Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
The front door is wide open, letting in the early summer air. Candles and soft lights dot the inside of the house, with waiters passing out drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Long gone are the frat boy and secret society antics. Every space in the house gleams, chairs line the walls for seating and a large dance floor takes up the living room with a five piece instrumental group playing at the top of the stairs.
Bel is the hostess for the evening, and she did an amazing job. I scan the other partygoers, keeping an eye out for my sister or one of our friends.
Ely leans in and points toward what is usually a small dining area, now cleared for people to grab food and drinks. "Over there."
We head for Bel and Drew. Both dressed to the nine looking, amazing in black, with Drew wearing a black on black suit and Bel in a long black sheath dress that hugs her body, her long blonde hair hangs in ringlets around her hips. This is the first time in a month I've seen her without her signature messy bun. I’m not sure I like it.
We approach and I press peck to Bel’s cheek. "Whoa, no hoodie tonight."
She swats at my arm playfully. "Haha. I have to be comfortable to plan a party, okay?"
"So you're in planning mode all year round?" I quip.
This earns me a narrow-eyed look, but she's smiling as she hands Ely a champagne flute. "This is ginger ale. I stashed some away so you don't feel so weird carrying around something different than everyone else."
Ely takes it with a grateful smile. "Thank you."
Turning to face the room I scan the crowd again. "Where are Lee and Aries?"
As I finish speaking Aries comes sauntering into the room, approaching our group. He's wearing a tuxedo shirt tucked into slacks, an open bowtie, and a jacket. His hair curls against the collar of his shirt as he studies us. "Well, don't you all look like a happy little bunch.”
He gives Ely a long look that makes my blood boil, then his attention jumps over to Bel, his gaze lingering a little too long. Enough that Drew appears to notice and takes a threatening step towards him, his head cocked to the side. "Problem man? I know you've been busy with your father a lot lately and we haven't seen you, but I doubt I need to remind you who she’s with.."
Bel gently squeezes his forearm. "It's fine. I doubt Aries was looking at me like that.”
Aries merely shrugs. "Of course I wasn’t.”
Drew stares him down for another long fraught moment before deciding better of it. Slowly he recedes back to Bel's side. "Let's go dance."
They head away and I step into the space to get out of the crowd's movement. "What the hell was that about?"
Aries shrugs, his expression noncommittal. “It’s nothing. Drew’s just being overly sensitive like always. He’s like a dog with a bone when it comes to her.”
I wouldn't call Drew overly sensitive, but maybe something is going on and they just don't want to share right now. We all have our problems.
"Where's Lee?"
"I don't know I'm not his fucking keeper," Aries snaps and downs a glass of champagne before walking back out into the crowd, moving toward the kitchen and away from us.
"That was weird. What's his problem?" Ely asks.
All I can do is shake my head. “I have no clue. Something has been off with him lately, but I can’t pinpoint it.”
He's been acting weird as hell lately but I figure it has something to do with his family, and the pressure from the upcoming election. It's always family pressure with Aries, his father grooming him to step into politics as soon as he graduates. It doesn’t matter what Aries wants for himself...which is definitely not politics.
“I kinda feel bad for him. He doesn’t show interest in anyone, never really does anything except sports, and now he’s graduating and seems even more miserable.”
I understand her concerns, because Aries is my friend, but you can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped.
“Stop worrying about everyone else and enjoy yourself. Let’s go dance.” She smiles up at me, and lets me lead her out onto the dance floor. I gently spin Ely, then pluck the glass from her hand and deposit it on a passing tray.
When I curl my arms around her she sighs, folding against me, resting her head on my chest. Her belly is a little hard to maneuver around but I love every second of seeing our child growing inside of her. Each day is a new discovery and I seek out moments to feel the baby kick, or to rub Ely's feet so she can rest. She's been pushing herself hard at the animal shelter. It's almost time for me to start insisting she stays home and hires someone to take over until after the baby arrives. That’s a conversation I’ve been avoiding though knowing she’s going to argue with me about it.