Page 116 of Brooklyn Cupid

But I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen Becky stare. She does. At Roey.

He winks at her. “She likes me,” he whispers to me.

“Stay away from Lu’s friends.”

“Why?” he dismisses my warning. “Fuck, she’s even hotter when I’m sober. That’s unusual.”

He’s not sober. But Beckyishot in an orange designer jumpsuit with super-low cleavage and stiletto boots, her lush hair twisted on top of her head in a slick bun.

“Are you talking about me?” Becky saunters over, hips swaying in a seductive warning. She’s clearly trying to show herself off to Roey.

We get drinks, and before I know it, Roey brings another round as we make our way through the exhibition.

I wrap my arm around Lu, which catches Becky’s attention, and she gives me a tiny approving nod. That’s new.

The exhibition is a maze. Red lighting, dim corridors, and some crazy installation art that doesn’t make sense. That’s the key these days. The less you understand something, the more trendy it gets. The shock factor is a draw.

I’m feeling really good, but this place sucks. I want different music, something more chill. I want to sit down or splay on a bed. Everything makes me smile. Lu is happy and laughs, looking amazing in her high heels and a flowery summer dress.

Just two months ago, she was a random girl who stepped into my scope vision. Now, she openly kisses me on the cheek and bats her eyelashes at me. In fucking public. Whoa. I feel like a peacock, wanting to spread my bushy tail and puff out my chest.

“This show sucks,” she whispers to me, on her third cocktail already, and I laugh like a fool. We think alike.

After being sick for several days, we feel like we got reborn. So we celebrate.

Tito shows up an hour later with a guy in a suit and wearing glasses. So, Tito is into serious guys. And into glasses.

“Who’s that? Another rebound?” I ask Lu.

“Actually, that’s Jamie, his ex. Or current—I guess we’ll find out soon enough. The one he needs a rebound from.”

“Oh.”

“They are in love, but Tito is a party-head, and Jamie is a little older, and still in the closet.”

“Right.”

I feel happy. It takes me some time to realize that I’m suspiciously way too relaxed.

Lu is tipsy too. “You look dreamy, Jace. I like it. I’m gonna go network.” She says the word like she hates it.

Roey chuckles. “See? You just needed a little push.”

“What push?”

He gives me puppy eyes.

Oh, no. I know that fucking look. He’s up to something.

“Roey?” I warn him.

“Yes, Jace?” he mimics.

“What’s up?”

“Feeling good, buddy?”

“Yeah. I’m fine. I—” Then it hits me. “You didnot.”

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