“This party is the last thing I feel like doing tonight,” I huff, blowing my hair out of my tired eyes.

“Don’t be such a downer. It will be fun,” Carly scolds.

“If it wasn’t for my dad, I’d skip out. That’s how much I’m not feeling it.”

“What’s wrong with you? You’ve been a grouch since you’ve been home.”

“I’m just in a funk of sorts. I don’t even know what’s wrong.”

“Well, what changed to throw you off?”

I shrug and press my lips together, noncommittally.

Carly carefully studies my face. “What are you not telling me?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“I can read you like a book. I know something’s going on, but what?” She taps her lips with her index finger and narrows her eyes. “You never get freaked out about anything unless it’s relationship stuff.”

I shake my head and try to look unaffected by her spot-on assessment of me.

“Did you sleep with Jesse?”

I mumble, “no,” and snap my head in the other direction from her. She can always tell when I’m lying just by looking at me.

“Lilah,” she calls my name.

“No,” I answer, hoping it will suffice.

“I didn’t ask you anything yet. Why are you saying no?” She’s like a damn dog with a chew toy it won’t let go of.

“I was reiterating that I didn’t sleep with Jesse.” There was very little sleeping that went on.

She silently walks around to the side of the bed where I’m sitting on the edge of the mattress, pausing once she’s in front of me. “I know you’re lying to me, Lilah. I just don’t know why you feel the need to.”

Shit. Shit. Shit. Why does she have to know me so well?

She crosses her arms over her chest and taps her foot impatiently as she waits for me to explain.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to lie to you, but I…”

“Oh my God, you slept with Jesse?” She shrieks and jumps up and down.

“Yeah I did. Why are you screaming?”

“Because you had sex with the Jesse Gunn. I knew you were lying but not about what.”

“Great,” I mumble.

“How was his gun? Was it all that we imagined?”

“He’s just Jesse, and the sex was amazing. I’m not talking about his dick with you.”

“That means it’s as good as we imagined.”

“How do you figure that logic?”

“You just said the sex was amazing. Obviously, he has a big gun and knows how to use it.” She narrows her eyes and shrewdly studies me. “Are you sure you don’t want to share any deets with me?”

Grabbing a pillow off my bed, I whack her in the stomach. “No, I don’t want to share details with you.”

“Why aren’t you in a better mood if you got some? And why don’t you want to go tonight? You might get lucky again.”

“I’m not in a bad mood. I’m just worried about being around Jesse and all the people we know without tipping them off that there’s something going on between us. No one can know.”

“Would it really be the end of the world if people found out?”

“When I started working at WCW I was only twenty-two. My father sat me down in his office and the first rule of business he mentioned was that I could never mix business with pleasure. I can’t tell you how many times he’s reminded me of that over the last three years. It’s like gospel to him.”

“Lilah, he’s not going to fire you if you openly date Jesse.”

“I’m not so sure about that, but I also don’t want Jesse to lose his job. There’s also a fear of losing my father’s respect. That’s just as important to me as his love.”

“Well, we need to get ready for the party and the rest will take care of itself. What are you wearing?”

* * *

“Why did I let you talk me into wearing this horrible dress?” I question Carly while I tug up the top of the strapless design with one hand and bring my glass of champagne to my lips with the other.

“Relax and let them hang out. It’s not going to kill you to show a little cleavage.” She rolls her eyes and sips from the small straw in her rum and coke.

“I can’t believe you said that. You’re usually more conservative than me. Did you hit your head or something?”

She giggles and pushes her glasses up her nose. “Nope, I’ve got a new lease on life.”

“What’s that? Rum and coke?” I titter.

“Ha-ha, come on ask me. You know you want to.”

“Okay, I can’t believe I’m biting. Why the new outlook?”

“Because I’m not getting any younger and what good has being ultra-conservative done to help me? I’m not even getting hot sex these days. I don’t think I’ve ever really had hot sex.”

“I can help you with that, babe,” Alex Kid Colt says, leaning over toward Carly.

“Who are you?” she inquires, looking him over with curious eyes as if she doesn’t already know who he is. Even though she’s been stalking him on social media.

“I’m Alex and you are?” He winks.

“I’m Carly, Lilah’s best friend.”

“Well, Lilah’s best friend, how do you feel about dancing?” He beams an ultra-white smile her way.

“I’m a fan. Especially of the horizontal mambo.”

“Carly,” I exclaim, whacking her arm. “What are you doing?”

She leans over, whispering, “new lease on life, remember?”

“I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“Come on, babe. I want to see your moves.” Alex takes Carly’s hand and leads her out to the dance floor. My mouth hangs open as I watch her strut along beside him leaving me alone. I can’t believe that’s my best friend. What’s gotten into her?

“Have I told you how beautiful you are?” A deep voice unexpectedly questions. My head whips around to find Jesse seated next to me. My eyes drink him in from the top of his styled dark brown hair to his mischievous slate eyes, continuing down over his broad shoulders that fill out his tuxedo jacket so well.

“Is that the best you can do, Gunn?”

“Lilah, have I told you that every time I see strawberries I’m reminded of your sweet pussy?”

My eyes bulge at his reply.

“Huh? How’s that? Better, right?” He winks.

“Shh, keep it down.”

“You don’t want anyone to know I’ve had my face buried between your luscious thighs?”

“Jesse, please,” I caution.

“Okay, baby. I’ll go easy on you if you promise to come home with me tonight.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Carly’s with me.”

