“He wasn’t boring,” Kelsey says. “Just different.”
“Different? How so?”
Warming up a bit more, she answers, “Well, he likes birds, and I found that fascinating. Not the bird facts, that actually was a bit rough at times, but that he was so in tune with nature that he could recognize specific bird chirps of each species.”
“Is that how he lured you into his bed? Chirping and flapping his arms?”
Kelsey’s eyes dart to mine in a deathly stare. “For your information, we never went to bed together. Just a kiss. And he’s not a geek who speaks bird to unhook a bra. He just likes to tell stories.”
“Gathered that from the mundane conversation he shared over the table.”
“As if Genesis was any better,” Kelsey snaps. “What did you even see in her?”
“Stature,” I answer honestly.
“Eww, that’s repulsive.”
“At least I was with someone for a purpose. You were with Edwin because you were desperate.”
She gasps and now fully turns toward me. “I was not desperate. I’m trying to find my soulmate, you know, someone to fall in love with, not that you could ever relate to that kind of emotion with that cold, lifeless heart of yours.”
I press my hand to my chest and say, “Lifeless, not so much. There’s quite a steady pulse beating through my soulless veins. Cold, though, now that’s an accurate description.” When she turns away, I push her a little more and ask, “What did he think of your dress?”
She glances at me over her bare shoulder. “What do you mean?”
“When Edwin saw you tonight, did he wax poetic about how you reminded him of his favorite chickadee perched amongst a field of flowers?”
“He did not.” She lifts her chin.
“Okay, so then what did he say?”
“Why does it matter?”
“Because you say you’re looking for love. A simple reaction to your appearance tonight would warrant you an answer on where he stands with you. What did he say? A simple you’re beautiful? Maybe a shy . . . wow?”
Her clenched jaw works back and forth as she stares at the dance floor. “He said I was wearing a nice colored dress.”
“And?” I ask.
“That was it.” She picks up her glass of water and takes a sip.
“Wait, that’s all he said? That you had on a nice colored dress?”
She carefully sets down her glass and I can see her bitter movements, the way she clenches her fists, and the longing in her eyes as she stares at each couple on the dance floor.
I don’t know how long she took to get ready tonight.
I can’t imagine what she went through picking out the perfect dress.
Nor could I imagine the excitement she felt about her date seeing her—because she’s a vision.
But I’ve watched Kelsey for several months now, and I know when she’s annoyed, and probably when she’s hurt. So I’m sure about one thing—the time she spent getting ready for tonight was enough time to warrant a better reaction than nice colored dress. And it makes me feel even shittier for telling her I’d seen better. Shit.
Chapter Seven
KELSEY
I wish he’d leave me alone.
I wish I hadn’t been left here at the table, with JP as the only person to talk to.
Hell, I wish Edwin had an ounce of self-awareness and didn’t leave me hanging, especially since I was the one who brought him here.
But that’s not my luck, is it? And, of course, during the presentation, I got a text from Lottie, who has been MIA this entire party. She and Huxley were headed back to the house. This was followed by an eggplant emoji and three squirting drops. She also trusted Edwin would drive me back to her place to pick up my car.
If only she knew.
“I asked you a question,” JP says next to me.
Lost in thought, I say, “Uh . . . what was the question?”
“Edwin, all he said was that you had a nice colored dress?”
Oh, yes, we’re still on that.
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
He pauses and I can feel his eyes on me. In fact, they haven’t left me since he switched seats with Edwin. His green irises, focused completely in my direction, like a nagging mother, tapping me on the shoulder every few seconds with questions I don’t want to answer. Shouldn’t he be looking toward the dance floor to reclaim his date? His beautiful, sweet date . . . who definitely seems more into Edwin than JP. So, so weird.
“Fine, then . . .” He holds out his hand. “Come dance with me.”