Wild Nights With My Brother’s Ex-Best Friend novel Chapter 9

NICOLE

When I see Esmeralda’s name flashing on my screen, my heart drops to the very pits of hell.

I already know I messed up.

“Yeah?” I answer breathlessly as I start toward my closet. I throw it open, the door nearly ripping off the hinges, and I start pulling all my clothes out and dropping them onto the ground as I search for the only dress I own that would be appropriate for the occasion. Dammit, where is it?

“I’m outside, girl,” she says. “You can come on out and we can get this party started!”

“I’ll be right out!” I answer, trying to sound excited as I frantic search for that damn dress. When I feel the sequins of the dress, I sigh in relief.

“Um…are you okay?”

I hold the phone to my ear using my shoulder. I unzip the dress and step into it after stripping. “Yeah, just fine. I just need to find my clutch.”

“You want me to come in and help you look for it?”

“No, you stay right where you are. I’ll be out in a jiffy! I’m sure it’s somewhere around here.”

I take her silence and move to the mirror in my bathroom. Ideally, my hair should’ve been curled, but I won’t have time for that, so I throw my hair into a messy bun that I hold with pins, thanking God that it works out. Messy buns can be so hard to get right, which honestly makes no sense at all.

Then, I quickly swipe some mascara on my brows and use some eyeliner. I’ll do my lips in the car.

Two minutes later, I’m completely ready to go. I grab a pair of strappy heels, my clutch, and head out.

Haley arches her brow at me. “Where are you going?”

“Esmeralda’s birthday,” I answer. “Didn’t I tell you?”

“You didn’t mention it, no.”

“Yeah. I’ll be back in a few hours.”

“Have fun!”

Esmeralda gives me an appraising look as I get in her car. It’s a brand new SUV, no doubt gifted to her by her sugar daddy. That’s what she likes to call him, at least.

“Why do you look like you threw this on five minutes ago?”

“Because I did. Now let’s go.”

Esmeralda cackles as she starts the car. “Why didn’t you tell me you needed more time? Oh my God, I can’t believe you forgot my birthday!”

I can’t either, but then again, yesterday was crazy. I’m still sitting with a whole lot of money in the charity’s bank account, and I can’t stop going into my banking app and checking it out. For some reason, I feel like the money will disappear, but it never does. Every time I check, it’s still there.

Then, there was the endless waiting for Roman’s reply. He never did, and I’m so pissed and humiliated that he didn’t that it just doesn’t make sense at all. I’m the one who pushed him away and told him that things between us would never work. And that’s true. My life is complicated enough without getting into shit with Mason.

But I never thought he’d still send the money. And that it would be so much.

The polite thing for him to do would be to answer at least, right? I feel like I’m going insane because I don’t know what the right thing to do is anymore.

If I didn’t say a word to him about the money, it would be rude.

But I tried to, and he ignored me.

I push this to the back of my head when Esmeralda says to me loudly, “Will you tell me what’s going on or will I have to beg? You literally didn’t listen to a word I said just now.”

“I’m so sorry, Esmeralda,” I claim, kissing her cheek. “I’m just so distracted with the charity.”

He’s been on my mind 24/7, and the worst part is that I don’t think I’ll be able to use the money if he doesn’t say something to me. Why didn’t he at least reply to my message?

Why send the money if he was so mad about what I did?

I take another gulp of the champagne Armand offered me, hoping I’ll wash away the thought of him. This isn’t good for me, and I’m already starting to miss the person I used to be.

“We should dance!” Esmeralda suggests, grabbing my hand and dragging me to the dance floor. It’s full of people, and now that I’ve had a few drinks, my heart’s pumping and I feel really hot.

We dance. I allow myself a few minutes of just enjoying the music and not thinking about anything else. With booze in my system, it’s easier to do. I lose myself in the rhythm. Esmeralda is right beside me, having the time of her life.

For about half an hour, I’m free. I’m back to who I truly am. My mind is clear, I’m having fun, and all my problems have been pushed to the very back of my head.

“We should get cocktails!” Esmeralda suggests before giving my hand a sharp tug. We weave through the crowd and reach the swamped bar. I’m sweating heavily and could use a drink.

I’m looking around as Esmeralda orders us drinks, and my eyes bulge when I spot a face that’s a little too familiar to me.

Roman.

For a moment, or several moments, I’m shocked and have no idea how to react. He’s leaning against the bar casually, speaking to a bartender. He hasn’t seen me, not yet at least. My heart slams in my chest at the sight of him. I’m breathless.

God, he’s so majestic.

“Here,” Esmeralda hands me the drink. I barely register what it is before taking a sip. “Wanna head back so we can dance?”

I can’t take my eyes off Roman, but I know I have to give Esmeralda an answer. Do I go to him? Am I just forgetting that he ignored my text? “Uh…yeah, sure. We should head back.”

I’m just about to turn around when a hand-a woman’s hand-settles on his upper arm. He turns around, allowing me to see the beautiful redhead standing behind him, and then her arms circle around his neck and they share an extremely passionate kiss that makes me feel like vomiting right where I stand.