Page 12 of Never Gonna Lie
Dad goes to the fridge, and my eyebrows shoot to the top of my forehead.
Shit.
I glance over at James, every nerve in my body prickling with awareness as his eyes burn into me. It’s the most time I’ve spent with him sincethatnight. Which begs the question… Can I cope with being around him for the entire weekend?
Chapter Nine
RAVEN
ONE YEAR AGO
Mia and I went shopping this morning, and I found the perfect dress. It’s white, made from a silky material that feels so soft as it brushes against my skin. The neckline dips low enough to show a hint of cleavage but nothing too dramatic, and the fitted waist pulls in tight, giving me an hourglass shape. It’s not my usual style, showing off way more skin than I’m used to, but even I couldn’t deny how well it fit after Mia insisted I try it on.
The white makes the red of my hair pop more, and the contrast was stunning to say the least. The slight tan that I’d managed to get my pale skin to develop over the last few weeks looks deeper against the white, and I’m slightly obsessed.
Deciding on straightening my curly hair, and going light on makeup—mascara, bronzer, and a nude lip—the reflection staring back at me is at odds with the person I see on the inside. Because the woman standing before me is a literal goddess. Someone who would have men chasing after her. She has curves in all the right places, an impressive cleavage, and legs for days. But she’s notme.
I’m boring. Plain. Dull. Or so I’ve been told over the years.
Mia comes up behind me, placing her hands on my shoulders and bringing me out of my somber mood. “Stop it,” she chastises. “You look incredible. I’d totally bang you.” She winks as she squeezes my shoulders.
Laughing, I reply, “Thanks. I think?”
“Let’s go,” she says, hurrying me along. “You don’t want to be late for your own party.”
“I doubt anyone would miss me,” I mumble to myself.
“I heard that,” Mia admonishes. “That’s enough of that.” She cups my cheeks in her hands, her voice lowering to a more gentle tone. “You are stunningly beautiful, and I wish you could see what I see when I look at you.”
I scoff at her words, trying to stop the tears from welling and ruining my makeup. I clear my throat before saying, “Let’s go before Dad sends a search party.”
Making our way downstairs, I look around, amazed at the effort Dad and Emma have gone to for this party. Fairy lights hang from every picture frame and vase, and streams of white fabric hang from the ceiling, giving it a winter wonderland vibe in summer.
In a word, it’s beautiful.
Mia hooks her arm through mine and leads me into the dining room where the party’s in full swing. We amble into the room,giggling, when I lock eyes with James. The breath gets knocked out of me as I take in his tailored all-black suit that fits him like a glove.
My mouth goes dry, and I have to swallow several times to unstick my tongue from the roof of my mouth. A glass clinking brings me out of my gawking, and I concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other as I walk over to my dad, who happens to be standing right next to James.
Stopping in front of them, I don’t know what to do with myself, self-conscious of being so close to James, yet wanting to be as close to him as possible. I tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear and bite my bottom lip.
I finally peer up at him from beneath my lashes and see his jaw’s clenched, his eyes piercing into mine. I lift my head further up in confusion, my brows furrowed.
Have I done something wrong?
He knocks back his whiskey before snapping, “Excuse me,” and storms off.
James is a charmer; he always has time for everyone. He’s never one to be brash or rude, at least not to me anyway, so I’m baffled by his sudden change in mood. The urge to chase after him hurtles through me, wanting to make sure he’s okay, but I stay rooted to the spot. It’s bad enough I’m in love with the man; I don’t need to be broadcasting it to the world, too.
Politely excusing myself, I wander over to the bar and order myself a glass of soda. Thanking the waiter, I check the time, wondering how long I can leave it before going after James, or if I should even be going after him at all.
Fuck it.
I’m not usually one to live in the moment—I’m someone who has to have everything meticulously planned out—but this is James we’retalking about here. Lifting my dress slightly, I move as quickly as I can, without making it look too obvious, to the balcony doors where I know he went.
Stepping out onto the balcony, I notice that the theme from inside has flowed out here, the same fairy lights giving it a warm, soft glow as I step out further in my search.
Just as I’m about to give up, I see a slight movement in the shadows closest to the wall. A cigarette cherry moves from down beside a leg up to what I presume is their mouth. Smoke blows toward me, and I can’t help but cough.
