Page 22 of L.O.V.E

A hand came over my shoulder, then soft breaths in my ear. “I’m heading to the ladies’ room. Be right back.” Victoria kissed my cheek.

“I’ll go with you.” I pushed to stand but she held me down.

“It’s okay. Stay. Enjoy the music. I’ll be two secs.” She kissed me again.

When Mona started her rendition of “Someone To Watch Over Me,” fingers dug into my thigh.

“My favorite song,” Natalie said to the stage.

She looked down and jerked the offending hand away. “Oh, God. I’m sorry.” She flashed an impish grin.

I mourned the loss of her fingers, the warmth, the physical connection. I blamed that bullshit on the music.

Because I was not a cheater.

The song ended, leaving my emotions drained, but my soul sated.

Then Mona spoke into the mic, her voice sultry still. “Before I take a break, I have a special song for two lovebirds out there. Nat and Cole, this one’s for you.” She shot a wink our direction, though I was sure she couldn’t see us.

“Oh, no.” Natalie groaned. “She thinks were together.” She laughed and shrugged, then settled back into her seat.

Mona crooned a familiar tune. “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole. I smiled, a flood of memories washing over me. My grandfather singing to my grandmother, swinging her around the room. Then I laughed, finally understanding. Natalie King. Cole Adams.

Mona sang. Natalie sang along. I was no longer mesmerized by the artist on stage but the woman sitting next to me. I fell in love. Again. With the song. With life. With crowded bars. With a woman I hardly knew.

My insides shifted. My gut twisted.

I reached behind and grabbed Victoria’s drink, downing her half-empty glass in one shot.

Where the hell was my fiancée? And where was Martin? I stole his whiskey and downed that, too.

Natalie was clueless to my agitation. Good.

I stared long and hard at my best friend’s girlfriend. Tried my damnedest to rile all the hatred and disgust I could muster.

Only, I couldn’t find one thing I didn’t like about the temptress, aside from the fact she was bewitching.

Mona finished. Promised she would return shortly.

The lights came on. Natalie wiped more tears. “God, she gets me every time.” She gave me a playful nudge with her elbow.

Temptress.

I excused myself to the restroom. I stopped at the bar. Ordered a shot. Then made my way to the men’s room.

Martin was nowhere to be seen. Maybe he’d gone outside for a smoke. He was notorious for falling into old habits after a drink or two. Be it nicotine, women, or bad decisions.

When I returned to our table, Vic was typing on her phone. Martin and Natalie sat close, having a private conversation. He rubbed her thigh. She seemed to like his attention. Good.

Natalie King was less attractive in my best friend’s arms.

Six drinks. Three sets of sultry love songs.

One Uber ride home.

Victoria helped me to bed.

The last thing I remembered was tasting cigarettes on her lips and asking when she’d started smoking.

---