Page 91 of Life of the Party

They just stared at me. I began to wonder if I was drunker than I thought. I cleared my throat. “So, which one is he?”

“That one, there. Next to Blake.” Whitney pointed, leaning back so I could see. “He’s a stunner, huh? A total catch, he’s in finance. Totally loaded.”

Of course he was. I looked with disdain at Jake—A.K.A Smitten—Blake-the-dick’s brother. I should’ve known he was related to Blake. His superior countenance was a dead giveaway.

“Great,” I stated sourly.

“I’d trade with you in a heartbeat.” Marie decided.

“Yeah, I’d take a piece.” Whitney agreed. They giggled like girls at a school dance. I rolled my eyes at them. They could have him, as far as I was concerned.

As soon as dinner was over, I left my table to join Charlie back at the bar, trying to think of a good excuse to ditch the soiree so we could go and actually party.

The crowd was thinning out and we probably could’ve gotten away with it, but then Blake cornered me, leaning heavily on the bar top, his eyes bleary, his grin crooked.

“Too many sherries, Blake?” I teased.

He wasn’t listening. He was looking past me, beckoning someone over. “Mackenzie, have you met…my brother? He’s in finance, you know.”

“So I hear.” I sighed, glancing over my shoulder. Smitten was heading over to us, swaggering in his finely tailored suit. I could see the resemblance now I knew they were related—Jake looked like Blake but was more handsome, dimpled, his light hair swept across his forehead.

“Jake, this is Mackenzie. Marcy’s little sister. Soon to be my little sister.” Blake smiled. He actually pinched one of my cheeks. I slapped his hand away.

“We met already.” Jake looked me over, a cocky grin on his face. “Unofficially.”

“Was she nice? Be nice to him, Mackenzie. He’s absolutely perfect for you.”

“Is he?”

“Oh yes.” Blake nodded.

I flipped my hair behind my shoulder. Even if Grey and I weren’t together anymore, he’d serve as a perfect excuse, for the moment. “Well, I already have a boyfriend, and I happen to thinkhe’sperfect for me.”

To my astonishment, this made the brothers laugh, like I’d told them a hilarious joke. I crossed my arms and glared as they leaned against each other with mirth.

“Right, right. The rock star, right? Motorbike, the whole shebang.” Blake chortled.

“Can we meet this rock star? Get an autograph?” Jake smirked.

“He’s not here. He’s in the studio, actually, with his band. They’ve got a record deal, and they’re recording their first album.” I bragged haughtily.

“And he can’t take a day off frommusicto be here? For your only sister’s wedding?” Jake chuckled. “Come on. You guys can’t be that serious.”

Wow. I really didn’t need this. I could do without the airing of my exact thoughts and fears, especially coming from this dickhead. I shook my head and gathered my things from the bar, angrily stepping down from the stool. “You don’t know anything.”

“Uh oh, you hit a nerve, brother. I think you’re onto something.” Blake grinned.

“I am, aren’t I?” Jake persisted, smiling smugly. “Are you even together?”

“Of course they are.” Charlie came to my defence then, her blue eyes flashing. “They’re inseparable.”

“Oh yeah? If they’re so inseparable, where is this guy?”

“I told you. He’s in the studio!” Fuming, I pushed roughly past them. I didn’t stop to talk to my mom or my dad or Marcy or anyone. I stormed through the restaurant and out the front door, pausing on the sidewalk outside, breathing in the cool night air. Traffic rushed by on the busy street, horns honking, a car alarm sounding in the distance, drowning out the angry thoughts swirling through my head.

“Mac?” Charlie’s heels clipped on the sidewalk behind me. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” I lit a cigarette. “Sorry. I just had to get out of there.”

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