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“I can assure you I’m not going anywhere.” Josh sneers at me.
“Where’s fucking security,” Sam curses as he looks around the room.
“Sam, Felix,” Mr. Rose says through gritted teeth.
“Yes, Sammy boy, stand down. My family just donated two million dollars to your charity, I think that is enough money to let us party, don’t you think?”
“That is a lot of money for a worthy charity,” Harper’s mother adds, and I can see the anguish on her face over the dilemma she’s been put in. I step back and place a reassuring hand on Harper’s back while I continue to glare at Josh.
“You look beautiful, Harper,” Josh says, turning his attention to her. “You remember, Ashley.” He grins.
“Oh, that’s what she looks like standing up. Last time we met you had her bent over your desk.” Josh’s parents gasp. “Felix, let’s dance.”
“With pleasure,” I say, grabbing her hand and pulling her through the crowd onto the busy dance floor. “Are you okay, princess?” I can feel her body trembling beneath my fingers.
“What did I ever see in that slime bag?”
“Honestly, I have no idea.” This makes her laugh.
“Guess we both got surprised tonight by our exes,” she says as I swing her around the dance floor. “I want to forget about them, they are not worth our time.”
“Consider it done,” I tell her as we disappear into the crowd.
Hours later, I am getting us some champagne when I feel my skin crawl as I wait at the bar.
“Enjoy her while you can. She’ll be mine again soon,” Josh gloats in my ear. Quick as a flash, I grab him by his suit jacket and push him up against the wall, guests gasp at the commotion.
“Stay away from her,” I sneer at him.
“Or what, hockey boy?” He grins.
“He’s not fucking worth it,” Sam says, pulling me off him.
“Tell Harper the clock is ticking.” He laughs.
“That man is crazy,” I say to Sam.
“He’s definitely letting his crazy flag fly. Can’t believe he got his parents to donate all that money so he couldn’t get kicked out of the party,” Sam says, shaking his head.
“Truly not fair.”
“Look, my parents are disgusted by it, but the money is going to charity,” Sam explains.
“And in the meantime, your sister is fucked over.”
“She’s not completely fucked over, she’s got you,” Sam says, slapping me on the shoulder. “Go back to the table, forget about that ass, and give my sister a good time.”
“I can do it better at home.”
“Ew. Man, what the fuck,” Sam curses at my innuendo.
“You kind of set it up for me.”
He shakes his head. “I kind of did. Never ever imply you and my sister, you know …” He tries not to gag as he walks away.
“Everything, okay?” Harper asks as I arrive back at the table without our drinks. “You forgot my champagne.”
“Sorry about that … um …”