Page 23 of The Show

“Right,” Lucian bellowed and lifted his glass in the air, “now let the real party begin…”

There was a loud boom, which had the guests gasping again before the familiar sound of fireworks exploding in the sky had everyone jumping out of their seats and rushing out to the lawns to watch them explode over the house.

I looked back to where Penn had been standing, only he wasn’t there.

“Come on, let’s go to the bar and find Dylan.” Lauren took my hand and pulled me out of my seat.

“Oh Lowe… LoLo, honey… Lowe…”

I spun to see my mom frantically waving at me as she rushed over as quickly as her dress would allow.

“Girls, I’ll meet you at the bar. I’ll have whatever you’re having.” They took off right as my mom arrived. “Hi, Mom, having fun?”

“Oh yes, wonderful, but can you come with me? I want you to meet someone… he’s a doctor, he works for…”

My champagne buzz popped hard. Give me some goddamn strength!

“Mom, no. Will you please stop! We’re at a party!” I snapped. “I do not need my mother to solicit me for dates.”

“Well, you’re not meeting them on your own!” she shot back.

I thumbed behind me in the general direction the girls headed, or any direction away from this conversation before I said something I’d regret.

“I’m gonna go now, Mom.” I ground out, taking a step back. “See you later.”

“We missed you, honey. Come back to stay at the house with us tonight. Please. We haven’t seen you all summer.” She looked at me with big pleading, wide eyes.

“Okay,” I groaned quietly. “Yes, I can do that.”

I kissed her cheek then ran off before she attempted another of her well-tried and successful methods of persuasion on me, which is how I ended up with several text messages a day telling me my mom gave them my number, and said they had to call me because I’d love to go out with them.

I finally found a bar, but couldn’t see any of the girls at it but I’d continue my search once I’d got myself a proper drink.

“Well, if it isn’t Luscious Lowe Slater. My, my, you are looking delicious tonight.”

I spun round at the familiar voice to find myself almost nose to nose with Bryce Wexler. I jerked back before I fell into him. He stopped me from toppling further, though by the looks of it, he could barely stand up himself.

I might have known Bryce Wexler from moving in similar circles, but it wasn’t similar enough that I’d ever expected him to be here.HERE. And Lauren wouldn’t have known either. She’d have definitely told me. This would be a surprise to her.

“Hey,” I looked down to find his hand still on my elbow. “What are you doing here?”

He tapped the side of his nose with a grin I assumed he thought was cute - but it wasn’t, and for a second, I couldn’t remember what I’d seen in him. There was no doubt he looked hot, but he looked different to how I remembered; hardened almost.

“We never did go on our date,” he slurred.

“No,” I stepped back, reclaiming my personal space. “You’d have actually had to call to make that happen.”

“Let’s do it this week. I’ll call you.”

I smiled, but only in a way that made it clear I wasn’t buying his bullshit. “No, I’m good, but thanks.”

“Come on, Lowe.”

My belly flickered again, and I smelled him before I heard him; the unique, heady, leathery man-scent I only ever associated with him.

“Get fucked, Wexler. She’s not going to give you her number, and she’s not going on a date with you.”

Bryce shot Penn a look of pure loathing, heavily laced with smugness. “She already gave me her number.”

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