Page 24 of Soul Mates: Hercules Valentine and I
Eden grimaces as if what I just said irritates her to her core. “She does that with everybody, Paisley.”
Now that I think about it, she does do that with everyone except me. I think it’s my cousin’s way of convincing others that she’s so cool, so free and hip.
“I didn’t mind, though. Treasure’s hot,” Eden said.
I picture my cousin in skimpy bikinis and tight jeans with a fresh new boob job and fake hair spiraling down her back. “Right,” I whisper, staring at my lap. I never had the drive to do all she does to herself to be considered hot. It seems like a lot of unnecessary work.
“But I never would’ve gotten that luxury suite of dorm rooms if it weren’t for Treasure. And I like living with you. It’s like living with a responsible adult who can be kind of cool.”
The car stops in front of a bar and grill. Past the windows, I can see lots of high tables and young professionals dressed in business attire who are seated at them. This is definitely not a college hangout, and I’m thankful for that. The place looks packed too. I'm starving and wonder how long we’ll have to wait.
I turn to Eden with my first smile since all hell broke loose. “I’m only kind of cool?”
She measures a small amount of air between two fingers. “Well, a lot more than that.” We share a chuckle. “Come on, let’s go stuff our faces.”
A valet opens Eden’s door, a short, pudgy guy with a welcoming face. She greats him by name. Maybe she frequents the restaurant. After all, she gets around a lot more than I do. Confidently, Eden leads me inside and through a small waiting area that’s wall-to-wall packed. I didn’t expect to not have to wait, but we go from walking past people in the crowded alcove to weaving between tables in the dining room. The atmosphere is lively with people. I catch the eyes that are staring curiously into mine. Some of the guys smile slightly, while others look away shyly. The room seems to be a meat market. I never fare well in that kind of environment. Eden slides into a booth, and I climb in, too, happy to no longer be the center of attention.
“Did you make reservations?” I ask, unzipping my jacket. It’s super warm in here.
“I don’t have to. I work here. This table’s always open for employees.”
My eyebrows flit upward. “You have a job?”
She chuckles. “You don’t know anything about me, do you?”
I press my lips together. No, I don’t know anything about her, and I’m embarrassed about it. I guess I pay more attention to schoolwork and my computer than to the actual people who are in my life. Maybe that’s why Boyles felt the need to screw my roommate. Maybe he was trying to get my attention.
“And you don’t know anything about Dandi, either,” she adds.
I furrow my eyebrows, wanting her to enlighten me. “I guess not.”
“Remember the night you met Boyles? At that party?”
I’ll never forget it. The rush of dancing with a stranger—that night was ethereal. He was rubbing his hard-on against me. I’d never felt a man’s erection before then. It was… thrilling. But I don’t show Eden any hint of the emotion I felt that night. I keep my expression sober as I nod.
“They knew each other before then, Paisley. They’ve had sex before, numerous times. I think there was something between them—they were on a break or in a fight or something. Then she started screwing around with that guy Drew. Remember him?”
“There are too many to remember just one,” I say snidely.
She shakes her finger. “That's true. She's got some serious issues with being validated by penis.”
I ponder Eden’s read on Dandi’s revolving door of boys. Then my brain finally catches up to the other claims Eden made. “You mean to tell me that Dandi and Boyles always knew each other?”
“Yes. That’s what I’m telling you. They knew each other on the night you met him, and they were involved.”
I’m trying figure out if my heart wants to sink to the floor or not. I’m more flabbergasted than hurt.
A waitress stops at our table. She and Eden talk about how busy it is this afternoon. “Who’s on the grill?” Eden asks.
“Proctor.”
“Then we’ll have two orders of surf and turf and two espresso martinis. Give us lots of bread too. She’s starving.”
I open my mouth to object to the cocktail but then decide that an espresso martini doesn’t sound like a bad idea.
Eden winks at me. “I knew you wouldn’t object. Believe me, you’ll love it.” She readjusts herself in her seat and makes sure she has my full attention. “Listen, it’s up to you.”
“What’s up to me?” I ask, frowning.
