Page 103 of Always Love You More

“Her lipstick is all over your mouth,” I mutter, quiet enough that just Billy can hear me.

He smirks at me as he rubs it away, but the lightness doesn’t reach his eyes. Instead, they look dead. Hollow.

I lean into him. “You all right?”

“Great. Why?”

I flick my eyes from him to the girl then back to him again.

“It’s a party,” he whispers, his voice defensive. “Just leave it.”

The girl steps around Billy, and now that I get a better look at her, she seems familiar.

“Happy birthday,” she tells me.

I tip my beer in her direction. “Thanks.”

Her nose crinkles. “You don’t remember me, do you?”

Sam presses into me, and the girl tracks the movement.

“Should I?”

“I’m Sasha,” she says, like that should mean something to me. When I just stare back at her blankly, she adds, “Ivan’s kid.”

“Who?”

She fidgets, annoyed. “The Russian.”

The pieces fall into place. I haven’t seen her in years.

“You grew up.”

She sweeps her gaze over me. “Yeah, you did, too.”

Sam takes a step forward, subtly blocking my body with hers.

“Is this your …?”

“Girlfriend,” Sam answers.

Sasha tilts her head to the side. “Oh.”

“What?” Sam snaps.

“Nothing.” Sasha looks between us, letting her eyes rest on me. “You just never seemed like the girlfriend type.”

“How would you know?” Sam asks. “He didn’t even remember you.”

“Exactly,” Sasha says under her breath before forcing her face to brighten. “Well, it’s nice to meet you.”

Sam watches her for a second, like she’s assessing if Sasha’s a threat.

I snake my arm around her waist, running my finger under the hem of her shirt. I feel her uncoil before she finally says, “Yeah, you, too.”

Billy drains the last of his beer then leans into Sasha, asking if she wants to go get a refill. She nods, looking thankful to get away from this conversation.

Once they’re gone, Sam turns to me, and I bite back a smile.