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I’m almost at a loss for words, but I quickly snap out of it and find them. “The next time you get that close to me again, I will bringyoutoyourknees. Do you understand? I’m not fucking kidding.”
“Wait, are you trashed?” he asks, searching my face. “You actually brought Drunk Billie to the party. She’s amenace.”
“You know what? Kiss my ass,” I say, grabbing another glass of champagne. I’ve lost count of how many I’ve had now. Whatever number it is, it’s not enough to deal with this man.
“Is that what you fantasize about? Having my lips all over you?” he asks under his breath. “A projection?”
“I’dneverconsent to that,” I say, pushing the visual out of my head. “Neither would Drunk Billie. Now, kindly return to pretending I don’t exist, like before, when you were busy dating my best friends.”
He scoffs. “You were jealous.”
“Jealous? No,” I say. “Why were you jealous when I was with Josh? That a projection?”
His face cracks into a smile. “Your ex is a creep. Are you color blind? Red flags everywhere.”
“I seriously can’t stand you.”
“Great, because once I start working with Josh, you’ll see a lot more of me,” he warns.
I glance around, not meeting his eyes. “Did someone hear something? Hmm. Pesky breeze.”
He smiles. “You should get that tell looked at.”
I take a step forward, nostrils flared. “I really can’t stand you.”
We glare at one another.
“Keep it that way, Ice Queen. Makes my job easier,” he states, cockily drinking his champagne.
To anyone watching us from the outside, his sarcastic laughter, smiles, and winks make it seem like we’re having a flirty conversation. It’s anything but that.
“I’d say it was a pleasure, but …” My gaze slides from his eyes to his mouth. “It was torture, per usual.”
As I walk away, I glance at Banks over my shoulder. His eyes are locked on me, but I can’t read the expression on his face as he lifts his glass toward me. I feel like I just won a mini battle. As I glance over, I notice Josh is watching me too. Our eyes meet briefly before I lift my head high and hold back a smile. I cannot deal with the testosterone and mixed signals.
I huff as I meet up with my brothers.
Easton gives me a side hug. “You and Banks looked friendly. Making up?”
“I threatened to kick him in the balls if he ever entered my personal space again.”
Weston chuckles just as Carlee and Lexi approach, both with mini quiches in their hands.
“Valentino was made for you,” I tell Carlee as she spins for me.
She’s wearing an A-line skirt with a studded, fitted bodice that reflects light. Even though my brothers weren’t nominated for any awards tonight, it was vital for them to be present and offer support.
“How are you surviving after the triplet news?” I ask Lexi with a grin.
Two weeks ago, she and Easton held a surprise baby reveal party—a day none of us will forget anytime soon. We learned they were expecting three babies instead of just one, and the shock on their faces was priceless.
“Well, for some reason, I want chocolate cake foreverymeal.Every single meal.Five layers with fudge icing. I’ve also been having recurring nightmares, where I’m the next Octomom and reality TV cameras follow me around at home. Each time I wake up, I’m relieved it’s a trio instead of eight and that I only get photographed in public.” She chuckles, lowering her voice. “And I want to have tons of sex. Like, even right now. How are things with you?”
I burst into laughter. “Sounds like it’s going well. As long as you’re getting the cake and the sex.”
“Shh,” Easton says, glaring at me.
I wave him away as Weston steals his attention.