“You look gorgeous.”
“Thanks. So do you.”
Offering me an arm, he leads me down to dinner, his free hand covering mine where it rests in the crook of his elbow. Braden and Liv follow us, giggling and flirting like high schoolers. According to Zander, Braden’s already hit the open bar. More than once. So it’s no surprise when, first thing, he leads Liv there and orders her a Long Island Iced Tea. I opt for wine.
Our meal is nothing to write home about. The chicken cordon bleu tastes okay, but the twice-baked potatoes are dry. I pick at mine while Zander keeps a watchful eye on my wineglass, never letting it get below half full. He offers me some of his chicken when he notices it’s the only thing I like, and makes sure the bread basket is never out of my reach.
At our table, spring break in Panama City is the topic du jour. Who’s rooming with whom, who’s bringing the hard liquor, who got arrested last year.
Zander leans in and murmurs in my ear, “You’re welcome to come, you know.”
“I know. Liv’s already invited me.” About thirty times in the past week.
“Well, nowI’minviting you.” In other words, he wants me to go withhim—lie on the beach with him, drink with him, party with him. Sleep with him.
“I don’t know if I’m going yet.” I’m pretty sure I’m not. I mean, I shouldn’t, should I? Or would a week of relaxation and oblivion be exactly what I need after months of so much turmoil?
Zander full-on smiles, making me wriggle in my gold-painted chair. He’s confident he can convince me to go, and with Braden and Liv on his side, he’s got a better shot than I’d like to admit.
“Come on, Betsy.” Braden gives me a charming, lopsided grin. “I can’t babysit Zander all by myself.”
“I’m not interested in a working vacation.”
“Yeah, but I hear the pay is fantastic.”
I roll my eyes at him, trying and failing to suppress a smile. “Shut up and eat your vegetables.”
Under the table, Zander squeezes my knee. And because of his attentiveness, because of his lethal dimples, because of the amount of wine I’ve consumed, I don’t brush him away. Even when his hand creeps further up my thigh.
After dessert, two servers in bow ties and black vests swing open the doors to the ballroom. Masquerade masks in an array of metallic colors lay in rows on a table beside the entrance. Some have glitter, others feathers or rhinestones. The guys go for the simple ones in silver, black, and blue. But I select a white mask, with curlicues of frosty glitter and a feather on one side.
Liv helps me get it on without messing up my hair. “Perfect.” She pops a chef’s kiss, then lets me adjust the black and silver, rhinestone-studded mask she’s chosen to go with her black dress. She’s so stunningly beautiful, I can’t understand how Braden isn’t on his knees.
I take Zander’s arm as we enter the ballroom. Fairy lights sparkle from the ceiling like stars, and floor-to-ceiling windows offer a picture-perfect view of downtown Asheville. The DJ opens with a slow song, calling couples to the dance floor like the Pied Piper. Zander leads me right into the middle of the throng and pulls me in close.
“Thanks for coming tonight.”
I stretch my arms over his shoulders. “I have to admit, I’m having a nice time.” He seems to be working awfully hard to show me what I’ve given up.
“With me?”
“Yes, with you.”
He runs his hand up my back and murmurs softly, “Do you miss me at all?”
Admittedly, there’s a lot to miss: his smile, his laugh, and how I fit so perfectly in his arms. “Yes,” I say. Because maybe wearing this mask makes it easier for me to say the truth aloud.
He tilts his head like he’s about to kiss me, but I turn away, my self-protective instincts kicking in. I hook my arms under his and tip my head against his jaw, reminiscing as we sway. It was uncomplicated being Zander’s girlfriend. A simple equation with only three variables: time, devotion, and sex. So long as I consistently gave him all three, he was affectionate and faithful. So close to perfect, and yet so not.
Because nobody owns me.
When the DJ starts a round of dance music, we break apart and I sweep all these concerns aside. I came tonight to have fun, not to ruminate on relationships, especially the ones I’ve been in as of late.
Soon we’re joined by Braden, Liv, and several others, including none other than Lara. Her haughty posture and red hair are enough to give her away, even in her gold mask.
“Betts, it’s so good to see you,” she says, like she’s the hostess of this shindig and I was at the bottom of the invite list. “I wasn’t sure if you were going to come.”
“Well, here I am.”Sorry if I’m wrecking your plans to smash Zander tonight.
