Page 112 of Now and Forever

“What’s going on over there?” Spencer nodded toward Benson.

“They’re talking about a trip next weekend. They’re arguing about the destination,” Benson responded before retreating back to my brother.

According to Spencer, Benson’s mother was part of Jordanian royalty, but his parents had divorced last year. Chris, on the other hand, had a father who was a hedge fund owner who scammed people from millions of dollars. After the housing burst in ’08, his dad had apparently left the country and hadn’t been heard of since. It was unnerving to think that someone would do that when people trusted you with their investments, but stories such as these weren’t new.

“So, why did you choose NYU and not Columbia like Jacks and the rest of us?”

Wait a sec—

“Columbia?” I frowned deeply at him. “Jackson?” Had I heard him right, or was I already drunk?

“Yeah, woman. Slow down on the drink, will you? I wouldn’t mind carrying you to bed, but I’d prefer it if you were awake and half sober.”

“Dream on, Spencer.” I rolled my eyes at him. There was no way in hell I was going to sleep with him tonight. I was a major flirt, but getting me to have sex would take a good deal more than a few words and flashing your credentials.

While he resumed back to his fun, flirting self, my mind wandered to what he had revealed. Jackson was studying at Columbia and not NYU like everyone thought back home? Jackson wouldn’t lie about something like that, would he? Something wasn’t adding up.

As much as I would love to find out the truth right then and there, it wasn’t the right setting to ask. Besides, the peach martini was warming my tummy, and I could already feel the slight lightheaded effect of the alcohol in my system. Instead, I dwelled on my surroundings and the thriving liveliness of the party.

True New Yorkers did party differently than what I was used to back in Orange County. There was some sort of understated snobbishness when it came to this crowd, but as Spencer had stated, I would eventually get used to it.

I ignored the odd looks headed my way as they briefly spoke to their friend Spencer. Some, I imagined, were women he used to date, because they threw the iciest of looks. If I were sober enough, I would have taken offense, but I was tipsy and didn’t care one flying fark about any of them.

After my third drink, I was ready to call it quits. Glancing at where Jackson was arguing with a woman Spencer had identified as Yvonne, I thought there was no way he would willingly go home right then.

Too drunk to care about their lover’s quarrel, I took hold of my purse before placing the empty martini glass on the table. “I gotta go. Thanks for an interesting evening.”

“I’m coming with you.” Spencer began to stand up, but I placed a hand on his shoulder.

“I’m okay. Stay and party a while. It’s not even one in the morning. I’m sure you have better things to do.”

He took my hand and held it in his own. “I’m taking you home whether you like it or not, Chloe.”

“Fine, whatever floats your boat.”

Spencer didn’t once let go of my hand as he guided me out of the building. In a way, I was grateful. I didn’t want to find my way around town to get back home.

Cabs were abundant since it was a balmy Saturday night, so it didn’t take us long to grab one and get dropped outside the apartment building.

“Thank you. I can take it from here.” I grinned before opening the door, but much to my surprise, Spencer did, as well. “What are you doing?” I asked him after watching the back headlights of the cab as it drove away into the traffic.

“I want to make sure you’re inside the condo; is that so wrong?” He threw me a look similar to what I had just given him moments ago, mocking me a little.

“Fine, but if you have any other designs, I’m going to kick your balls so hard you’ll wish you’d settled for good ol’ blue balls.”

He chortled before taking my hand once again as he led us inside the building and into the elevator.

“I think I like you more than I should, Chloe,” he murmured close to my ear as the elevator door closed to take us to the eighth floor. His breath tickled the side of my neck before I felt his lips graze my skin. “Go out with me tomorrow night?

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