Alison laughs. “No, he didn’t, but thank you,” she tells her, before lightly punching me in the arm. “You didn’t get me a gift?”

  I rub the back of my neck. “I didn’t know I had to,” I admit, before I notice Joseph walking past. I grab him by his suit jacket, pulling him beside me. I grin at Alison as she rolls her eyes. “I got you him.”

  “No, I got him myself, but nice save,” she comments, before I notice her stiffen, a change coming over her that she only gets around one person.

  Our sister. Her twin.

  I turn, pasting on a fake smile. “Natalie,” I greet, before moving beside Charlotte.

  Her gaze runs over Charlotte, her lip curling. “This is your date?”

  I narrow my gaze. “Don’t start.”

  “I’m not; I just didn’t think you’d actually find someone off the street.”

  “We actually met at his gym,” Charlotte interrupts. “I’m Charlotte, by the way.”

  When Natalie ignores her outstretched hand and runs her gaze once more over Charlotte’s attire, I grit my teeth.

  “Really?” she says.

  Charlotte nods, the passive-aggressive comment going over her head. “Yes. My cousin is co-owner now.”

  Natalie looks to me. “So, this is a pity date?”

  “Natalie, not tonight,” Alison snaps.

  “Are you angry with me?” Charlotte blurts out. “I can’t tell. But if I’ve offended you, I’m sorry.”

  I burst out laughing, pulling Charlotte against me. She fits so easily, her head resting over my heart.

  Alison ducks her head, struggling to keep her laughter at bay.

  Natalie steps forward, her hands balled into fists. “Excuse me?”

  Charlotte points to her face. “Your face isn’t moving, so I can’t tell what you’re feeling. Your tone says angry, but your face… there’s not a lot going on.”

  “What?” Natalie gawks, her face reddening.

  “Oh my God,” I murmur, struggling to keep the laughter inside.

  “Your expression— You don’t have one.”

  Natalie takes a step forward, her hand rising. I quickly spin, pulling Charlotte away before Natalie causes a fight she will definitely lose. Charlotte might look timid and shy, but I have seen her punch the punching bag, and it was not pretty. Natalie has none of that inside her. All she has is hate and self-loathing, which she tries to dress up with plastic surgery and fillers and a lot of vulgar behaviour.

  Charlotte waves over her shoulder. “It was nice to meet you.”

  I begin to laugh. Bringing Charlotte was the best decision I made. Until I spot Eloise coming our way. I quickly steer Charlotte to the left.

  “Where are we going?” she asks.

  “Let’s dance.”

  “I love dancing,” she gushes.

  I swing her around, pulling her into my arms. Now we’re away from the family, from Natalie’s rude behaviour, and it’s just us, everything from before comes rushing back and I’m back in the moment.

  As she presses her body against mine, my cock twitches.

  “I love this song,” she whispers as she places her hands on my shoulders.

  My arms lay limply at my sides because I don’t know what to do with them, but then she closes her eyes and her expression… it pulls at my heart strings. I can’t think of anything more beautiful in this moment.

  I find myself reaching for her, placing my hands at her waist. At first, my touch is light, almost hesitant, but the longer I watch her savour the music, I forget about it all, pulling her in closer.

  It’s Ed Sheeran’s, Thinking Out Loud playing. It’s not something I normally listen to, yet with Charlotte in my arms, my feet are already moving, and we slowly begin to move to the beat.

  “I’m sorry about Natalie. I promise she isn’t always like this,” I tell her.

  She smiles gently up at me. “I’m sorry too. It wasn’t until we moved away that I realised she has had fillers. They freak me out.”

  My lips tug up at the corners. “Another thing that freaks you out?”

  She nods solemnly. “Yes. It’s like your fear of being blind. You said you go on people’s expressions. This is just the same. We’re blind to them. And… it really just freaks me out. It’s not attractive at all. Not when they go too far with them.” She groans, dropping her head forward, banging her forehead against my chest. “I’m being judgemental.”

