Chapter – 11

Silence.

So comfortable.

A gentle breeze ruffled the material of the tent as I tried to sleep. My heart fluttered and did a somersault thinking about being so close to Orlando again. I fell asleep with him twice before, but this confined space felt too intimate.

My body stiffened when I felt him move. I hadn’t changed my position, pretending to sleep. A few excruciating seconds later, I felt his hand snaking around my waist and pulling me closer.

“Good night, Arianna,” he whispered.

A gasp escaped my lips as my belly dipped. He continued to bury his face in my hair, and his sigh of contentment brushed my skin. I should’ve pretended to be asleep and slept like that, but I couldn’t help the grin that lit my face.

I turned around in his arms and pressed my cheek against his warm chest, realizing he had removed his shirt before lying down. “What a loser,” I mumbled and snuggled closer.

“Huh?” Orlando said hesitantly.

“I said she’s a loser,” I repeated and felt his heart racing. That was a good sign. My grin widened. It showed I affected him too.

“Who’s a loser?”

“The one who let you slip through her fingers,” I clarified and felt him stiffen in my arms. “It’s her loss and my gain.” I tightened my hold on him and wondered for a moment if he’d push me away.

He didn’t, and instead, his body relaxed. “I thought you were asleep.”

“I couldn’t sleep.” I paused, then added, “Brian messaged me today.” Orlando once again stiffened. “He said I was putting an unwanted stress on my parents. That I proved again that I was a disgrace to my family.”

“Have you responded?” I felt his stress, though his voice was void of emotions.

“No. I deleted his message. Whatever we had, it was over, and I want none of this. Maybe he’s trying to exert his powers as my brother-in-law, you know, trying to lecture me and all.”

“Good,” Orlando murmured, and his hold around me tightened. A relieved breath hit the crown of my head as I brought myself as close to him as possible. I wanted him to say more, but he didn’t.

“Good night, Orlando.”

“Good night, Arianna.”

***

When we woke the next morning, there was an ease in his smile. It was like we had been together much longer than we had. It was true; we had known each other for years. Mike always told us about his family and about Orlando, and I was sure he did the same with Orlando, talking about his friends.

However, this was the first time Orlando and I got to spend so much time together. The first time, we were more than a cousin’s friend and friend’s cousin. I didn’t stop to wonder where this would lead us. We were comfortable with what we had, and we didn’t need to discuss it.

We enjoyed breakfast by the pit fire, and when it was time to pack, I joined Orlando. I had to admit I enjoyed the hangover look everyone sported this morning. It served them right for acting like cats in heat last night.

“There’s a British-themed costume party tonight, if you don’t know already,” Orlando announced as we packed the tent.

“What?” An involuntary groan left my lips as I looked at him. “We just had a party.”

“That was for business associates. This one is for Enrique and Chiara’s friends.”

“Ugh! Can I be excused?”

“Nope,” he shook his head, “you’re my date, remember?”

“And what am I dressing as?”

“An eighteenth-century maiden.” Orlando’s smile only widened when he noticed the appalled look on my face. He is kidding, right?

“I’d prefer to go as a hooker.”

“We’re talking about the eighteenth century, hon. You’d still be required to dress to please.”

That’s it. I’m packing and leaving this Godforsaken party this instant.

“You’re not leaving,” Orlando commented as he suppressed a laugh. I could tell my face was a dead giveaway of what was on my mind. “I’ll be at your door at seven p.m.” With that, he lifted the folded tent with ease, carrying it to the Jeep.

“You look constipated,” Rosie chirped as she nudged my ribs.

“Did you hear what he said?”

“About the costume party, right?” Her face lit up. “I’m so excited. It’s going to be fun.”

I palmed my face, cursing myself for even asking her. Party freak. A permanent scowl had replaced my otherwise calm expression as I climbed into my seat. Should I feign illness? Orlando wouldn’t believe me. Then, a sudden idea clicked. I’d tell them I got my period. Yes!

“Don’t even think about it,” Rosie deadpanned beside me as if reading my thoughts. “You finished your period three days ago.”

Orlando’s chest rumbled with laughter in the front seat. A deep, rich sound I’d grown addicted to. Bitch!

Rosie shrugged off the death glares I gave her. This, right here, was the con of friends you’d known since kindergarten. They knew exactly how your mind worked.

***

My scowl deepened, and my hatred toward the costume party rose to a new level as the assistant they hired for the party secured the knots of my corset. If possible, my eyes almost bulged out of my head when she pulled the last thread. My generous breasts were now flat, pulled tightly against my body.

The painstaking process of dressing consumed a solid thirty minutes. I continued to take shallow breaths as the dress limited the movement of my lungs. Fuck! I hated this. Never in my life had I worn so much clothing at one time. The corset, petticoats, additional hidden pockets, a roll, stockings, garters, the gown, a stomacher, a kerchief, an apron, shoes, and complicated layers of clothing. I didn’t even know the name of most of my garments until the assistant calmly explained what they were.

