I feel just like the mermaid—a fish out of water.
There must be hundreds of us inside the church. And it seems like everyone here is extensively documenting the event with their phones, except for me. I’ve never seen such outlandish fashion choices in one room. It’s as if they’re all trying to outdress one another.
Then there’s Connie.
God, then there’s Connie.
I was stunned when I first saw her outfit back at the hotel.Her white dress appears wet at first glance, the fabric hugging her curves as if she just climbed out of the sea alongside the mermaid. Even her hair and makeup appear wet, and it’s hard not to feel like a chump beside her with my ripped jeans and leather jacket I stole from Ozzy.
But I don’t let it ruin my night. Not when all eyes are on Connie, but her eyes are on me and onlyme.
We’ve been here for over an hour, and Connie keeps telling me she doesn’t know anyone here, but people continue to come up to her to chat and take selfies. She must be way more famous than I thought. It’s a weird concept to wrap my head around when I’ve always only ever known her as just James’ best friend from LA.
“Drink?” Connie asks, rattling the half-melted ice in her empty rocks glass.
I nod. “Sure.”
Not wanting to ruin her lip gloss, I press a quick kiss on her forehead before I weave us through the crowd. While we wait for our drinks, she pulls out her phone from the small pearl purse hanging from her wrist. It’s not the first picture she’s taken of us tonight, but my stomach still flips as if it is. I feel silly reacting to something so small, but for once, I ignore my negative thoughts and just enjoy the moment.
“We look really hot together,” Connie says matter-of-factly, as she zooms in on our faces, studying the picture.
As more time passes between us, the more things feel solid. Like we’re slowly becoming an official couple. Although I know we’re not there yet, it sure as hell feels like we are when she says shit like that. I chuckle under my breath, resting an elbow on the bar.
“It’s your sex appeal, it’s rubbing off on me.”
Connie giggles. “Oh, is it now?” she says.
Her hands smooth up my torso and end up resting on my shoulders. I take the opportunity to wrap an arm around herwaist and pull her against me. We share a loaded look, our faces close together. It only lasts a few seconds, but it makes the crowd around us melt away.
I tug her even closer.
“You’re so pretty, it hurts,” I whisper.
Her smile is gradual, almost like she’s slowly processing what I’ve just said. But the way she smiles back … It’s warm and thoughtful, as if she’s heard my silent confession between the words I’ve spoken out loud.
The moment fades when the bartender returns with our cocktails. I let go of Connie and grab our drinks, stuffing a twenty in the tip jar since it’s open bar. I still have my back turned when I hear a commotion behind me. It sounds like it’s happening close to the entrance, and I can practically feel the air shift as excited shouts and murmurs ripple through the crowd.
Curious, I turn to see what’s happening.
Shock ripples through me like a threat when I spot Connie’s ex walking into the party.
He’s strutting like a peacock, his black hair perfectly coiffed and slicked back. There’s a smug look on his face as if he knows all the attention is on him. The surprise I initially feel seeing him wears off, and I scoff, not wanting to waste any more of my time on that loser.
“What the fuck is he doing here?” I say as I turn my attention to Connie.
It’s when I see the look on her face that my stomach truly sinks. She doesn’t appear to have heard me; her eyes are still tracking her ex across the room. I was expecting some kind of disgust or anger, but her expression is far more complex than simple repulsion. It’s hard to pinpoint what she might be feeling, but all I know is that it’s not clear-cut, and it’s confusing as all hell to witness.
There’s history there that I’m not privy to, and I suddenly feel like the stranger in this stupid fucking equation.
“I need a smoke,” I mutter, abandoning our drinks at the bar.
Connie’s attention finally snaps back to me, and her eyes widen as if experiencing a whirlwind of emotions all at once.
“Wait,” she says, her hand reaching out for me, but she drops it before ever making contact. “I’m not — I just —”
She gives up trying to make sense and just stares at me, dewy lips slightly parted.
“It’s okay,” I say calmly, even though there’s nothingokayabout how I’m feeling. “I just need some air.”
