Chapter 155

Ronan, that little shit, wanted me to cover his bar tab. He’d maxed out his card and needed a sugar daddy for his expensive drinks. The bloody fucker. I should have known better than to fall for his puppy-dog eyes.

“Thanks for inviting me,” Edward mumbled, looking around the club nervously.

“Of course,” I said, flashing him a smile. “We’re friends, after all.” I emphasized “friends” as loudly as I could over the club music while swirling my drink. It was red—a wine mixed with something I didn't care to identify—bitter with a surprisingly sweet aftertaste.

“So…” I drawled, “how was Rome?”

“Amazing!” A grin spread across Edward’s face. “We were mostly in Madrid. I worked three days, but got two days to sightsee.”

“Really?” I pressed, trying to be subtle. “Our boss doesn’t seem like the sightseeing type.”

“God, no,” he said, shaking his head. “He spent the last two days with this woman. A total hottie; couldn't keep her hands off him.”

“Huh.” My chest tightened.

“Are you okay? You look pale.”

“Fine,” I said, offering a tight-lipped smile. “I need a stronger drink.”

Without waiting for a reply, I left the table and traded my wine concoction for vodka—a classic bad idea. Vodka and I aren't friends, but I needed to numb my mind to hear the rest of Edward’s story.

“So? What were you saying?” I asked, sliding back into our seats.

“Nothing…” He eyed my two glasses of vodka hesitantly, still clutching his half-empty drink.

“No, you were saying something,” I insisted. “Something about getting the last day off because Mr. Romano was with a woman.”

“Two days,” Edward corrected. My teeth clenched. “I saw so much. I went to the Prado Museum and shopped on Gran Vía because my sister had a list of things she needed—”

“Wow, awesome,” I said, feeling terrible. “What about this woman? How hot was she?”

“Pretty hot?” Edward chuckled nervously. “I only saw her for a few minutes. Gorgeous blonde hair, fake tan, green eyes… but she seemed insufferable.”

“Huh.” I licked my lips and downed my vodka.

“Aurora, are you sure you’re okay?” Edward asked, his nervousness evident.

“Yeah, yeah, totally,” I said, swatting his arm dismissively. My voice came out squeaky, like Ross Geller's infamous "We were on a break" moment. To cover, I added, “My twin got married today without telling anyone. I’m upset, hence the alcohol. I don’t usually drink.”

“You have a twin?” Edward asked. “I thought it was just you and Ronan.”

“He’s the less attractive one; that’s why we keep him out of the spotlight,” I said with a sarcastic smile. “Enough about me. You were talking about Madrid.”

“Yeah. I went to the Royal Palace, obviously,” he said, sounding exasperated. “But my trip ended early when I had to pick the boss and that woman up from a restaurant.”

“Is that so?” My eyes narrowed. “Why couldn’t he drive himself?”

“God knows. He doesn't explain; he just orders people around,” Edward said.

“So, where did you drop them off?” I asked, batting my eyelashes.

“Uh, a hotel?”

“Which hotel? Hers, or the one you and Luca were staying at?”

“Aurora…” Edward chuckled nervously. “I just remembered my sister needs to pick something up from my apartment. I—I should go.”

“But—” I pouted.

“See you Monday, okay!” He gave me a nervous grin. “Thanks for the invite. Great party. Have fun!”

I watched with irritation as he disappeared into the crowd. I groaned, sinking back into my chair and sipping my second vodka.

“Did you scare him off?” Ronan’s laughter boomed as he sat beside me.

“Whatever,” I grumbled, downing my second vodka. “I’m getting a third.”

The bartender at The Blaze made my third drink, which I finished quickly before heading to the dance floor. The music and lights played tricks on my mind as I swayed, losing my sobriety with each step. I tried not to think about Luca and that woman in Madrid, but the more I tried to forget him, the more he consumed my thoughts. I’d never drunk-called anyone before, but the urge to call Luca and chew him out for distracting me with his stupid offer while sleeping around was overwhelming.

A man approached me.

“All you men are fucking traitors!” I screamed in his face.

“Someone betrayed you, gorgeous?” He flirted, running a hand through his blonde hair. His name was Chad, or maybe Lucas.

“Yes! My brother!”

His face crumpled. “Okay… I don’t know what kind of kinky role play you’re into, but…”

“Ew!” I slapped his chest. “Disgusting! My brother got married without telling me, and I’m hurt! What’s so weird about that?!”

“Ah,” he said, nodding. “Understandable.”

He blinked in pity, and then kissed me. Oh, God. Men. His lips were desperate and lustful, unlike Luca’s rough and assertive ones.

I pried him off, kicked him in the groin, and stumbled onto the balcony. Without hesitation, I called Luca.

“Fiorellina?” He sounded surprised.

“Damn you, and that nickname!” I yelled, though my voice was low.

“Aurora,” Luca said, his tone cold and strict. “Are you drunk? Who are you with?”

“I kissed a man,” I said. “Well, he kissed me, then I kicked him, but… it happened.”

“Aurora,” Luca warned. “Where the fuck are you?”

“At The Blaze,” I grumbled. “The point is, you and that hot Roman woman had sex! I can have sex too!”

“Don’t you dare move,” Luca said, his voice furious. An engine revved in the background. “I swear to God, Aurora, if you let another man touch you in this state, his blood will be on your hands. Capito?”

“Sì,” I grumbled. “But I still hate you!”

“Don’t fucking move,” he warned, and the call ended.