All the knowledge gained went down the drain when the simpler task of breathing became the main focus. I wondered how women moved around in these things. The weight and length of the garment seemed to pull me down. I couldn’t even sit without feeling the bamboo thing she added around my waist that made my skirt flare. The low-cut neck did nothing to improve my breathing.

I’d gladly kill Orlando right this moment if he showed his face. Rosalinda, the traitor, trotted like an elegant feline, twirling around and admiring her outfit while I resembled a grumpy cat. Fortunately, everyone agreed on not using those funny-looking wigs. Our hair was curled and pinned to our head, leaving loose strands to rest on our shoulders.

I turned and hissed like a possessed woman when a knock sounded exactly at seven p.m. A string of profanities got stuck in my throat as Orlando’s striking features caught me off guard. He was extremely sexy in his outfit and looked every bit a British lord.

“Shall we?”

Stop it, Arianna. You should be killing him now. I tried to remember my anger when he gave me a dashing smile. I’ll kill him later. I focused on walking and not falling.

I managed to reach the party hall without tripping and finally looked up. My breath caught in my throat when I took note of the arrangements. The normally exquisite banquet hall was transformed into an eighteenth-century ballroom. The long curtains, tapestries, and paintings made me feel as if I was transported back in time.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathed. It was getting easier to breathe through the confines of my clothes. The younger crowd looked elegant in different colors of clothing and accessories. They appeared lively despite the soft orchestra playing in the background.

Though I initially despised the idea of a themed party, I found myself enjoying this one. Mainly because it didn’t have any gossip mongers that often crowded my parents’ parties. The guests were all couples in their mid-twenties through the early thirties. Several friendly smiles were thrown my way as we bumped into each other. My heart felt lighter as time passed.

Enrique and Chiara were the main focus. Dressed like a duke and duchess, they were the definition of a perfect couple, looking so much in love. Their joyful smiles were contagious. Orlando was attached to my side the entire time, taking me around and introducing me to his friends.

“Orlando, buddy, it’s so good to see you.” An excited voice greeted us as we made our way through the crowd. My eyes went wide when I noticed who it was. Dean McAllister played for the Green Bay Packers, one of the most popular teams in the National Football League.

“Dean!” Orlando’s face lit up. “It’s been a long time.” The men hugged, clapping each other’s backs before parting. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

Dean McAllister is Orlando’s friend? Wow!

“Enrique called.” Dean grinned. “He even booked the tickets three months ago.”

“It’s good to see you, man. Thanks for coming.”

Dean waved him off. “We should’ve gotten together earlier.” His attention turned toward me, and I stood staring at him with my jaw ajar. “Is she with you?”

I blinked as his words registered. My gaze snapped to meet Orlando’s, and our eyes locked, hope in mine and a smile in his. I saw no doubt in his eyes as his lips stretched, widening his smile.

“Yes, she is.”

A silent gasp from me was the only response he got before I averted my face to hide my blush. Did he just call me his? He did. A secret smile graced my lips as butterflies fluttered in my belly.

“Congrats, man!” Dean was hugging Orlando again. “Congratulations, lady!” I tried to keep my blush at bay.

“Thanks.” I couldn’t hear my voice as my lips moved.

“Ari, can you hang out with Rosie and Skyler for a while? I’ll be back soon,” Orlando whispered in my ear. His eyes held a pleading look, and I understood his need to catch up with his old friend in private.

“Sure,” I said. “You don’t have to hurry.”

“You’re the best.”

His soft peck on my cheek left me breathless, and I watched him lead Dean out of the party hall with a stunning smile.

“I saw that.” I almost jumped out of my skin and whirled around to stare at Rosie, who laughed out loud.

“Rosie!” I hissed. “I told you not to do that.”

“It’s fun,” she said happily. “Look.” She waved her phone in front of my face.

It was a photo of Orlando pecking my cheek. “How did you even manage that?”

“I have my ways, just like you have yours.” She winked.

I shook my head. “He called me his.” I couldn’t help but smile.

“I’m so happy for you, Ari. You deserve to be happy. When you stand at your twin bitch’s wedding, I want you to smile wider. You won’t cry for that jerk again.”

Thinking about Brian didn’t hurt as it did before. While it was too early to say where I stood with Orlando, I couldn’t help but bask in the attention he was showering me with. He was everything Brian wasn’t––simple truth. The more time I spent with Orlando, the more I realized what I had with Brian wasn’t what I’d have wanted in the long run. I’d have seen him for what he was and would’ve eventually left him. Perhaps broken beyond repair. I thanked my lucky stars now that it happened the way it had.