Page 28 of Little Did You Know

Hannah appeared in the kitchen. She didn't say anything standing silently, staring at Nick sprawled out on the kitchen floor, trying to catch the breath that was knocked out of him.

"Anotherfriend?" I laughed.

His lips pressed tightly together as he nodded.

"I'm going to change." He stood and straightened his clothing. "I'll see you ladies at the party."

As soon as his footsteps faded down the hallway, Hannah and I exchanged a glance. The laughter bubbled up from somewhere deep inside me, and soon we were both doubled over, tears streaming down our faces.

It took us several minutes to compose ourselves, but eventually Hannah checked her watch and sighed. "We need to get you ready now."

An hour later, Hannah's make-up brush hovered over my cheekbone as she studied my face with professional intensity. "What's new?" The brush swept across my skin. "Have you been out anymore since the other night with me?"

"Uh, yeah." I forced myself to stay still, fighting the urge to fidget under her scrutiny. "Nick introduced me to some of his friends the other night."

She paused, brush suspended mid-air, her reflection in the mirror raising an eyebrow.

"How was it?"

"If you're asking if I'm cured and no longer socially awkward, no. It was awful, probably worse than the night with you." Hannah raised her eyebrows in question. "Trust me." She went back to working on my face. "Hannah, I don't know what to do. How do I get over this?"

She paused. "You find that one guy that you're comfortable with and fuck him until he's unconscious." I laughed. "Fuck your social awkwardness to hell."

My fingers twisted in my lap. "How will that help?"

Hannah set down her makeup brush and met my eyes in the mirror. "Your virginity is shining bright and white, hun." Her lips quirked into a half-smile. "Get rid of that." She turned my chair to face her, hands on my shoulders. "I think you'll be more comfortable. You'll see the world in a whole new way."

Heat crept up my neck. "How did you know?"

"As I said, it's shiny." She picked up an eyeshadow palette, testing colors against my skin. "You wear it on your sleeve." The brush swept across my eyelid. "Letting someone fuck you into Sunday will loosen up some of your tension. Other than that, I think you need to get out more. Meet more people."

I studied my reflection, barely recognizing the polished woman staring back at me. "Maybe you're right."

Chapter Thirteen

It was after nine when we finally arrived at the party. Hannah knew I was nervous and continuously reassured me. I didn't want to embarrass Nick, though.

The limo door swung open to a wall of humid summer air and popping camera flashes. Music from inside leaked out in bass-heavy waves, making the sidewalk vibrate under my feet. Hannah emerged first, her sequined dress scattering light like a disco ball. I followed less gracefully, tugging at my hem while wobbling on unfamiliar heels. The wall of light stuttered, then died as the photographers lowered their cameras with barely concealed disappointment. We weren’t who they were looking for.

A figure materialized from the shadows of the doorway—Justin Reid, Nick's business partner. He carried himself with the easy confidence of someone who belonged here, his smile predatory. "Hello, ladies," he purred, his gaze lingering a beat too long on my bare shoulders.

"Hello," both Hannah and I replied simultaneously.

"Can I show you to your date?” Justin asked, extending his arm for me to loop mine through. I looked to Hannah for reassurance, and she nodded. Looping my arm into his, I nodded.

"You'll have to excuse me," Hannah said politely. "I have some people to find." And she disappeared into the crowd.

"You look stunning tonight." Justin's gaze lingered on me, assessing and appreciative in equal measure.

I shifted under his scrutiny, smoothing nonexistent wrinkles from my dress. "Thank you. You look nice as well." The polite response felt inadequate, but what exactly does one say to a man who looks like he's mentally calculating your value?

"Please tell me you're not trying to steal my date." Nick's voice materialized behind us, low and controlled, but with an edge that sliced through the ambient chatter. I jolted, my ankle wobbling in my borrowed heels.

Justin's hands found my elbows, steadying me with efficiency. His thumbs lingered against my bare skin a heartbeat longer than necessary.

"Of course not." Justin's lips curved upward, but the smile calcified before reaching his eyes. Something cold and knowing passed between the men. "Merely escorting her to you."

A muscle jumped in Nick's jaw. His gaze dropped to Justin's hands, still resting on my arms, then rose to meet mine. Though his expression remained pleasant, almost bored to casual observers, I caught the slight narrowing of his eyes, the tightness around his mouth.

---