  I laugh, swaying us to the right. “Then I think they injected my mum’s face to be permanently set in a resting bitch face.”

  Her hair falls back as she tilts her head up, laughing. “Don’t be mean.”

  “It’s true,” I declare, chuckling as the song comes to an end. “Why don’t we get you a drink?”

  When an acoustic song comes on, her grip tightens. “This is a favourite song of mine. Let’s have one more dance.”

  I smile, pulling her closer until her head is resting against my chest. “Who is it?”

  “It’s Lover by Taylor Swift,” she whispers, before I feel her humming along to the song.

  I rest my head on the top of hers, soaking in her vanilla scent. “One more song,” I whisper back.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHARLOTTE

  I busy myself near the edge of the dance floor as I wait for Drew to come back with our drinks. I spot him at the bar and give him a small wave and a smile.

  He’s a good dancer. A great date. And if this was real, it would be the best first date of my life. Not that I have had many.

  Many think a first date is successful because of the food they ate, the place they went to, or the activity they took part in. They’re mere contributions. It’s the person you spend time with, the connection you feel, that matters. It’s in the way they touch you, look at you, hold you.

  And he’s done it the opposite to how he looks. He’s been gentle, respectful, and I’ve had tingles in all the right places.

  I was hesitant to leave the dance floor when the last song ended. I could have stayed in his arms all night and been content because in that fraction of a moment, it was us and it felt real. Not just some favour to a friend.

  He was treating me the way I’ve always dreamed of being treated. The only thing missing was the stolen kisses. And there had been moments tonight when I wanted to lean up and steal a kiss.

  I immediately put those thoughts to the side when a tall, slender woman comes to stand in front of me. I have no right in thinking them anyway, not when Scott still haunts my dreams. I was a fool then, and I’d be a fool now if I thought it would be any different. He’s just being a gentleman. It means nothing.

  The woman with upturned eyes continues to stare down at me.

  “Can I help you?”

  Her lip curls—or at least I think it does. It’s hard to tell since that area of her face has more fillers than cheeks. “You are here with Andrew?”

  My brows pull together. “Andrew?”

  She flicks her perfect, honey-blonde curls over her shoulder. “I guess you would call him Drew.”

  I smile, wondering if this is another relative. “Yes, I’m here with Andrew.”

  “I’m surprised he brought a girl.”

  “Why? Does he normally bring a guy?”

  She looks at me like I’ve grown two heads, a look I’m accustomed to. “No. I meant I’m surprised he brought you. Any date really, but mostly you.” Her eyes run over my attire again, and she grimaces.

  I shake my head, unable to fathom what she’s trying to get at. “I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you mean. We get on really well, so why wouldn’t he bring me? Did he say we were arguing? Because we aren’t. We’ve never argued.”

  “Oh my gosh, you really are weird,” she bites out, her venom coming from nowhere.

  “I’m sorry, have we met before?”

  “God no,” she spits out.

  “Then what is it you want?”

  “I did feel sorry for you, but now I think I should feel sorry for him.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, he’d never go for anyone like you,” she tells me, running her gaze up and down my body. “Too much meat. He’s into his fitness— likes them flexible.”

  “I’ll have you know I can do the splits, and I’m not fat. I’m perfectly healthy, thank you.”

  “You are chubby.”

  This girl is rude and I’m growing frustrated. If only I could mimic Hayden… I quickly run through everything she would do or say if she were here in my shoes.

  And there’s only one thing I can come up with.

  “Fuck you!”

  Her expression drops and she gawks at me. “Excuse me?”

  I take a step forward, and she takes one back. “I’m sorry. I’m not sure what came over me.”

  “Save it for someone who cares. Grace will be hearing of this. I’m sure she’ll love to know who her son is loitering with.”

  “Mother knows exactly who I’m spending my time with, Eloise.”

  Eloise.

