Need Me (Mess with Me 3)

When I asked Andre to host a dinner so I could introduce my secret girlfriend, he’d found the whole situation amusing. Especially when I’d told him who needed to be on the guest list.

It was a big deal getting Ari to go public now. She hasn’t gotten the results of her second scans back yet and I know it’s constantly on her mind. It’s on mine, too.

But no matter what the results say, we’re a couple and that’s not changing. So it’s time to finally let our loved ones know we’re together. We’re too old for this sneaking around shit. I want everyone to know she’s mine.

“It’s too late to cancel now. I already told Andre we were on the way.”

“You said you were bringing a guest?”

“I said I was bringing the love of my life.”

“Oh. Well, that’s okay then.” She leans over and kisses my cheek just as the elevator doors open.

Andre is waiting in the hallway. He’s wearing brushed wool trousers and a plain white dress shirt. This is his version of casual.

Ariana tugs at her dress again. She confided in me last week that she finds it intimidating to dress up in front of my brother. It’s one thing to wear jeans, everyone looks pretty much the same in casual clothes, but dressing up is different.

I get it. Fashion can be intimidating. That was my experience when I first started working with Andre years ago.

I grab her hand and she gives me a grateful smile.

Andre looks at me. Then he looks at Ariana.

“I thought you said you were bring–” He pauses. It’s like watching a light bulb go off. He starts laughing, his hand going to his stomach like it hurts. “This is going to be fun.”

Ariana fidgets, hopping from foot to foot. We follow Andre inside. The white sectional has been moved back to make room for a large dining table. It must be new. Soft music plays overhead and I can hear the sound of voices coming from the next room. Everyone must be here. Good.

“Are they here?” Casey comes trotting out of the kitchen.

A few seconds later, Mya Taylor-Hamilton follows. “Is who here?”

“Philippe is bringing his girlfriend,” Casey replies.

She stops when she notices me standing in the entryway. Then her eyes swing to Ariana.

“Oh, Ari! You’re here, too? I didn’t know you’d be coming. I don’t think I put out enough place settings.”

Andre is in the corner cracking up.

Casey looks at him, appalled. “Babe, what are you doing? You’re supposed to be greeting the guests. What is Philippe’s girlfriend going to think when she gets here?”

That only makes him laugh harder.

Ariana scowls.

I sigh.

Mya looks confused.

“I’m the girlfriend!” Ariana finally blurts out. “Geez Louise.”

Casey looks between us. “Wait, all this time it was you? Andre said Philippe has been seeing someone for a long time.”

“Still me,” Ari deadpans.

Mya bursts into laughter. “Well, I don’t think anyone saw that coming. But now I understand why we got an invitation.” She looks up at her husband Milo affectionately.

Casey puts her arm around Ariana’s shoulders. “Well, I think this is great. You deserve the best and Philippe is the best.”