Page 42 of The Spare
Jay was a gorgeous investment banker who had graduated the same year Xander did. We all knew each other from college. He and I only saw each other at parties, first in college and then at events where our circles ran together. He was one of those impossibly charming people, similar to Xander. He slept with almost all the women in the class. Despite his record, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone to say a negative thing about him.
Being one of the few girls who didn’t fall for his charms was a feat.
Xander saw another dress I had tossed to the side and picked it up. I’d decided not to pack it, but Xander threw it in the suitcase. “Seriously, Sloan, I say this as your friend. Are you planning on being a nun for the next six months?”
I finally decided to evaluate everything Xander added to the suitcase. Most of the additions were short dresses. He was trying to pack me a social wardrobe when I was going there to work. “Why are you so interested in me getting laid?”
“You only have work clothes in here.” Xander pointed out. “You don’t plan on going on a single date? All I’m saying is you being hard up and then seeing someone like Jay is a recipe for sex.”
I skated past that visual. “Is there a reason you’re so interested in my dating life lately?”
“I don’t know. You seem different, is all.”
“Different how?”
“I don’t know!” Xander gave an exasperated laugh. “Are you seeing someone?”
“No,” I said emphatically.
He raised an eyebrow. “Why do you havethatface?” His finger drew a circle in the air in front of me.
I crossed my arms. “This is my face.”
“You know what I mean. It’s that ‘I’m sleeping with someone I shouldn’t be’ face.”
I rolled my eyes and walked back into the closet. I was terrible at hiding things from Xander, and he was a like a drug-sniffing dog when it came to rooting out my secrets.
“Oh god, it’s not another fucking Grimaldi, is it?” He stood and followed me into the closet. Xander may have been the one to stop me before I could make a colossal mistake with a member of the royal family of Monaco.
“Who is it? Come on.” He continued to probe. He ducked his head to try to catch my eyes. He knew I couldn’t keep a straight face, and he’d interrogate me until he got close. “Remember when you set me on fire last summer?”
Trading guilt for secrets, he took a page out of my mother’s playbook.
I whipped around. How many times did I need to apologize for that? “You were fine, and I put you right out.”
I had set Xander on fire. Accidentally.
Who knew glitter bombs were combustible?
I didn’t.
He was the one who stood too close to a lantern.
I switched to offense. “What are these plans you have for New Year’s?” I asked.
He paused, caught in a trap of his own making.
“Paris,” Xander grumbled, and released a heavy sigh. Suddenly, he looked serious. Another I-owe-you bit the dust. “Drop it.”
I complied and changed the subject. But I tucked the little evidence I had in my mind for whenever I had more.
Me
Hey. Yeah, I’ll be in London for a while. How’d you know?
Jay
I have my sources. See you soon, love.
