Page 18 of One Weekend in Sydney

I nod as I move away. “You?” I ask out of inherent politeness.

“Mouthwatering,” he answers, his gaze falling to my lips.

Ugh! If we were at any other event, I would have told him off. But we’re at a masquerade party where some people are looking for a one-night stand, so I can’t blame him for trying to chat me up.

“Juliet,” he continues, “do you believe in fate? Because I have a feeling that our meeting tonight was no coincidence.”

I can’t help my bark of laughter. Man, that was tacky. Maybe Arpi isn’t used to picking up women. He probably only came because he thought he might get lucky tonight.

I decide to be frank with him. “I’m sorry, Arpi, but I’m not looking to hook up. I won’t be offended if you decide to switch seats so you can talk to someone else. I don’t want you to waste your time on me.”

His jaw drops, and then he flashes me an embarrassed grin. “I see. No, I don’t mind sitting here with you. I promise to behave.”

Thankfully, Arpi keeps his word throughout dinner. We talk about our favourite music, food, places we’d like to visit, and I don’t hear another flirty come-on out of him. I’m relieved! He’s actually being quite a good companion for the night.

“You know what?” he says as we finish dessert. “I’m having such a great time. Would you mind taking some pictures of me? I’m gonna show it to my friends. They’ll be jealous that I got a ticket and they didn’t.”

“Sure.”

He pulls out his phone from his pocket and hands it to me. I take a couple of photos from the table before we move to another area with better decor.

Arpi strikes a pose, flashing his most dazzling smile for the camera. “Make sure you capture my good side,” he teases.

I snap a few shots, each time with him posing even more dramatically. “You’re a natural in front of the camera,” I say with a laugh. The tension I felt around him earlier was gone, and I have to say, I am enjoying his company.

Arpi takes the phone. “How about we take a selfie together?”

I hesitate for a moment, but…why not? I’m wearing a mask anyway. No harm in having a picture with a new, albeit temporary, friend. “Sure,” I agree with a smile.

We stand side by side, both striking silly poses for the camera as laughter bubbles between us.

“Want me to send these to you?” he asks when we’re done.

Much as I’ve relaxed, no way am I going to give my phone number to a stranger. I grab my own phone and open the camera app. “Let me take one of the two of us.”

Arpi chuckles. “Okay, then.”

I grin for the camera as we pose together. I appreciate that he’s not pushing for my contact details.

The background music stops, and an announcement blasts through the speakers. The first of the musical acts is about to start, and we’re reminded to make our way to the Dome. We’ve been so busy taking photos that we almost forgot about the concert.

“I hope we still find a place close to the stage,” Arpi says as we hurry to the location.

“I hope so, too.” I’m not a fan of the first three acts, but I’d love to see the Glowing Devils up close.

And at least I’m having fun tonight, even if I’d prefer to be with Romeo.

But that’s not to be. Such is my love life—and I’m used to it always being a disappointment.

ChapterSeven

MASON

Iglare at the man taking pictures with Tara. Who the fuck is that guy? Could he be a friend of hers that she didn’t know was going to attend the masquerade, too?

He has to be someone she just met, though. When he sat next to her during dinner, she didn’t seem to know him.

Yes, I’ve been keeping an eye on her. Not as much as I would have liked, as I had to attend to a security concern, which turned out to be a false alarm. I want to make sure she’s not getting hassled like she was on the boat.

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