Page 45 of Love to Prove You Wrong

The entertainment room was located in the basement. A fancy one, not thesomeone’s going to get murdered heretype of basement. The room was light and airy, and a comfortable-looking couch sat on a shag carpet. A giant subwoofer and different game consoles were set up against one of the walls.

“Are we playing, or are you going to keep drooling over those game consoles?” Justin asked.

I took my place at the other side of the foosball table, and we let our miniature players kick the ball without either of us uttering a word.

On the outside, I looked normal. I hoped. But on the inside, I couldn’t catch up. How had I gone from being in a suit store to having feelings for this gorgeous guy who was now kicking a tiny ball with such force that I was scared he’d break the entire table?

Did Ireallyhave feelings for him? After all, there was a thin line between love and hate. It was true that I was warming up to him, and that he set my skin ablaze whenever he touched me, but that didn’t mean I wanted to marry him and have his babies.

Justin let out a low groan when the ball whizzed right past his goalkeeper. I tallied up the numbers.

“I’m winning,” I said. I felt oddly proud of that achievement.

“I thought we weren’t going to talk?”

He stared me down. Again. How many more times was he going to do that?

“Why not? I feel it’s time to talk.”

He opened his mouth, and I leaned in. I needed to hear what he was about to say. He furrowed his brows and sighed.

“Do you mind?” he said, turning his head toward the door where Russell had materialized. Talk about having impeccable timing.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Russell said. “Alicia’s about to cut the cake and she wants everyone there.”

Justin turned to me again, a smirk on his face. “Well, seems like you won’t miss the cake after all.”

He joined Russell by the door and the three of us walked back to the living room. Justin left me alone, greeting some more people. Whatever. I didn’t need him to have fun.

I focused my attention on the enormous flamingo cake that was on a table. It had six layers, all pink and golden. On top of the cake was a marzipan flamingo that looked too cute to eat. Still, I’d put it in my mouth first chance.

Alicia posed for pictures, then cut the cake while everyone was singing Happy Birthday. I snapped a couple of pictures myself and sent them to Suzie.

Since Justin was nowhere to be seen, I took my slice of cake outside. A waiter stopped by my side and offered me another glass of champagne. He probably felt sorry for me, eating all by myself. I thanked him, but declined. I didn’t need any more alcohol. What I needed was clarity.

I found a secluded spot at the back of the yard and sat down in the grass, my back against a tree and my legs stretched out in front of me. I kicked off my shoes, and took a bite of the cake, not even bothering to use a fork. I gobbled down the entire slice in only five bites. Yes, it was very unladylike, but come on. This was no ordinary cake. It must’ve been laced with flavor-enhancing bits. Or made by some famous chef.

I closed my eyes, trying to fight off the confusing thoughts I had about Justin. It was all too exhausting to deal with right now.

Sleep might help. I could forget about everything and just let some weird dream take over my thoughts.

I had almost drifted off into a blissful nap when a small object landed in my lap. I jumped to my feet, afraid of finding a giant spider or some other creepy creature.

“Why do I always find you asleep with some type of food attached to you?”

Justin was standing a couple of feet away from me, looking all amused.

“Did you just throw something at me?”

He picked up a small packet from the grass and handed it to me.

“What’s this?” I asked, even though it was clear that Justin had thrown a packet of peanuts into my lap as if I was a circus monkey.

“Food for the flight back home. You should eat, or you’ll get nauseous on the helicopter.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “I thought you told me not to steal anything at this party?”

“Well, Alicia’s my friend. She won’t mind that I took some nuts to help my drunk friend.”

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