened when he thought I betrayed his brothers, and he couldn’t even go through with it. But it definitely doesn’t scream we’re meant to be together.

“Like in the good way?”

I cough, nearly spitting out my drink. “The what?”

“Never mind… Do you want me to tell Damon? Pretty sure I can convince him to kill him.”

Shaking my head no, I reply, “I deserved it.”

“I doubt that. I may not know you well, but Damon told me what you did for them.”

“There was a misunderstanding, and I may have let Matthias believe I betrayed him.” A flush of anger rolls over me. “Not that he’d let me explain.”

“Maybe...you know, have a conversation?”

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