  This is the girl his mum was trying to set him up with. I run my gaze over her once more, this time sceptically. She isn’t his match. Not at all. For one, he’s kind, whereas she’s not. He’s filled with life, and she seems vapid and shallow.

  And she’s so skinny he’d probably snap her if he gave her a hug.

  “She just told me to—”

  “Eloise, why are you here?”

  She pastes on a fake smile, sticking her chest out. For the first time I notice her cleavage and wonder if she realises the move isn’t attractive.

  “Let’s start over,” she tells him sweetly. “It’s so good to see you and I don’t want our first time to be clouded by…” Her lip curls when she turns to me. She clears her throat, her expression relaxing somewhat. “Thank you, I’m parched.”

  His lips part as she takes the drink from his hand. Nuh uh. No way. I smile sweetly, quickly taking the drink from her. “Whoopsie, that’s mine.”

  Drew chuckles as he comes to stand closer to me. “Well, it’s been… something, but we’re going to find some food.”

  She places her hand on his arm, stopping him. “Why? We’ve not seen each other in nearly a year, if not longer. I’m sure…”

  At her snide look, I reply. “I’m Charlotte.”

  Her smile tightens. “I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if we go somewhere and catch up.”

  I wave her off. “Of course not.” I choke on my drink when Drew nudges me. “But then who would remind me to take my meds?”

  Eloise’s eyes widen. “Meds?”

  I nod. “Exactly.”

  Drew chuckles as he pulls me against his chest. I lean against him, loving the scent of his cologne. It’s enough to make my vagina tingle. The rich, spicy scent filling my senses.

  “Eloise,” a replica of Alison greets.

  Natalie’s back, and although her and Alison are twins, they’re nothing alike. And the difference isn’t because of all the surgery and Botox Natalie has had; it’s their personalities.

  “Drew, brother, not trying to run off again, are we?”

  He steps away, giving his sister a hug, though not a warm one like he had given Alison. This one is standoffish, tense.

  “Be good,” he warns, thinking I can’t hear him.

  She shares a look with Eloise. “I see it didn’t take you long to find Eloise.”

  “She found us,” he tells her.

  “I was just saying, we should go somewhere a little quieter so we can catch up, but his friend—”

  “Girlfriend,” I interject, hoping they believe the sweet lie.

  “Girlfriend, doesn’t feel comfortable with us being alone.”

  “I never said—”

  Natalie clucks her tongue. “I’m sure you can bear to be apart for just a short while. After all, they were very good friends once upon a time.”

  I gulp the rest of my drink, already feeling the effects of the alcohol running through my system.

  “Charlotte and I have other plans.”

  “Really?”

  “Natalie, it might have escaped you but you can’t pull the wool over my eyes like you do everyone around you. I’m here with my girlfriend and I’d like for you to respect that.”

  “Of course I respect that. Why don’t I keep her company while you and Eloise catch up?”

  “No,” he tells her sharply, before taking my hand. He pulls us away from them and I turn a little, waving to them over my shoulder.

  “Nice to meet you,” I call out, earning death stares in return.

  “I’m sorry about that. She can be a little… much.”

  “It’s okay. I’m used to it.”

  He gently pulls me to a stop, staring so deeply into my eyes it almost feels like he can read my thoughts.

  He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “Never get used to it.”

  My lips part as I sway toward him. “It’s fine. Sometimes people just don’t get me.”

  “Because they’ve never seen a star shine so brightly,” he tells me, his eyes widening slightly at his own words. “Let’s dance.”

  He goes to take my drink and for a moment, I nearly let him.

  “One minute.” I gulp the rest of the drink down before leaving the empty glass on the table.

  “Drew, dear. Drew.”

  I see his mum walking as steadily and as fast as she can toward us without actually running. Drew’s fingers tighten around mine as he ignores her calls and swings me around. I’m not sure what song is playing, but it doesn’t matter. This one has a faster beat, and I laugh as he twirls me around, causing the edge of my dress to spin around me.

  I’m bursting with joy as I slam back into his chest. “Thank you for inviting me.”

