Page 19 of Mister Rival

“You heard me. Enough with the snide comments that weren’t appreciated in high school, and they’re most certainly not appreciated now.” My voice is cold, and the level of feeling shocks me.

Julie’s fake smile turns a little nervous. “I was only joking.” She tries to wave it off.

“Do you know we all called youJellyfish Juliein high school?” Ali blurts from nowhere, not pausing to let Julie get a word in before she continues. “And you know why that is?”

My lips twitch as Julie mouthsJellyfish Juliein confusion, looking clearly affronted. Her mouth opens, and a little noise escapes, but then she closes it again.

“I think we’ve rendered her speechless,” I sigh, bored and wanting to escape more than ever.

“What are y’all talking about?” A woman labelled Barbara comes bounding up before Ali can elaborate.Why don’t I remember anyone from high school?She’s clearly one of Julie’s posse members, with a very high blonde ponytail swinging from the top of her head that looks too painful to be real, but before anyone can answer, she surges on. “Ooh, Tristan Lucas!” she coos, eyes wide when she sees me, eyeing me up and down and totally ignoring Ali. “Aren’t you like a billionaire?”

I pop a shoulder like it’s no big deal and shift a little uncomfortably.

“Didn’t you make the Forbes list last year?” she plows on when I lift a brow.

I run a hand over my face. “I did, as a matter of fact. So I guess I’m not doing too badly after all.”

“Not too badly!” Barbara guffaws giving Julie a nudge. She’s still trying to comprehend theJellyfishcomment and I too can’t get the name out of my head.

“Forbes?” Julie’s eyes are as round as saucers.

“That’s the one.”

“He also fucks as fast as he makes money,” Ali blurts as I turn to look at her. Oh fuck, this is a side I’ve never seen to her and I think I love it. “We all knew Tristan Lucas was destined for greatness. I mean look at him! He’s a work of art.” She waves her hand up and down in front of me as if to gesture her point to the women.

They’re both standing agape now as they follow her hand.

“Yes, well, we can see that,” Barbara says. “But you two are together?” She points between the two of us with a long purple fingernail, raising her eyebrows, finally giving Ali a glance over.

“Just fucking,” we both say unison.

We both look at each other and laugh. Ali presses those hot lips together and squeezes me around the middle as the two women still come up blank.

“Speaking of which…” I grab Ali’s hand to get her to the safety of the bar.

“Wait, what was that jellyfish business?” Julie cries. “Is that true?”

We ignore her, laughing like school kids as I lead us to the bar. Ali signals the bartender for another glass of champagne and asks me what's my poison. I reluctantly release my grip on her to order a scotch, surprised by how much I don’t want to let her go.

“Okay. That was fucking intense,” I quip as she slides up onto a bar stool while our drinks are being poured. “No wonder I never come to these things.”

“Oh, tell me about it.”

“You really gave it toJellyfish Julie.” I laugh. “That might shut her up until the next reunion.”

“Oh that woman! I didn’t even remember her at first, but as soon as she opened her mouth, it all came flooding back.” She glances up at me, her eyes shifting a little, sobering. “Thank you for coming to my rescue.”

I shrug. “It was nothing.”

“It’s not nothing. I can’t believe Gareth brought that witch, and he’s engaged.” Ali blows out a breath and slumps a little in her seat. As soon as the bartender hands the drinks over, she reaches for it and takes a long sip.

“He’s an asshole. You know it. I know it. I tell you what, though, there’s no way he was expecting you to throw your arms around me like that.” I chug back a sizeable mouthful of scotch and place the glass back on the bar. “And that kiss.” I can’t help but whistle through my teeth.

When I side-eye her with a tilt of my head, she smiles.

“I’m so sorry I did that. I mean, it was good…” she says. “More than good. Maybe it’s just what the doctor ordered to get back at that ass.”

I lift a brow. “Don’t ever be sorry for kissing me.”

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