Need Me (Mess with Me 3)

Casey follows as I weave my way through tables toward the other side of the room. There’s a short hallway that leads to the sumptuously outfitted ladies room.

Casey plops down on the velvet chaise against the wall. Her dark hair is smoothed back into an elegant low bun. I make a big show of fixing my hair in the mirror.

“I’m just a girl from Gracewell, Virginia but I’m wearing a thousand dollar cocktail dress and about to dance all night at my engagement party.”

“You look beautiful. And your future husband is hot.”

“Is this really my life? Just pinch me now so I can be sure I’m not dreaming. Am I seriously marrying Andre Lavin?”

I pinch her arm lightly making her laugh. But I’m dying inside. Because her dream is my nightmare.

The one man I went out of my way to avoid is going to come crashing back into my life tonight.

When Casey first told me she was secretly seeing one of Mya’s biggest clients, I hadn’t thought it would matter. She was mainly worried about getting fired.

I hadn’t had the heart to tell her a man like Andre Lavin would likely lose interest before anyone at work had time to find out about the affair.

But once again, the universe had the last laugh. Andre adores Casey and would walk through fire to keep her in his life. Which means that from the moment he proposed, I’ve had a big ole’ countdown clock running in the back of my mind.

T minus whatever until Vin figures out exactly who I am.

Mya bursts into the room followed by Anya Petrova, another one of their coworkers. Both squeal appreciatively at the sight of Casey in her fitted black bandage dress. It’s from some exclusive designer friend of Andre’s and looks like it was made just for her.

Which it probably was.

Mya looks in the mirror behind us. “Andre just arrived. Why didn’t you guys come together?” She fixes a few tendrils of hair that have come loose from her long black braid. Her eyes are bright and her cinnamon skin tone is radiant.

She has the same glow that Casey has.

Good sex with a man who adores you is clearly great for the complexion. And yes, I’m a little jealous.

“He had to do something for his mom. Also, his brother wanted to talk to him about some investment thing. I told him I’d meet him here.”

Anya hops up on the counter and crosses her legs. We don’t know each other that well but she’s always been a funny addition to our Girl’s Night. Her dark hair is cut into a razor-sharp bob that emphasizes her blue eyes.

“I’m still trying to decide if I’m mad at you for not introducing me to that brother,” she says.

Casey turns with a frown. “Philippe?”

“If he’s the tall dark and yummy guy who looks just like Andre, then yes.”

“He doesn’t look just like Andre.”

They all turn to stare at me. “I mean… no one looks exactly like someone else. Unless they’re twins. Even then.”

Mya regards me for a long moment. “Riiiiight. Anyway, I’m not sure how you missed him, Anya. He’s been to at least a few of the marketing meetings. Maybe Casey can hook you up.”

Anya grimaces. “I’m just kidding around, guys. I have a boyfriend. Kind of. It’s complicated.”

“Well, if the guy you’re with won’t commit, there’s nothing wrong with looking,” Casey says. “Maybe you two will hit it off and we’ll end up being sisters-in-law.”

“I don’t know about that but I won’t say no to an introduction. Share the eye candy, girl.” Anya winks.

“Come on, let’s go find him.” Casey says.

“Right now?” I ask, frantically trying to think of a reason we need to stay in the bathroom.

Preferably all night.