Shared

“Sure you don’t want it?” she winked playfully.

I grabbed at her, and she laughingly retreated into the next room. There were less people in the back area, but more paintings. We passed a few other people I recognized as students. When suddenly—

“Hunter, hi!”

I whirled, and my stomach dropped into my feet. Deanna was standing there in a sparkling blue dress, her long black hair fanned out over both shoulders. Her eyes were bright and hopeful. Just like always.

Shit.

“I thought that was you,” she laughed. “From the back it was difficult to tell. I’m not used to seeing you so dressed up and—” She stopped mid-sentence as her gaze shifted to Claudia. “Oh. It’s you.”

“Yeah,” Claudia said sharply. “It’s me.”

My girlfriend looped her arm possessively through mine. Deanna looked crestfallen.

“So uh…”

“Yeah,” I said awkwardly. “Sorry.”

Deanna’s shoulders slumped, but then she abruptly stood up straight. Something in her expression told me it was alright.

“Well good luck,” she said, almost cheerfully. “Oh, and your pieces are down there,” she pointed. “Next room, on the left.”

“Thanks,” I told her.

Claudia sized her up as we walked by. “Thanks Deanna,” she added as well. “And goodnight.”

I breathed as sigh of relief as we reached the next room. There was hardly anyone in here as well.

“Awkward?” I asked hesitantly.

“No,” said Claudia. “I mean, of course we’d run into one of your ex girlfriends,” she laughed. “Or ex… whatever she is.”

I didn’t know what to say, really. So I didn’t say anything.

“Look, I knew you were sort of a ladies man when we decided to try this,” Claudia said. She turned toward me, pulling at the collar of my pristine white button-down shirt. “I mean, look at you. My man is hot. Women are always gonna want him,” she smirked and shrugged. “What’s a girl supposed to do?”

I slid my arms around her and pulled her to me. “You don’t have to do anything,” I said. “Because I don’t want those other girls. Not anymore.”

“Oh?” Claudia teased. She risked a quick glance over her shoulder. “Deanna’s extremely pretty. And that other girl with the heart-shaped—”

I kissed her, shutting her up. Claudia’s mouth moved against mine, tasting like champagne and strawberries and all good things. If anyone else was watching, I didn’t care. All I wanted to do was feel her lips against mine.

“I don’t want any of those other girls,” I reiterated, when the kiss was finally broken. “If I did, I would still have them.”

She looked at me, and her eyes held nothing but adoration. She wanted to believe me. I wanted to make her.

“Claudia,” I said, tilting her chin upward. “The only girl I want is you.”

Her eyes half-closed. She went to kiss me again, but instead I reached out and placed my hands on either side of her face.

“Here,” I said, turning her head gently to one side. “Open your eyes.”

She did.

And then she saw.

Twenty-Eight