Need Me (Mess with Me 3)

But then I think of Ariana out there somewhere living her life. I imagine her marching through the city with Edward strapped to her chest, looking for some trouble to get into.

Maybe she’s not The One. But she’s the only one I want. So nothing else really matters.

Frustrated, I run a hand through my hair. If s

he doesn’t want to see me there’s nothing I can do about that. And I’m too busy to spend time sulking. Before we started this company, Andre and I made a promise to give it our all. The Lavin brand is our number one priority and nothing will ever get in the way of that.

So as angry as I am, I make a conscious decision to let it go.

I turn to the window and gaze out at the fading light. The sun is setting, gilding everything on the horizon with hues of crimson and gold. It reminds me that no matter what happens, the world keeps turning and life goes on. But that doesn’t mean I can’t ask for a little help.

“Papa. Help me. If she is my missing piece, then guide her back to me.”

II

How It’s Going

9

One Year Later…

All good things come to an end. As I take another gulp of champagne, I mentally calculate how long I have until all the shit hits the fan.

Les Printemps is a fancy French restaurant that is perfect for a fancy ass engagement party. Tonight it’s been decorated with cream and silver streamers to match the wedding party colors. The flowers will be either white roses or calla lilies and all the bridesmaids will wear peach dresses.

How do I know all of this?

Because I have somehow found myself smack dab in the middle of the wedding of the century.

When Mya worked things out with Happy Hour Hottie, I was thrilled for her but sad for myself. I envisioned coming home to a cold, dark apartment and eating meals alone each night. But just like always, Mya looked out for me.

When her firm hired a new receptionist, she somehow convinced her that I would be a great roommate. Casey turned out to be not only a sweet person but also a close friend. Mya always jokes that she brought me a “Bonus Bestie”.

She doesn’t realize that she also put me on a collision course straight back to the man I’ve been avoiding for two years now.

“What’s your name, dear?”

I’m sitting at one of the tables at the back of the private room, hoping no one will notice I’m here. The older couple sitting on the opposite side has apparently decided it’s time to make polite small talk.

I am not going to survive an entire night of this.

“I’m Ariana. Hi.”

They introduce themselves but I can’t hear them that well so I just nod politely.

“How do you know the happy couple?” the woman trills.

“Oh you know. The usual.” Then I whisper, “Threesome.”

The wife gasps and then gets up to move to another table. The husband lingers until his wife notices he’s not at her side. “Henry!”

He scrambles out of his seat, leaving me at the table alone.

“Ari! What are you doing all the way back here? You’re supposed to be up front.” Casey grabs my hand and pulls me up.

I follow her to the tables closer to the door. People are just starting to show up, which means I’m running out of time.

“Let’s go to the bathroom. I need to fix my hair.”