Page 40 of Unhinged Desires

“Sure, that’s likely to never happen. There’s no way you can make yourself ugly, no matter how much you try,” she says.

“Argh, maybe I’ll just call my mum and dad and tell them I’m coming down with the flu or something.” I throw my head back against the couch, closing my eyes.

“If you do that, your mum will be on your doorstep within the hour with a doctor.” She laughs again, clearly amused by my distress.

My eyes pop open, the lightbulb suddenly going off in my head. “You can come with me. Yes, let’s do that. That way, if I give you the signal that we need an escape, you can say you have to leave and I have to go with you because I’m the driver.”

“Sure, I’ll come and have dinner with your parents. But you’re definitely overreacting, Lucy. They’re hardly going to make you date some guy you’re not interested in.”

Shar doesn’t understand the enigma that is Dominic McKinley. Hopefully when she sets eyes on him, she’ll finally get it. I could also admit to her that the creep has been stalking me—oh, and there’s the small fact I had phone sex with him. Twice.AndI let him finger me in the bathroom of a charity event.

I decide to keep all of that to myself for now. “Maybe, but they haven’t stopped talking about him and how they want us to meet. And blah, blah, blah. Anyway, it’ll be fine if you’re there.” I’ve already met him. But the little white lie slips from my tongue effortlessly, without me even meaning to deceive my best friend. I wrap my arms around Shar, hiding my face because I’m afraid she’ll be able to see right through me. “I’m so lucky I have you,” I tell her.

I’m not sure why I’m lying in the first place. I usually tell her every single thought in my head. But when it comes to Dominic, there’s something holding me back. Almost like I want to keep him… this… whatever this is… all to myself and not share it with anyone. Which is ludicrous and probably what’s going to have me end up as a missing person on page five of the newspaper.

“Right back at ya, LuLu,” Shar says, squeezing me in return.

* * *

I walkinto the house with Shar by my side. Mum is already in the foyer waiting for us.

“It’s good to see you again, Shar. Come on in. Everyone’s in the dining room.” Mum smiles at Shar before giving me the type of look that only a mother can.

“Sorry we’re late, Mum. Traffic was backed up,” I lie, something I seem to be doing a lot lately. We’re late because, up until we exited the car two minutes ago, I was still trying to find creative ways to cancel.

“Mhmm, I’m sure it was. You look lovely, darling. Come on, let’s eat before everything goes cold.” Mum turns, leaving me and Shar to follow her.

My steps falter as I enter the dining room, and Shar runs right into my back. “Lucy, what the hell?” she hisses before stepping around me and pausing.

There was that little bit of hope that he wouldn’t show up. Hope that just blew up in my face. Because sitting at my family’s dining table is the bane of my existence… alongside his parents. As well as Xavier. That little ass told me he wasn’t going to be here. I’m so relieved that he is though. I watch as my brother’s eyes roam up and down my best friend before his gaze lands on me.

“Lucy, you remember the McKinleys and their son, Dominic,” my dad says.

“Ah, yeah. Hi, how are you…?” I wave awkwardly as I approach the table, my steps reluctant. Tentative.

“Shar, this is Dean and Ella McKinley and their son, Dominic,” Dad introduces everyone.

I take the seat next to Xavier. Shar sits on my other side. I’m safe here. I’m surrounded by people who would never let Dominic touch me if I didn’t want him to. The problem, though, is that even as I look over at his cold, dead stare… Iwant him to. I want him to touch me in all the ways he shouldn’t. He’s staring right back at me like I’m his prey, like he’s ready to pounce at a moment’s notice. He’s dressed down tonight, not sporting the tux I saw him in last weekend.

Although I think I like this look even better.

The black shirt he’s wearing matches the darkness of his hair and eyes. There’s a sleeve of tattoos down one of his arms, tattoos I want to explore. With my fingertips, my mouth, my tongue. His skin is golden, which is odd because I always assumed dead things would be more pale. Like vampires and zombies.

Shar’s hand squeezes mine under the table. “Are you okay?” she whispers.

“Fine, just bloody fine,” I hiss under my breath. Although the slight tilt of Dominic’s lips tells me he heard me.

By the time dessert arrives at the table, I’m flustered. A hot mess of hormones and mixed emotions. Being trapped under Dominic’s glare is no easy feat. I glance over at Xavier and my eyes drop to his plate.

“You requested a different dessert?” I ask him.

“Honey’s my new favourite flavour,” he says in reply.

“Excuse me.” Shar stands abruptly and practically runs out of the dining room.

When she returns a few minutes later, I look at her in question. “Are you okay?”

“Ah, yeah, I just feel a headache coming on,” she tells me.

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