Page 5 of Anti-Hero

Collins Tate is hell on a man’s confidence. Good thing I’ve got plenty to spare.

“I didn’t know you lived in Chicago!”

I basically forgot about Perry’s presence, but he clearly hasn’t forgotten about Collins’s.

He’s beaming at her as he adds, “I went to Northwestern for law school.Greatcity, Chicago.”

Collins nods. “It is.”

Her agreement is more matter-of-fact than containing any real conviction.

“And yet you’re both in New York right now,” I say. “So, Chicago must not bethatgreat.”

Collins glares.

I grin, holding eye contact as I slowly lift my glass to take anothersip.

“Kit! How are you?”

I turn to see Fran, one of Lili’s childhood friends, approaching. “Hey, Fran,” I greet easily, giving her a quick hug.

Fran’s like family. Lili has had the same core group of friends forever, so I grew up seeing some combination of them at every event my family attended. They’re all part of the opulent, glittering world people are desperate to gain access to.

She squeezes my biceps. “Damn. Someone’s been working out. I bet you look even better in a swimsuit than wearing asuit, suit. Now I’m extra mad I missed the Red, White, and Blue party this year.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, you missed out.”

“Reallymissed out,” Flynn adds. “Kit outdid himself this year.”

Multiple pairs of eyes are on me, but I can still feel the extra weight of hers.

Fran hugs Flynn, too, then glances at Collins. “Hi! You looksofamiliar. Have we met before?”

Collins nods. “A couple of years ago, I think. Lili invited me to her graduation party. We were at Yale together before she transferred to Columbia.”

Fran nods enthusiastically. “That must be it! I’m Fran. Lili and I have been friends since …” She glances at me. “Since before you were born, I think?”

I shrug. “You’re asking me ifIremember my pre-existence?”

“Good point.” Fran giggles before refocusing on Collins. “Anyway, it’s nice to see you again.”

“Nice to see you again,” Collins echoes. She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

She’s uncomfortable in this room. Collins didn’t grow up in thisworld. She’s not angling to join it either, which makes her presence tonight especially strange.

Fran introduces herself to Perry, then spins back toward me. “Tripp and Jasper are over here. Come say hi.” She grabs my hand and tows me toward the center of the room, where more of Lili’s friends are standing, without waiting for a response.

I let Fran pull me away from the table. Flynn can fend for himself. And it can’t hurt to show Collins thatsomeonefinds my company enjoyable. The fact that it happens to be one of myoldersister’s friends is simply a bonus.

Collins Tate’s opinion of me clearly hasn’t changed in the two years since we last saw each other. Chances are high that it never will. I should probably grow the hell up and accept that. The two boyfriends of hers I’ve met were dull bores. Her type seems to be straitlaced guys who are earnest and unmemorable and agreeable.

Me? I’m more of an antihero.

2

Murphy’s Law should be renamed Collins’s Law, I decide. Tonight, everything that could have gone wronghasgone wrong. The evening has been an utter failure from start to finish.

Each step forward exacerbates the painful blister forming on my pinkie toe.

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