Page 36 of L.O.V.E

Natalie laughed at something Lacey said, and my heart slammed against my rib cage. Victoria lifted my whiskey to her lips and finished it in one swallow. “Let’s stay a little longer.”

We stayed too long. Enjoyed too many drinks. Natalie and Victoria didn’t speak, but Lacey made an effort to include Victoria in the conversation. I loved her for trying.

I made eye contact with Natalie only twice by accident.

Lacey excused herself to the ladies’ room. Martin followed suit. Lacey returned. Victoria excused herself. I stared at my drink, studied the handblown glass light fixtures on the ceiling, calculated the blonde to brunette ratio in the room, anything to keep from staring at that damn temptress sitting across the table.

Lacey and Natalie, clearly inebriated and having a blast, told funny stories of growing up together.

Ellis shared the story about when he was four and used his dad’s razor to give the dog a haircut. Natalie laughed so hard she cried.

I wanted to lick her tears. I wanted to make her cry. I needed to leave and never look at her again.

I ordered another drink.

Ellis and Lacey kissed. Natalie stared at me, cheeks flushed, lips stretched in a cute smirk. She rolled her eyes, made a funny face, then snapped a picture of the couple with her cell. Before tucking her phone away, she aimed the camera my way and said, “Say cheese.”

I laughed. The knots in my gut loosened.

We could be friends. I could do that. For Ellis.

I checked my phone. Victoria had been gone for ten minutes.

Martin returned, shirt rumpled, reeking of smoke.

“You see Vic back there?”

“Yeah. She’s on the balcony.” He pointed over his shoulder. “Said she needed some fresh air.”

I joined my fiancée outside, the night sky refreshing. When our lips met, I tasted whiskey and smoke. “I thought you quit.”

“Sorry. I’m trying, Cole. It’s just hard, watching those cunt—” She shook her head. Swallowed. “They hate me. And I’m trying. For your sake, I’m trying.”

“You’re brave, baby. I appreciate your efforts, but if it’s hurting you, we can go.”

“I don’t deserve you.” She stared through the glass doors, our table visible at the end of the long hallway. Martin’s arm hung loose over Natalie’s shoulder.

Victoria mumbled, “Hands off…” but her words were carried away by the warm breeze.

“What did you say?” I asked.

“Nothing,” she snapped, cheeks blazing, eyes narrowed. “Can we go?”

“Yeah. Let me hit the head. I’ll call for a car.”

“I can drive,” she said, words clipped.

“You’ve had more to drink than I have.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but I pinched her lips and shook my head. “We’ve both had too much to drink.”

“Yeah. You’re right.”

“Meet you at the table?”

“Meet me outside.” She walked away, her gait only a tad shakier than mine.

Two men stood at the bathroom sink. Suits and shiny hair. They shot me simultaneous nods and continued their conversation.

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