You Will Be Mine (Forever and Ever #7)(42)

“Maybe it’s Beatrice…”

I rolled my eyes and drank my beer.

The crowd parted and two girls made their way to a table. One was wearing a silver dress that was tight on her chest, stomach, and thighs. Her body was pure curves. Her brown hair was styled and big. Her legs stretched for days. I took in every inch of her, feeling my cock harden just from a look. When my eyes met her face, I almost dropped my beer.

It was Alex.

Conrad glanced at the two girls. “They’re the ones making the commotion? I’ve seen hotter.”

“You mean Beatrice is hotter?”

“Don’t call her that,” he barked.

I ignored his words and stared at Alex, who sat across from her friend. A black bracelet was on her wrist and she crossed her legs underneath the table. Her thighs were toned and defined and her calves were muscular. Her shoulders were thin and rounded, and her chest protruded out in an appealing way. “That’s the girl from my work—in the silver dress.”

“Are you going to talk to her?” Conrad asked.

“No.” She seemed to be having fun with her friend. I didn’t want to ruin her night with my presence.

Judging by the way they giggled and laughed, they were already a little buzzed. Perhaps they were barhopping.

Conrad followed my gaze. “By the way, she’s hot. I don’t understand why you hate her so much.”

“I don’t hate her,” I said simply. I wondered about her family and what happened to them. Did they pass away? Did she have a falling out with them? There were so many things about her I was dying to know.

Conrad discussed the game that was on last night and I participated in the conversation even though my gaze kept moving back to Alex. Her skin was tan like she was outside often, and her blue eyes sparkled like diamonds. She held herself with grace and her posture was perfect. When she smiled, she lit up the room.

“Are you even listening to me?” Conrad demanded.

“Huh?” I shifted my gaze back to him.

He rolled his eyes. “Just talk to her.”

“And say what? Then she’ll think I’m only talking to her because she looks pretty tonight.”

Conrad drank the rest of his beer. “You won’t know until you try, right?”

I had a strong suspicion of how it would go.

Drinks were sent to the table, and the girls had enough alcohol to supply a frat party. Guys around them kept sneaking glances, and one by one, they came to their table and engaged them in conversation. Each one struck out.

I wondered if Alex had a boyfriend. It was something I never considered before. What if she did have a boyfriend waiting at home for her? Did she have a man she kissed? That she touched?

Why did I care?

“If you’re going to stare at her all night, you may as well just talk to her,” Conrad said.

“It’s not so simple.”

“Do you want me to talk to her?”

“And say what?”

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Smooth things over.”

“You definitely aren’t a smooth talker.”

“It’s still better than not talking at all and staring at her from afar like a creeper.”

Alex left the table then wobbled to the bathroom. Judging by the way she moved, she was already hammered. Now I was worried about her. Her friend was just as drunk. Who was taking them home? Every guy eyed them like two notches to put under their belts.

“There’s your chance,” Conrad noted.

Without thinking, I took the shot. I moved through the crowd until I caught her in front of the bathroom. “Hey.”

She stopped and turned to me. It took her a moment to focus her sight on me. And then it took her a while to recognize me. “Theo?”

“Yeah. How are you?” I put my hands in my pockets and stared into her eyes.

She shifted her weight and almost slipped. “Is Theo short for Theodore?”

“No, it’s just Theo.”

“Because Theodore is the name of a president…” She wobbled.

Wow, she was totally drunk. “Yes, it is.” I tried not to laugh.

“So, why are you hanging out in the girl’s bathroom?”

I eyed the door. “Actually, we aren’t inside yet.”

“Oh.” She thought for a moment. “Do you want to go in? I won’t tell anybody.”

I smirked. “Thanks for the offer but I’m good out here.”

She seemed to remember she hated me. “Why are you talking to me? To yell at me? To make me feel like shit?”

“No…” My eyes fell in sadness at her words.

“Just leave me alone. I’m sick of crying over you.”

Crying? What? “Sorry?”

“I keep trying to be your friend and you’re so mean to me. Maybe I was rude to you but you were rude first. And you say such harsh things…I’m a good person. You have no idea what I’ve been through. You would feel lower than dirt if you knew what happened to me...”

I wanted to kill myself. Since she was drunk, she was open with me. Her walls were gone and she was vulnerable. I understood how much I hurt her, how I pushed her too far. I haven’t felt this bad in a really long time. “I’m sorry.”