Page 18

I nodded my head and straightened my spine. I couldn’t’ be weak. Not now. Not tonight.
“You are going to entice every guy tonight. Forget the past and live in the moment.”
I turned to the mirror, inspecting the sexy image staring back. “I’ll never forget the past, Tati. But I do intend to live in the present.”
“Good. Because I have the serious hots for someone.”
“Who?”
“Sebastian Le Blanc. He’s a baller. Hot as fuck and tonight I want to just dance with him.”
“Just dance?”
“Maybe kiss. After that…”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. But we don’t get separated. That’s our deal, right?”
“Yeah. I want to have fun, but I want to be safe. No drinking. We’ll pretend to sip though. Is that cool?”
“Absolutely.”
In under twenty we rolled up to the outskirts of Princeton. I thought nothing could compare to the beauty of my homeland, but I was wrong. Everyone in New York thinks New Jersey was nothing but a dump. They lied. Princeton is all the sappy shit you see on TV. People living in America, living perfect lives in perfectly painted houses on expertly manicured lawns with luxury cars parked out front. The homes are spread apart like mini mansions. Frat row is the same with large yards with acres of woods behind them and huge colonials with shutters on either side of the windows. I gently pressed the brake to slow our roll but I’m not stupid enough to park here. There’s no way he didn’t have the entire block under surveillance.
“D? The party is back there,” Tati pointed behind her.
“I know. But I don’t want to get blocked in. Besides, a short walk in the cold will help kill my buzz if I get one by accident.” My excuse sounded lame as heck, but she went with it.
The campus was sprawling with timeless elegance. The large trees lining the streets were still full of turning leaves. The night air was crisp and filled with excitement. I carefully parked three streets over and got out. I sniffed the air, breathing it in. The front yard was packed. Sparks from a bonfire shot up to the night sky as students gathered in clusters holding red solo cups and danced around the flame.
I lifted my chin. I’ve never been to a frat party. But if being on the doorstep of death didn’t scare me, neither will this. Even if he will be here.
I grabbed my hoodie and put it on.
“At least leave it unzipped.”
“I didn’t come here looking for love.” I shrugged, zipping it up high.
“Then you’ll fit right in.” She smirked, swinging her hips to the beat dropping from massive lawn speakers.
Leaves crunched under our feet as we walked forward with our chins lifted high. My senses were on high alert. The bass of the beat competed with the pounding of my heart. He was here. I knew he was. I flicked my hair over my shoulder and flirted with my eyes. I needed to act like just a girl here to party, not a black angel hell bent on revenge.
A few guys eyed us appreciatively as we walked past them and up the few steps onto the wide planked porch and entered the garden of evil. People were everywhere. Tati went in first, winding her way through to the kitchen.
“Hey gorgeous.” A guy wearing a hat backwards grinned at Tati as she brushed past him and filled a cup from the keg on the floor. She passed the foamy beer to me before pouring herself one. Instead of cheap beer, I eyed an unopened bottle of red and uncorked it. No one has messed with it, so I poured a bit into a cup.
“Nothing to say?” He quirked a brow.
“Not to you.”
“Damn, girl. You’re cold.”
“Freezing,” she replied, grabbing me by the elbow and steering me out the backdoor. Another bonfire blazed in the back lawn, its smoke billowed high until it disappeared somewhere beneath the stars. My eyes scanned the yard searching for a set of broad shoulders, raven hair, and laser like bright eyes.
But wasn’t there. At least not yet.
“Hey girl. Haven’t seen you here before.” Tati rolled her eyes at another guy who tried to make a move on her. I wasn’t surprised no one approached me. My small tits and slim frame only appeal to a certain type of guy whom I’ve yet to meet.
But the guy who came out of the shadows he was attractive if you liked the boxer type. He was beefy, stocky, and walked with a certain type of swagger. His Brooklyn accent and street eyes went right through us. We’re busted. I just knew it.