Page 30 of I Want You

I rolled my eyes at her.

“Who was it?”

“That’s not going to happen.”

“Oh come on,” Veruca complained. “That’s like giving me everything but the climax.”

“And this conversation is over,” I said, wanting away from the topic of Gen. I moved away from the corner and started to peruse the artwork. It was oddly comforting, the strokes of color on the canvas I was looking at. It felt calm to me, like the gentle waves on the quiet beach of the island I’d just come off.

Again, thoughts of Gen floated through my mind. I blinked away the beautiful eyes which had looked into mine as I came hard. I moved away, and directly into Veruca.

“Don’t look now,” Veruca said, looking behind me. “But your enemy just came in.”

I was confused. I didn’t have enemies. Turning around, I felt the air get knocked out of me as I looked over at Gen coming through the doors with a group of women, one of which was Mara. I looked back over at Veruca, my chest was constricting and my stomach was fluttery. The wine had been burning acid in my poor organs and I felt sick.

“Oh no,” Veruca said, taking the wine glass off me before I dropped it. “Not her.”

“Shut it.”

She did, but I could see the look of disappointment on her face. That almost made it worse. I wanted to leave. Veruca seemed to understand and she began to herd me toward the exit when I smelt her perfume behind me. Veruca stopped moving and I turned around to face the music.

“I thought that was you, Mattie,” she said with a warm smile. “How are you?”

“I’m well, and yourself?”

“Good, good. I didn’t know you were into art.”

I looked at the painting I had been admiring quickly before I planted a smile on my face. “Some art is nice, but mostly I’m here with a friend.”

Veruca stepped forward, her face telling Gen exactly how unimpressed she was to meet her.

“This is Veruca.”

“Veruca? As in swimwear Veruca?” Gen asked me, looking over at me quickly.

I nodded.

She turned back to Veruca. “Wow, I love your range. It fits me in every stage of my cycle.”

I bit back a laugh. Veruca did nothing but glare. Gen looked to me then, and back at Veruca.

“Nice to meet you, Veruca. Can I talk to Mattie for a minute?”

Veruca turned to me then and I nodded. She slid off, but she stayed close enough. It was rare to have such a friend like her, I was thankful she had stuck by my side.

“I know we didn’t have such a sweet parting as I had hoped,” Gen started. “But I’d like to be friends, if that’s okay with you?”

“I don’t think it would work, Gen, I’m sorry.”

“Why is that?” she asked.

“I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”

Gen sighed. “Come to dinner with me.”

“What?” I said, surprised by the change of topic. I had just turned down a friend request and now she was inviting me to dinner. “Are you serious?”

“We can sneak out of here, go somewhere quiet and just really talk. I think we both need it.”

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