Page 15 of Brick Wall

Annie

F uck. I can’t read men at all.

Apparently, men can read me because Finn comes up beside me with a shot and a glass of white wine.

“You’ll have to take the shot quickly. I had to bribe the bartender for this since shots are apparently frowned upon at fancy events,” he says with a grin.

No problem on that front.

I take the shot of vodka and chase it with a bigger sip of the wine than I probably should. Some may define it as a gulp, but I define it as a necessity.

“Thanks,” I say, placing the empty shot glass down on the high-top next to me.

“No problem. Want to tell me why it looks like you lost your favorite recruit to a rival college?”

“Not especially.”

I don’t have a favorite brother, but if I did…Finn would be in that top spot. We are Irish twins, born exactly eleven mo nths apart, and we have always been close. If I were to open up to any of my brothers about Sebastian, it would be to Finn.

But there’s nothing to talk about, is there? Nothing even happened to warrant my sadness. Am I disappointed?

A little.

Do I like Sebastian?

Sure. He’s funny, smart, talented, super hot, and he can rock a pink margarita so well. Everything on my checklist is marked off, and then some.

His checklist, though? I have no idea.

I thought maybe he could be interested in me, but after meeting Athena, I’m not so sure.

Athena and I are total opposites. I am nothing like his…ex-girlfriend? Current girlfriend? Soon-to-be girlfriend? Who knows?

She’s gorgeous with perfect…well, everything. Whereas I almost tripped and fell on my butt wearing stilettos that Goldie insisted I wear. I can barely walk in a straight line and she’s gliding beautifully. If that’s the type of woman Sebastian is interested in, then so be it.

I’m not going to chase after someone that will never be mine.

I tell my college girls to know their worth and not to waste time and energy on guys who don’t know how amazing they are. I need to take my own advice here.

Athena is the reminder I need, really.

It’s just that tonight, for one second, I thought I saw a look of interest on his face.

I really can’t read him.

I thought there might be something there after he showed up for my surprise birthday party. Then again, most of my friends did, so maybe he was just being friendly .

He also left without saying goodbye.

I’m really overthinking this.

I think my matchmaking brothers are getting in my head, telling me that I can have a shot with a man who is never within my reach, a man who will never be mine.

Finn and I stand next to each other in a comfortable silence, just watching the room. I don’t feel like sharing my insecurities with him tonight. I need to get my shit together.

He’s about to open his mouth to say something, but a woman approaches us, well him, and steals him away.

I down the last of my wine and take this as an excellent opportunity to regroup and head to the women’s restroom.

It’s thankfully quiet in here, but when I open the stall door to wash my hands, Athena is there in front of the mirror, reapplying her lipstick.

Of course she is.

I give her a small smile, more friendly than I feel, and I move forward to wash my hands in peace.

Athena has a different idea because my peace lasts only a quick second. Athena is chatty.

“How fun you know Sebastian too!” Athena gushes. “He’s really the best! And I mean the best.” She gives me a little wink that says, you know what I mean. And unfortunately for me, I do, and now I’m picturing these two gorgeous people getting it on.

“We have known each other forever!” she shares.

“That’s nice.” I have no idea what to say, but I feel like I should say something.

“It is! I can’t wait until we are in the same city again! Hopefully soon!” She crosses two fingers together. “How long have you known Sebastian? He hasn’t mentioned you. ”

“Oh, he probably wouldn’t,” I admit. “We know each other through my brothers.”

“That makes sense. You are totally not his type.” She puckers her lips to ensure her lipstick is perfect, which it is, and then looks directly at me. “He’d never be interested in someone like you.” With that, she saunters off, leaving me feeling smaller than I did five minutes ago.