Without a moment’s notice, there’s a commotion at the main doors and flashes of cameras shutter.
My breath is knocked from my chest as I take in Sebastian and Arianna walking into the ballroom, holding hands as if it was all real.
The sudden urge to vomit rages inside of me, but I push it down as the doors close and the happy couple walks toward me.
Sebastian and I weren’t coming together tonight, we couldn’t without giving ourselves away, but we also weren’t bringing anyone. That is until this whole farce with Arianna started.
Ignoring whatever Jennifer is saying, I watch them intently as they move across the room greeting people.
Arianna looks beautiful in an evergreen colored ball gown with an open back. Her hair is done up in a ballerina bun. Everyone in the room turns and looks at them, making me feel less and less in comparison, even though that wasn’t their intention.
“Oh my god, that’s his girlfriend?” Jennifer asks beside me. “She’s gorgeous.”
My ears begin to ring at a decibel so loud it could shatter glass and my heart in one shot.
I nod trying to be polite, but I just want Jennifer to stop talking—stop complimenting Arianna.
I want to leave, go home, and crack open another bottle of tequila until I forget about this entire situation.
As they reach our table, I look up from my seat next to Jennifer, taking in Sebastian and Arianna standing on the other side of the table, where she’s clinging to his side like glue.
“Devin, Jennifer,” Sebastian nods. “It’s nice to see you here.”
I fake a smile, the tension in the room suffocating. “Sebastian,” I greet back. “It’s nice to see you, too.”
“Hi, I’m Arianna,” she says, removing herself from Sebastian’s side long enough to extend her hand to me.
Although I couldn’t care less to shake her hand, I take it in mine and try my best to act civil. “Nice to meet you, Arianna. I’m Devin.”
She smiles wide. “I’ve heard so many great things about you from Sebastian.
Her voice reminds me of nails on a chalkboard.
I smile at her, painting on my fakest one. “Glad to hear that.”
My eyes dart to Sebastian’s. He holds my gaze for a half a second before looking down at his date. I hope, in that brief moment, that he could can see the pain in my eyes. That he can see what having them this close to me, like this, is doing to me.
“Let’s go find Madison,” he suggests. His gaze flicks back to us before he adds, “Let’s get a drink as well.”
A small bit of relief flutters in my body. I’m going to watch them have a meal together, make small talk, and watch them pretend to be a couple. That’s going to be bad enough without having to spend then entire evening watching them.
Sebastian is giving me a reprieve.
She looks to Sebastian adoringly. “Sure, Bas. Sounds perfect.
Bas?
Jesus Christ.
This is going to be a long night.
* * *
After three longhours of watching Sebastian and Arianna together, I’m sure I’m going crazy.
I’m seeing things between them—little things I shouldn’t notice, but I do.
The way she looks at him.