“In case you haven’t noticed, she’s gonna be busy tonight.” He tips his head toward the dance floor and my eyes land on Carly and Alex. The only thing preventing them from fucking are their clothes. They’re plastered together from head to toe and every inch in between.

“I’ll think about it.”

“I’ve missed you all day,” he whispers in my ear.

My fingers toy with the stem of my wine glass. I’m afraid to look at Jesse right now. Anyone watching would see how much I care for him. “I missed you too.”

“Neither of us has work tomorrow; we’ll make love all night long and sleep in. I’ll make you some breakfast or we can take a walk and grab something.” His knee nudges my leg. “I want to spend as much time with you as possible, Lilah. Say yes.”

“Yes, but you have to come to my house because I’m not wearing this dress tomorrow.”

“I can do that. I have a change of clothes in my Jeep. I came prepared.” He winks.

“Okay, you also have to leave me alone for the rest of the party.”

“Lilah, what does it matter how we spend the time?”

“I don’t want to call attention to us. If we’re never together then no one will suspect.”

“Honestly, no one cares. Everyone is too busy drinking and having fun to concern themselves with what we’re doing. This is the perfect opportunity for us to let loose and enjoy ourselves.”

“Jesse, don’t push. I’m not comfortable with people around us knowing. I’ve told you this from the start and you said you were okay with it.”

“I am, but I don’t have to agree. I think you’re being silly.”

“Silly or not that’s the way it has to be.” I drink down the rest of the wine and place the empty glass on the glossy wooden bar. My arm presses against his and my fingers ghost over the back of his hand before I walk away. I don’t look back, as tempting as it is to have one more glance of him.

Skirting around the end of the bar, I wind through party goers and exchange greetings with friends and family I haven’t seen in a while. There are so many people in attendance it takes me almost thirty minutes to make it over to the table where my mom and dad are seated.

“Happy birthday, Dad.” I lean down and kiss him on his cheek and then move over to hug my mom.

“Lilah dear, have a seat.” He pats the available chair next to him and I sink down on the vinyl cushion.

“Are you having fun?” my mom asks.

“I am, but I think the real question is if the birthday boy is having fun?”

“Yes, I am. Thank you for helping your mom surprise me. It worked. I didn’t even suspect when your mother told me we were coming here for another party.”

“I didn’t think we’d be able to pull it off. You have a way of finding things out.”

“I do,” he states with a nod in my direction.

Is he trying to tell me he knows about Jesse and me?

Or am I turning into a paranoid mess?

“Are you ready for the trip out to the west coast?” dad questions.

“No, not yet. I’m enjoying being home for more than one day. Maybe at some point we can discuss me not having to be on the road all the time?”

“I don’t know if that’s feasible, especially with the new storyline involving Jesse. You really need to be wherever he is and make the most of this surge in his popularity.”

“Okay,” I acquiesce. I know when to cut my losses with my father. Now isn’t the moment to argue or try to change his mind. I’ll bide my time and approach him again sometime in the future when the odds favor him being more receptive.

Rising from my chair, I smooth my hands over the shiny material of my dress. “I’m gonna go mingle some more. You kids behave.” I point at them both.

“But where’s the fun in that?” my mother questions with a giggle.

“Shut her off dad,” I joke before walking away.

I barely make it a handful of steps before someone touches my arm. “There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you,” Ronnie announces as she effortlessly steers me back toward the bar. “Why aren’t you with my brother?”

“Because we’re not together.”

“Pfft. Tell me another lie. I can tell just by looking at him that you are.”

“Maybe he just got laid.”

“I’ve seen what he looks like after he’s been laid plenty of times,” she states, her eyes sweeping over to me. I grimace at the thought of him having sex with some nameless, faceless stranger... some groupie he doesn’t even know. “He looks happy now. That’s how I can tell you’re together.”

My eyes scan around the room until they find him. He’s near the bar and surrounded by three female wrestlers who are staring at him like he’s dessert. A wave of anger pulses through me. I don’t want other women drooling over him. He’s mine... but he’s not. I sigh and shake my head. “Does he look like we’re together?” I question, sarcasm flowing enough to pool at my feet.

“The fact that seeing him politely speaking with female coworkers sets you off so much is a dead giveaway.”

“Sets me off?”

“You’re pissed.”

“I’m not.” I cross my arms over my chest.

She tips her head my way and raises her brow. “Jealousy is a normal reaction when you care.”

“What are you a psych major now?”

“No, but I do have a bachelor’s degree in psychology,” she replies, knowingly. “Didn’t know that about me, huh?”

“Fine. We’re together. Does that make you happy?”

“I’m ecstatic.”

“You can’t tell anyone.” I look at her pointedly. “Not even Wyatt.”

“Why would I tell him?”

“I know you guys are good friends.” A shadow of disappointment passes over Ronnie’s face.

“We are, but I won’t tell him.”

“You want to be more than friends?”

“What?”

“I don’t need to have a psych degree to see you want more with Wyatt.”

She shrugs. “We became friends years ago and from that point the die was cast. So, regardless of what I might want or wonder about, it’s never going to happen. I value his friendship too much to risk finding out if we could possibly be more.”

“I hear ya,” I reply.

“Besides, Jesse would kick his ass,” she snickers.

I smile. I’ve seen the way Wyatt looks at her when she’s not paying attention. It’ll be interesting to see how this situation develops. If there’s one thing I’m starting to learn it’s that you can only deny your feelings for someone for so long before they have a way of making themself known.