Page 6 of Hold Me
“Nah. I don’t even like him.” She picks up her black purse, digging around for something. “Besides, I have a date later tonight.” After checking her phone, she slides it back into the purse, which she sets back on the table. “But you didn’t tell me the most important thing about your guy. Does he have a pretty cock?”
I choke on my soda and start coughing, tears pooling in the corners of my eyes. “Katherine!” I hiss when I’m able to talk again, hoping no one heard her.
“What?” She innocently bats her eyelashes. “It’s a simple question. You know what I mean.”
“Yeah, unfortunately I do.” I give her a chilling look. When we were teenagers, Katherine sent me a porn video in an email, but she didn’t warn me what kind of a video she was sending me, so yeah, I opened the video at the worst possible moment, at a family gathering. My cheeks still burn when I remember the flabbergasted look on everyone’s faces as they stared at the computer screen. I quickly explained it was some kind of a pop-up ad that I didn’t know how to block, but I’m not sure anyone believed me.
“Don’t tell me you’re still mad about that video.” Katherine’s eyes widen in disbelief. “The guy was so hot and you know how hard it is to find porn with a hot guy in it. His cock was huge and just pretty.”
“You know most guys would be insulted if you called their cock pretty, right?”
“I know. I actually got rid of one guy by saying his cock was so pretty I wanted to dress it up.”
“Whatever.” I shake my head. “I’m not telling you anything.”
“So itispretty.” Her smile fades as she looks toward the door. I follow her look and freeze. My heart jumps into my throat, my breath hitching in my chest. No, it can’t be, but apparently it can. It’s just my luck, I guess.
Mark strolls in, looking devastatingly handsome in his black shirt and dark blue jeans. His short dark hair is carefully combed, his green eyes glinting with amusement. A tall blonde trails after him, giggling at something he told her. My stomach does a sickening flip and I want to disappear. Maybe he won’t see... Too late.
Mark’s lip curls in disgust as his eyes meet mine. I’m compelled to look away, but I don’t. I won’t let him win our staring contest. Katherine calls my name, but I’m too busy glaring daggers at Mark to concentrate on anything else.
My heart beats so loudly in my chest that I think I’m going to be dizzy. The blonde has gone silent, frowning at Mark and me. He turns his head and whispers something into her ear. She nods and goes toward the bar, turning her back to us. With quick, confident steps, Mark crosses the distance between us.
“Haven’t seen you in a while.” He flashes a big smile at Katherine, who gives him her deadliest glare. Even while Mark and I were dating, Katherine couldn’t stand him.
“What do you want?” I have no intention of having a pleasant conversation with my ex, especially not tonight.
Mark defensively raises his hands up. “You don’t need to be rude. I just wanted to make sure you’re all right and not drowning in a pool of tears. I’m glad you’re doing better.” He’s gloating because I’m sitting here with Katherine and not with a boyfriend. I can tell by the glee in his eyes. That son of a bitch. He knows I love this cafe bar, and he came here to show off his new girlfriend. How is it possible that I can hate someone I loved more than anything so much? How could I have been so blind not to see the real Mark?
“She’s doing much better without you,” Katherine says. “Who’s your newest victim?”
Mark’s face darkens. “Charming as ever, aren’t you, Kat?” he snarls. “Amelia and I are in love, but I guess a slut like you could never understand that.”
I get to my feet a little bit too fast and Mark actually steps back. “You know nothing about love, you heartless son of a bitch. And if you talk to my friend like that ever again, you’re going to regret it.”
“Whoa, calm down, babe.” Surprise fills his eyes. I’m not the girl he used to know. I’m not going to beg him to give Katherine a chance.
“Don’t waste your breath on that worthless asshole,” Katherine says matter-of-factly. “He can’t even insult me properly.”
I meet Mark’s eyes, my blood racing. “You should go.”
“As you wish. I didn’t want to upset you.” The smug smile returns to his face. “See you at your father’s party.”
I gape at him, but he only turns on his heel and walks away. Did my father really invite him to his business party or is Mark only trying to unnerve me? Shit. Rubbing my hand over my face, I sit back in my chair.
I worry at my lip as I eye Mark, who has gone to the bar and has his arm wrapped around his new girlfriend. When he pushes another shot glass in front of her, I look away, but then I’m reminded of my last date with Mark.
Mark slides the glass toward me. “One more, babe.”
I shake my head. My thoughts are fuzzy, my vision slightly blurry, and the room is tilting around me. “No.”
A frown line creases his brow. “Oh, come on. You’ve only had... what? Two or three? One more can’t hurt.”
“I’m not... I’m not feeling well.” I place my hand on the bar to support myself. It’s been more than three, I’m sure of it. “Take me home.”
“Home?” Incredulity is written all over his face. “First you don’t want another drink and now you want to go home. Really? We’ve come here to have fun. Why are you ruining this night for me? You know how stressful this week has been for me.”
I push down the wave of nausea. “Please. I can’t...”