Read Online Destined To Fall by Tamsyn Bester - Free Book Online Page B

you. You look very handsome.” I reply. Any woman in my position
would be salivating at the sight of him, maybe even falling over her own feet.
But he’s a dick, and while looking at his face, his suit, and even his shoes,
only one word comes to mind. Safe. He passes me a flute filled with champagne and when our fingers brush.
I wait for the spark, the electricity. Nothing. He solicits a whole lot of nothing from my body He’s everything I should be attracted to. But I’m just not.
I smile weakly, swallowing the fizzy gold liquid, along with any reservations I
may have had, in three gulps. Quinn’s eyes almost bug out but I ignore it. The
only way I’m going to survive this evening is if I start topping up on liquid
courage now.
“You girls ready?” Jarred asks. His eyebrows furrow slightly, noticing my odd
behavior. Quinn nods, grabbing his hand and walking out the front door. I
turn to follow and stiffen, if only infinitesimally, when Drew’s hand touches
my lower back. I remind myself that it’s only one night, and having Drew’s
hands on me won’t be that bad. I can tolerate it. I hope. I lock our apartment
door behind me and we walk downstairs, piling into the town car that will
drive us to the hotel.
After a short, yet awkwardly silent drive, I’m grateful when we come to a
stop outside the Four Seasons. The door is opened and Drew climbs out first,
reaching his hand down to help me. Camera’s flash and I’m caught a little
off guard. Drew straightens next to me and wraps his arm around my waist,
smiling widely at the paparazzi. I almost forgot that we were at an event that
garners the attention of most of the city’s social Elite.
Of course there would be paparazzi. “Sorry about that,” Drew whispers, leading me up the stairs. “I didn’t know Press are allowed here tonight. It’s a private party.”
“It’s okay,” I reply. “I should’ve expected it.”
Quinn and Jarred follow behind us, stopping to greet some people they
know. An older gentleman stops in front of us and shakes Drew’s hand. He
doesn’t acknowledge me and Drew doesn’t think to make an introduction. I
step out of his embrace and walk into the banquet room, in search of more
liquid courage. I don’t need to stick around just so that I can be ignored.
Thanks but no thanks. A waiter decides to walk past at that exact moment
and I grab a glass of whatever is on his tray. I down the amber liquid quickly.
“Hey, why’d you dash of like that?” Drew asks, reaching my side. I resist rolling my eyes. I may not be from a hoity toity family, but I still have manners.
“I was thirsty,” I reply dryly.
He starts to speak but is soon cut off when Quinn and Jarred finally join
us. “I didn’t think Mom and Dad were going to have so many people here,”
Jarred remarks, obviously addressing Drew, who’s frowning at me. He looks
back at Jarred and replies, “You know what they’re like. I bet you Mom
bribed Dad to let her have this party.”
“Mom probably threatened to hide Dad’s Viagra for a month,” Jarred chuckles. Drew scrunches his nose in disgust. “Seriously dude, we do not need to
be talking about Mom and Dad’s sex life right now. It’s gross.”
“Agreed,” Quinn intercedes. “And speaking of parents, Cassey and I better go
say hello to mine before they come find us.” She kisses Jarred on the cheek
and starts walking in the direction of her parents. She waits for me to catch
up and then threads her arm through mine.
    Something about it is comforting and I feel a small bit of my insecurity
diminish. “Are you okay, Cass?” she asks. I look into her eyes and see the concern swirling around her irises.
“I’m fine,” I lie.
We reach her parents before she can question me further and I’m somewhat
thankful. I don’t want Quinn to know just how out of place I feel. She will
feel guilty when it has nothing to do with her. She is the only person who
doesn’t make me feel