Page 46 of The Sweetheart
“The shop?” Kai asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes, sir.”
Kai looked up to see Katie enter on Chris’ arm with Lucas and Marcus right behind. Katie scoured the room, and, when her gaze landed on them, a radiant smile lit up her face. She wore a mermaid dress in a soft lilac that hugged her all the way to her knees, the bodice dipping low and hugging her perfect tits before going over her shoulders in barely there straps. She bounced on her toes and waved at him, completely unaware of the filthy smirks from a few of the pervs around her. Kai couldn’t help the grin that broke his face.Thank. God.He’d thought he was going to lose his mind if he had to sit here for very much longer. Maybe Nolan and Chris would do their socializing thing and leave them to their own entertainment.
His face fell when he caught sight of Dion right behind them. Goddamn. Nolan hadn’t mentioned Dion would be here tonight. He wore a light grey mermaid gown of his own, heavily beaded, that crossed his chest and over one shoulder. His hairwas slicked back in a style that was severe but suited his uptight ass. Kai groaned internally but tried to hide his annoyance as they got to their feet to greet the newcomers.
“Hi,” Katie said brightly, still beaming at him like a maniac.
“Hey Katie.” He grinned, pulling her into a hug that she returned with interest. Chris clapped him on the back in greeting.
“Damn, Kai! You’re looking sharp, my guy,” Marcus crowed, pulling him into a bro hug.
“Seriously, GQ, calm down,” Lucas teased. Kai blushed, embarrassed but pleased.
“You’re looking very handsome Kai,” Dion said formally, leaning in to air-kiss his cheek. Kai did his best not to roll his eyes.
“Thanks, Dion, you look great.” It was a weak compliment but, hey, he was trying and it didn’t seem to make a difference, because Dion had already been distracted by a middle-aged woman with a flawless grey bob who’d come by to greet him. Kai watched them air-kiss on both cheeks, several others converging on him warmly. It was clear that this was Dion’s turf, and Kai was very much the outsider. Before he could get maudlin about it, they turned to Katie.
“Katie, lovely to see you,” they said, but it was pretty clear from their cold once-overs that it was definitely not lovely to see her. Katie’s smile dimmed, her shoulders dropping just a fraction.
“Nice to see you too, Marilise,” she said, her voice different than usual, sad but oddly wistful. A surge of protectiveness had him stepping closer to her.
“And who is this? Another boyfriend of yours? How many is that now, dear?” Marilise turned to Kai, pinning him with an assessing stare. Half an hour ago, it would have had more of aneffect. Now he kind of wanted to fuck with her for being an asshole to Katie.
“This is Kai,myboyfriend,” Nolan said, coming up behind them and wrapping an arm around Kai’s waist. His voice was cool with a warning in it. “How are you, Marilise?”
The old bat’s face warmed by several degrees.
“Wonderful, Nolan, dear. How are you? Howisyour mother? I haven’t seen her in so long. Not since the winter ball last year.” She pouted playfully.
“Yeah, and if she has her way, you won’t see her until she has to do it again this year,” he said drolly.
“Nolan!” Dion gasped, pressing a hand to his breast.
“Well, you send her mykindregards,” Marilise answered, her voice brittle. The women behind her looked affronted, but it seemed to have the desired effect when they swept away, taking Dion with them.
“Bitch,” Nolan muttered under his breath. Kai laughed and Katie smiled again, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You’re looking beautiful, Katie.” Nolan pressed a kiss to Katie’s cheek. “Don’t let those hags get you down.”
“Thanks, Nolan.”
“It’s so weird hearing you call him that.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t need to give those guys any more reason to hate me. I should have probably warned you. If you hang around me, they’ll hate you on principle.” Her expression fell again as they took their seats, and she turned to look at him worriedly. “You know, if you don’t want them to know?—”
“Don’t even finish that sentence. We’re friends. They can go fuck themselves.”
Katie’s shoulders relaxed again.
“What’s their problem anyway?”
“They’re just judgey meanies. I’m too young and I have too many boyfriends to warrant politeness.”
“Sounds like jealousy. Tell me that’s not living the dream.”
“Oh yeah? You need a couple more boyfriends?” Nolan interjected from where he’d taken his seat again on Kai’s left. Kai grinned at him.
“Nah, I’m good.”
