Yet here I was, planning to stay in Dallas another night, all because my f**k buddy wanted me to.
Way to have your priorities straight, Vivian.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Maysie said sheepishly and I tried to rein in my bristling temper.
“So what will you be doing?” Riley asked.
Before I could answer, I noticed a group of so hot it should be illegal men walking into the restaurant. The boys of Generation Rejects had arrived.
Jordan was talking to Riley’s boyfriend, Garrett who was his usual grungtastic self. He would be gorgeous if not for that stringy blond hair and no sense of style. But seeing the way Riley’s face lit up when she saw him, I knew that his ability to coordinate outfits wasn’t even a factor.
Jordan and Garrett bee-lined for our table. I tried not to feel a twinge of jealousy as Garrett leaned down and kissed the top of Riley’s head. She smiled; a genuine, full-lipped smile that was so dazzling it took me aback.
They were such an unlikely couple. But now, watching them, and despite how different they were, you could see how much they loved each other. It was times like this, when I was face to face with the fabulousness of my friends’ love lives that I felt like I was missing something. Most of the time I was okay with things.
But I was a woman damn it! And I wanted to feel loved and adored as much as the next girl.
I can’t get enough. I’m addicted to you.
Cole’s words from that morning rang in my ears. When he was sweet and caring it made me think that maybe one day. . .
It was official. I was an idiot.
My eyes flitted over to Cole, who was standing with Mitch at the entryway to the restaurant. Cole was chatting up the cute and overly flirtatious hostess. I recognized the sexy smirk all too well.
The hostess, a pretty little thing with dark red hair and pert little br**sts, brushed her fingers over Cole’s arm and his grin grew wider. The two walked a few steps away from Mitch and I could see they were engaged in a very private conversation.
I felt my face go hot and my temper start to flare.
Maybe one day my ass!
I hated how easily he made me look like a fool.
I hated that Cole humiliated me without a second thought.
I hated that he made me feel as though I didn’t matter, despite all of his protests to the contrary just hours before.
‘I’m addicted to you’ apparently didn’t equate to I won’t make you look like the world’s biggest moron.
Mitch seemed to get bored with waiting for Cole, so he came over to join our table. He sat down beside Gracie, who blushed strangely. They gave each other a shy smile, their heads bowed in close together.
Normally I would have paid a bit more attention to that. But right now I was trying to control my need for blood.
I caught Maysie looking at me with that mixture of sympathy and frustration that was becoming all too familiar.
I purposefully turned away from my friend and thought about how best to react.
I watched as the hostess wrote something down on a piece of paper and Cole tucked it into his pocket.
I wanted to scream.
I wanted to flip over the table.
I wanted to rip the trampy hostess’ hair out.
Then I caught Cole’s less than subtle glance my way. Our eyes clashed and I knew instantly that he was more than aware of what he was doing.
He was silently daring me to act.
He wanted me to.
I could almost smell his excitement from here.
The red head hostess touched his arm again, but his attention stayed on me. I knew what he wanted from me. What he expected.
I thought back to the hundreds of times before when I would do exactly what he was waiting for me to do right now.
I looked back to my friends, each of them were staring at me, wondering what I was planning. The guys were less obvious but I knew they too were poised and ready to intervene should it come to that.
When had I become such a joke?
I swallowed thickly and picked up my purse from the floor.
I gave Gracie a thin, fake smile. “Can I have your room key? I think I’ll wait up there until it’s time for us to catch our flight,” I said tightly.
I couldn’t help but notice the way everyone around the table sagged in obvious relief. No sideshow today folks.
Gracie handed me the key card and I got to my feet, noticing that Cole was heading my way. I didn’t want to talk to him. I didn’t want to hear anything he had to say. I was just really, really tired all of a sudden.
I turned on my heel and left the restaurant.
“Viv!”
I kept walking, knowing what would happen if I stopped.
“Vivian! Hold up!” Cole called out.
And for the first time, I didn’t wait for him to catch up. I didn’t give him the chance to dance his way out of trouble and into my pants.
This time I kept on walking.
3
“How’s this skirt?” I asked Gracie as I modeled the fifth outfit I had tried on that morning. I was getting ready for my first day at my new job and I was having a near coronary as I tried to figure out what I was going to wear.
Clothing was essential. It could either make or break a first impression. And I was looking for competent yet sassy. But I was having a difficult time finding the right outfit to showcase my personality.
Everything seemed to say trying too hard or gettin’ my club on.
“It’s a little working the corner don’t you think?” Gracie asked, screwing her face up. I pivoted around, looking at my reflection.
“Really? I love this skirt,” I complained. I had really hoped this one would work. But Gracie was right. Flashing my hoo-hah when I bent over would not project the professional image I was going for.
I unzipped and slithered out of the confining fabric. I stood in my garters and thong, not embarrassed in the least. Gracie had seen me in less. Modesty was not my thing anyway.
“I wish we were the same size, G. Your blue skirt and white, lace blouse would be perfect,” I muttered, rooting through my considerable wardrobe to look for a suitable ensemble.
My phone chirped from where it lay on the dresser. Before I could reach for it, Gracie snatched it up and tapped the screen.
“Ahh!” she shrieked, tossing the phone onto the bed.
I grabbed it, wondering what had elicited such a response from her. I swiped the screen and started laughing. Because staring back at me, was an up close and personal picture of Cole’s junk. I’d recognize that vine tattoo and slight bend to the left anywhere.
And I swear to God it was winking at me!
Trying to stop giggling, I quickly deleted it and turned off the phone with a roll of my eyes.