Page 145 of Bite Me
“You guys talk some sense into him.”
The comms squeaks, and then all I hear is the roar of my packmates:
“You were so close! You had it!”
“What the fuck is going on?”
“He can still make it.”
“No, he can’t. Security is moving in.”
I pull the earpiece out, catching her hand before she can run off.
With the pink masquerade mask, all I have to focus on are her soft, pillowy lips and the redness of the whites of her eyes. It only makes the gold shine brighter.
This is her. I know it’s her.
“I can’t do that until I know you’re okay,” I say.
“It’s just been a really long day.”
“Wanna sit with me?” I motion to an empty bench.
“You’re probably busy.”
“No, I don’t have a date.” I smirk.
She follows me to the bench that’s nestled between two trash cans, and pulls out a small handkerchief to clean her face. My handkerchief. I’d hope it would give her some luck, but judging by how upset she is, I’m not so sure.
“Where’d you get that?” I ask.
“Oh, some guy gave it to me.”
Some guy, huh?
She’s lonely, here seemingly all by herself. I wonder what’s upsetting her this time. More guy trouble?
“May I?” I motion for the handkerchief.
She nods, and I take it to help her wipe mascara off her cheeks where the mask doesn’t cover.
When a waiter passes, I tug on his coat and snag her some champagne. She takes the stem of the glass between her delicate fingers and sips it immediately.
Those fingers . . . I wonder what they would feel like in my hair. The longer I’m next to her the more overwhelmed I am by the urge to make her feel better. It was like this last time too. But this almost feels stronger.
“Not enjoying the party?”
She shakes her head. “No, not really.”
I can’t stay here. I didn't exactly get an invitation for this event and I already have security giving me suspicious looks as they draw in closer.
“Wanna talk about it?”
She sighs. “It’s just not a great day for me.”
“You look lonely.” I move a piece of hair from her eyes. “Are you lonely?”
“A little.” She looks up at me through her lashes.
