Page 76 of The Ring
“If he’s one tomystandards, then I’ll be the first one to suggest it.”
Chapter 44
Cornelia
I’m not sure if I’ll regret this—probably, I will—but it’s too late to change my mind. Benedict and I are already at West’s club, about to head inside to meet up with The Heptad Society.
We’re not an unfriendly group, but we’re a complex one. We’ve known each other for half our lives, and everyone, including me, thought I’d end up with TJ. I don’t know how they’ll react to me being with someone else. This is uncharted territory for all of us.
The best way to explain how I’m feeling is that it’s the same nervousness someone would have when introducing someone to their parents—parents with whom you have a good relationship and who have great expectations for you. I’d much prefer to be introducing Benedict to my actual parents. I wouldn’t care whether they liked him or not. They don’t have a leg to stand on, unlike my friends. Also, Benedict meeting TJ? That’s another thing entirely to be nervous about.
We enter and make our way towards the usual booth, where I immediately spot Lucian, West, and Nate. I hadn’teven considered how Nate might react to seeing me with Benedict. But before I can dwell on that, I spot TJ—his arm casually draped around Weberly. A nagging pang of jealousy hits me, and I have to remind myself I’m no longer with him. To make matters worse, Laurie and Annabelle, the best ones at diffusing tension, aren’t here. And since they aren’t here, no one warned me about Weberly being here.
Before we reach the table, I turn to Benedict. “Remember when you said sorry before I met your ex?”
He nods, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes.
“Well, I’m sorry—times four,” I mutter as we walk to my friend.
We get to them, and they all get up to greet us. I introduce Benedict to West, then to Nate, who seems to take it fine—or at least acts that way. We make our way to Lucian, and as I hug him, he murmurs in my ear, “He’s very handsome.”
“Thanks,” I respond.
We move on to TJ, and I’m more nervous about this part.
“Benedict, TJ. TJ, Benedict,” I introduce them.
Benedict extends his hand to TJ.
TJ looks Benedict up and down. “TJ,” he says, shaking his hand. “The love of her life,” he adds, his eyes shifting to me with a pointed look.
A brief silence falls over the group.
I want to stomp on his foot with my heel, but since it isn’t proper, I settle for glaring at him.
He quickly pulls his hand back, raising both hands in a mock surrender. “Kidding. I’m the ex.”
Benedict, sensing the tension, places one hand over my hip, pulling me closer, as if marking his territory in some subtle way.
If TJ wants to play this game, so be it.
I turn to Weberly and look her up and down. She’s wearing a black leather dress, and like every outfit I’ve seen her in, it’sso tight and short it leaves very little to the imagination. “And you are?” I ask, my tone icy.
Her face pinches. “We've met before,” she says, her annoyance evident.
From the corner of my eye, I catch West stifling a laugh, clearly amused by all this.
“I don’t remember,” I reply smoothly. “I guess you didn’t make an impression.”
“I’m Weberly Johnson.”
“Well, nice… to meet you,” I say, and then turn around and pull Benedict to the other side of the booth to sit down.
Once I’m seated, I lean in towards West and ask, “Where are Annabelle and Laurie?”
She’s the reason I’m here. I texted her two hours ago. She said she was getting ready to come, and she doesn’t take longer than two hours to get ready.
West looks at his watch. “I don’t know. They should be here by now.”
