Page 209 of The Hookup Situation
And the worst part is, she easily finds me in this crowded room.
Our eyes lock together, and I can’t break the hold she has on me.
Not even as the countdown to the new year begins.
Ten, nine, eight …
Everyone moves closer to the windows to watch the ball drop. Nick and Julie are front and center, commanding the spotlight with their perfect, glowing love story. All eyes are on them or the ball.
But not mine. Mine are locked on Kendall. Her mouth curves in that cocky smile I’ve never been able to scrub from my damn head.
Damien’s arm clamps tighter around her waist, staking a claim that makes my blood boil. Kendall wraps her arms around his neck but holds my gaze. She knows exactly what she’s doing. This is her opening move in a game that I told her I wouldn’t play.
Three. Two. One.
“Happy New Year!” everyone screams.
Confetti rains inside and outside. Champagne corks pop, and cheers fill the night. Nick and Julie kiss under the glittering gold, sealing their future.
But all I can think about is Kendall’s eyes still burning into me.
If she keeps this up, I will give her hell.
The only thing that pulls me away from my thoughts is Regina, the model I brought as my date. She’s tugging at my arm, shouting something about a toast, her champagne nearly spilling onto my suit.
When I glance back, Kendall slips out of Damien’s grip like smoke. She weaves through the crowd in that silver dress that clings to every curve. The sequins catch the light like a thousand tiny knives. My pulse races with every step she takes closer, closer, until she’s standing directly in front of me.
For a heartbeat, the world narrows to just us.
My jaw clenches as her perfume hits me. It’s sweet and familiar. It’s memory and poison, all wrapped into one. Her gaze rakes over me before she meets my eyes. Her smirk is merciless, and her eyes are cold. Calculated even.
Kendall doesn’t say a single word, but neither do I.
The noise of the party rages around us, but it also blurs.
It’s just her and me, toe to toe, trading silent daggers. Her eyes dare me to break first, to break the promise that I made years ago.I will never fucking speak to you again,I swore to her. Though I have a million things I want to say, I won’t give her the satisfaction.
The silence stretches on for too long. It feels too heavy, too loaded. Her not speaking is a blade sharper than anything she’s ever said to me.
Damien barks her name, and it causes my jaw to clench tight. She doesn’t flinch or even acknowledge him. Instead, she spins around, her dress swooshing with every movement as she walks away.
She shouldn’t sparkle like a damn diamond, but somehow, she does.
Regina scoffs. “That was weird.”
“Yeah,” I mutter, sipping my drink as she chats about champagne towers.
I barely register that I have a date to entertain because Kendall’s presence has wrecked me. I’ve avoided her for years and made it crystal clear to my little sister, Addison, that I do not want to see Kendall. Ever.
I let out a frustrated sigh as the party continues on.
Nick kisses Julie like she’s his forever. And me?
I stand there, gutted, because Kendall gave me nothing.
No words I can fight. Zero insults or rude comments. I have a comeback for everything and she usually has a lot to say. Not tonight, though.
Her silence will take up space in my head. Somehow, she’s suffocating me without even trying.
Fuck, have I mentioned I hate everything about her?
Well, I do. And that’s a problem because hate also feels a hell of a lot like wanting her.
That canneverhappen.
