Page 148 of Even Ground
We move slowly to the music, and I close my eyes and lean into him. His familiar scent grounds me. “Yes.”
“I know you were nervous.”
“I’ve had fun. It’s just been a nice dinner with you and our friends. And now I get to dance with you.”
He presses his lips to my hair. “I’ll always take care of you, Pania. We’ll have more nights like this whenever you want.”
“I like that idea.”
We finish our dance in silence, and are on our way back to the table when a familiar looking redhead walks our way.
“Reece.” The affectionate way she says his name makes me grit my teeth.
“Jessie,” Reece replies. I blink and shift my gaze to my boyfriend.
“It’s so good to see you. I didn’t know you’d be here tonight.” She doesn’t even look at me, which just pisses me off even more.
“Oh, last minute thing with Josh and Delaney. I think you two have met before. Jessie, this is Pania, my girlfriend.”
“Girlfriend? You?” She snorts and waves her hand. “Sorry. It’s just crazy coming from you.”
“I can see you still haven’t learned any manners.” The words are out before I can stop them, and Jessie stops laughing, her lips tightening into a straight line. “Delaney’s here if you ever want to apologise to her.”
Jessie’s face drains of colour. “It was nice seeing you. I should move on.”
She scuttles away, leaving Reece staring at me in disbelief.
“I don’t know why you’re friends with that woman. She’s awful.”
He screws up his nose. “She has hidden qualities.”
“Does she hide them in her vagina, or …” I hold up my palms in a questioning gesture.
“Pania.” Reece buries his face in his hands.
“It’s just a question.”
He chuckles. “I shouldn’t laugh, but you are incorrigible.”
I lean my head against his shoulder. “I know. That’s why you love me.”
“I do.”
35
Pania
By mid-morning the following day, I’ve still barely moved.
We didn’t drink a lot last night, but we ate and danced and even though we got home at a respectable hour, sleep was slow to come.
I got as far as the couch this morning and there I’ve stayed.
“Do you want to go for a drive?” Reece asks. “I’ve got something to show you.”
I look up from the magazine I’m reading and tilt my head. “Are you sure you want to show me and not your other girlfriend?”
He sits on the couch beside me. “You’re my only girlfriend. I saw this house that I want to look at. Thought you might want to come with me?” He nudges my arm.