Page 72 of The Most Perfect Wrong

“What? You’re crazy, man. That girl is hot,” Adam cuts in, eyebrows raised. “If she were looking at me like that, I’d be all over it.”

“Yeah, well, that’s just not what I’m here for.” I shrug, not really in the mood to get into it.

Leo gives me a steady look. “You know, you don’t have to hold back on our account. Our house is your house.”

Vivian rolls her eyes with a playful smile. “Don’t encourage him, babe. Not everyone wants to sleep with anything that moves.”

“Ohhhh!” Adam and Michael hoot, grinning. “Nice one, Viv,” Michael says, laughing.

She laughs, giving a playful shrug. “Gotta joke about it when I can.”

“Oh, come on, guys. I wasn’tthatbad,” Leo says, trying to defend himself.

Vivian gives him a pointed look. “Babe, it’s a good thing you’re cute. Denial doesn’t look good on you.”

Meredith raises her glass, grinning. “She’s right. The only thing worse than a man-whore is a man-whore in denial. Thank God, those days are over.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Leo says, lifting his glass. We all join, bringing our glasses to the center.

“To great friends,” he toasts, looking to Vivian with an intense focus. “And to the love of my life. I don’t know where I’d be without you.”

As we clink glasses, Michael calls out, “Probably on top of one of these girls, brother.”

We all burst out laughing, and Stella playfully smacks Michael’s arm. “Way to ruin the moment.”

Leo kisses Vivian, and she pulls back with a smirk, looking around the room. “Alright, which one would’ve caught your eye tonight?” She locks eyes with him, teasing. “Blonde? Brunette? Maybe a redhead?”

Leo chuckles, shaking his head.

“He likes them all, Viv, but he’s always leaned toward brunettes,” Meredith says, grinning.

Vivian scans the room. “So… that one over there? Would she do it for you? She’s a hottie.”

Leo’s gaze meets hers. “I only have eyes for you, babe.”

I watch as they eye-fuck each other in utter amusement. Most women would feel threatened by a partner’s past conquests, but she’s so confident in herself and their relationship that she just gives him shit—and Leo takes it like a champ. Honestly, it could get old quickly, especially since Adam and Michael love bringing it up, but Leo just laughs it off.

Damn, I admire them. I thought Beth and I had something like this once, and maybe we did. But somewhere along the way, we lost it. I hope Leo and Vivian never do. I hope they realize how special what they have is, and always put in the time and effort it takes to keep their relationship alive.

My thoughts drift to Cooper. That woman’s a straight-up pain in my ass. I haven’t heard from her since I stormed out of the elevator, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store after the holiday break. Will we be friends? Enemies? Is she going to flirt with me or act like I don’t exist? I never know what I’m goingto get with her, and maybe that’s what makes her so damn interesting—why I can’t seem to shake her.

My thoughts are interrupted by the beautiful brunette. She’s flirting with someone—or maybe someone’s flirting with her. But it’s not the flirting that catches my attention; it’s the guy. It’s fucking Brad. Even from here, he exudes that trademark douchebag arrogance. His hand slides to her waist, but she steps back, clearly not wanting him to touch her. He eventually gives up, and I watch him walk over to another table, where he wraps his arm around a different girl’s shoulder. She leans into him, and he kisses her. They start making out right there in the booth, shameless, for several minutes.

My jaw tightens, fists clenching. What an asshole. I pull out my phone and snap a picture of him, locking lips with this girl. I don’t even know why. It’s not like I’d ever show Cooper. I can’t tell her—not directly. The person being cheated on never forgives the messenger, and the last person I want hating me is Cooper.

But the sight of Brad here, doing this… My blood is boiling. I’d love nothing more than to beat the shit out of him right now. He might look like he’s in decent shape, but not like I am. And Leo? He’s in even better shape than me and practically a martial arts expert. With Leo backing me, I’d be able to give Brad exactly what he deserves.

Leo notices the shift in my demeanor. “Hey, mate,” he says quietly, catching on. “Something wrong?”

“You remember Cooper’s boyfriend, Brad?” I ask, my jaw tight.

“The arrogant lawyer?” he says, eyebrows raising.

I nod, jerking my head toward Brad’s table. “He’s here. Making out with some chick.”

“No fucking way. Where?” Leo leans in, his eyes scanning the room.

I subtly point him out. “Over there.”

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