  “Thank you for coming and putting up with my torturous family.”

  “Alison isn’t that bad.”

  “She’s the good twin,” he teases, twirling me out and then back in.

  I place one hand on his chest, grinning. “We should make this night good for you too.”

  His eyes darken as he pulls me closer. “And how do you think we are going to manage that with my mum circling like a shark hunting its prey.”

  I chuckle. “My uncle always says alcohol solves everything.”

  “Alcohol?”

  “Yeah, you can handle anything with alcohol in your system.”

  He grimaces. “I wish, but I’m driving.”

  I shrug. “We’ll find another way home.”

  He pauses for a moment, thinking about it. “You know what? Fuck it. Let’s go have a drink.”

  I laugh as he pulls me off the dance floor, but it fades away the minute his mum stands in front of us, her arms crossed over her chest as she frowns disapprovingly. “Really, Andrew? You must have heard me call you.”

  “Mother, it’s so good to see you. How are you?” he asks, leaning down to peck her on the cheek.

  She eyes me much the same as her daughter and Eloise had. “I see you brought a date.”

  “Alison said I could bring a plus one.”

  “Yes, well, it didn’t mean bring just anyone.”

  “I’m his girlfriend,” I announce happily, watching her expression strain like she’s constipated.

  “I’m sure,” she snidely replies before turning to her son. “Have you had a chance to catch up with Eloise? She is looking remarkably beautiful tonight.”

  “We’ve seen her,” he replies tersely.

  An older man with greying hair steps up to Grace, placing a hand on the small of her back much the same way as Drew is doing to me. The reminder only makes me more hyper aware of his hand touching me. A shiver runs down my spine every time his thumb caresses my back.

  “Drew, it is so good to see you, son,” the man greets happily. “And who is this beautiful young lady?”

  “This is my girlfriend, Charlotte,” he answers, before sharing a man hug. They slap each other on the back before putting space between them. Drew comes back to my side, placing his hand lower on my back. I shiver, stepping closer. “Charlotte, this is my step-father, Wesley.”

  I hold out my hand and give him a bright smile. “It’s so lovely to meet you. Drew has said some wonderful things about you.”

  He hasn’t said much but I know from my upbringing it’s the polite thing to say.

  He shares a look with Drew, giving him a wink.

  “I like her,” he tells him before shaking my hand. “What a pleasure.”

  “Really, Wesley. Must you encourage him?” Grace snarks.

  Wesley sighs and rolls his eyes heavenward. “Must you make his life hell every time you see him, my love?”

  She huffs out a breath. “You could have both made an effort to dress up.”

  I run a hand over my dress, one that isn’t cheap or casual. It’s stunning.

  “Mum, don’t insult me or my guest.”

  “I’m just saying, dear. Eloise is single. You belong together.”

  “Why do they belong together?” I blurt out, insulted by her words. It isn’t very often I let things get to me, but her bluntness is on another level.

  Wesley’s lips twitch as he eyes a speechless Grace. “I believe she asked you a question, my love.”

  “We’re going to the bar,” Drew announces.

  “Just spend time with Eloise, son. She will be a good wife and you can clearly do a lot worse.”

  “And we’re going,” Drew snaps, pulling me away.

  I give Wesley a wave. He gives me a two-finger wave back, then winks at me. I chuckle to myself as we head to the bar.

  “I really am so fucking sorry about them. If I knew they were going to be as rude as they have been, I would never have let you come and be victim to it.”

  I lean against the bar. “You’d be surprised by what I can handle. I don’t suck in the negative energy. It’s irrelevant to me. I choose to take in and absorb the positive.”

  “That’s one way of living,” he murmurs, mesmerised for a moment.

  “It is. Negative energy gets you nowhere and gives you nothing. It doesn’t make your life better,” I explain. “It’s why I choose to only share the positivity in the world.”

  He opens his mouth, ready to say something, but for some reason, chooses not to and instead turns to the barman, giving him our order.