Chapter 3

A smug look formed on his face, “I don’t know if that’s true.” He shrugged nonchalantly, “I’ve been told my charm could melt the hearts of the coldest women.”

“Well, I’m not like every woman you’ve ever met,” I sneered.

This guy must be a real Casanova. I give myself a mental pat on the back for not tripping over my own feet, to sink my claws into this man. Then again, I’ve never done that before and I don’t instead start now.

Especially not this guy. 

Surprising me, he nodded his head in agreement, “You certainly aren’t.”

Was that supposed to be an insult or compliment?

I pushed that thought to the back of my mind. I shouldn’t care what this guy thinks. I barely know the man. I sighed and pulled my phone out of my clutch to check the time. Ava needs to hurry because the show is going to start soon and she still hasn’t come out of the restroom.

I peeked over his shoulder to see if she got out yet. Just as my eyes reached over his shoulder, I see Ava walking out, as if she heard my thoughts calling for her to hurry. I couldn’t stop the expression of relief that showed on my face. She saw the man standing in front of me, and raised her brow at me. Giving me a teasing wink at who this man could be. She had yet to see his face, and could only see his back. 

As she stood by me, now able to see the mystery man’s face, “Hey, I’m back.” Ava let out a breath. “That damn line was long.”

She then looked at the man beside me and her eyes bugled. If this was a cartoon, hearts would be popping out of her eyes and chest. She took in the sight of him and gave me a look that said, who is this sexy devil-looking man?

She flipped her hair over her hair and in a flirty tone greeted, “Well, hello there.” That always works on every man she would hit on.

Ava had what some would call the “It Factor.” She radiated the type of confidence and sexiness that pulled men toward her like a siren. Some people got it and some people didn’t.

Ava sure as heck got it. 

The mystery man smirked at her and then raised an eyebrow at her approach towards him. He then glanced at me and something flashed in his eyes.

I plastered a blank look on my face, as I saw him turn his attention to my best friend.

“Hello,” his voice suddenly husky. He winked at Ava, encouraging her to continue her flirting.

Ava bit her bottom lip and stepped closer to him.

As awful as it sounded, I was jealous. I rarely got jealous and it pissed me off that I am. I know I have no right to this man. Plus, I can’t be mad at Ava because she doesn’t know about this guy. I didn’t tell her about what happened at the craft fair because, for some reason, I wanted this to stay a secret.

Now that I’m seeing them flirt with each other, I’m starting to regret it. I need to get out of here before I do something I might regret. I don’t know what I would do, but I feel like whatever it was, wouldn’t be good. 

“I’m going to get a drink of water; I’ll be right back,” I mumbled and left the two of them alone, walking further and further away.

“Okay,” replied Ava, even though she wasn’t looking at me. Her eyes were locked on the guy whose name I had yet to know.

I scoffed to myself when I realized that I did it again. I still didn’t ask for his name. Maybe it’s better that way. Seeing the snack bar, I stood in line waiting to get water. That way he doesn’t think I was escaping from him because I was jealous of him and my friend flirting.

That’s exactly what you did, said a small voice in my head.

I sighed and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

Suddenly I felt someone bump into me from behind. Causing me to bump into the person in front of me. She turned around and I realized it was the woman who was across the room in the black gown.

“Sorry,” I said in a sheepish tone. “The people behind me seem to not know the meaning of standing still.” I pointed with my thumb to the back of me.

She peeked over my shoulder and sure enough, there were a couple of guys laughing and pushing each other, not being aware of the people around them as they stood in line.

Turning her attention back to me, she chuckled and shook her head. “It’s alright.”

As I’m waiting in line, I notice Ava walking to me with an annoyed expression. I wondered what must have happened to make her feel that way. I just left them alone five seconds ago. If the mystery man said something to insult her, I will give him a piece of my mind and chew his ear off.

Figuratively of course. 

She looped her arms around mine and huffed.

I looked at her and tilted my head. “What’s wrong?”

“He’s unbelievable.” She scoffed.

I stared at her, waiting for her to explain.

She scowled, “He had a girlfriend all this time.” Her eyes now blazing with fury.

My eyes widened, “What!?” A pang of hurt filled my chest. Then anger soon came after.

One of the things I loved about Ava is her way of creating relationships. If a man had a girlfriend, fiancé, or was married. She would always deny his pursue, or halt hers from happening and never encourage any sort of intimate man between the man and herself. She and I hated cheaters and always feel bad for the women that had those types of men in their lives.

She nodded her head. “Soon after you left, a woman came to him. She was dressed in a red dress and looped her arm around his and pulled him to a couple that was on the other side of the room.” Ava pouted, as she admitted, “She was very beautiful too.”

That must have been the other woman with the couple I seen earlier. Funny how the other women in that group were standing right in front of me. Not realizing that we’re talking about her friend.

I gave her a side hug in comfort and a part of me felt like I needed that too. I got played by the same man. Thank goodness I didn’t do anything to encourage something to happen between us.

When it was time for me to order, I quickly got my water and walked towards the now opened door, leading people to the theater room. The inside of the room was huge and equally matched the atmosphere of the lobby in the building. There were two levels of seats. We were lucky to sit on the first level in the front row. There were six seats left. Ava and I quickly sat down in our seats, leaving the four seats on my right open. 

“Whoever is sitting in those seats,” Ava nodded to my right, “better hurry before the show starts.”

“I know right,” I whispered in agreement.

“I’m going to give Lucas a big thank you after the show, even though I wasn’t the reason he gave us the tickets,” Ava whispered in my ear with a laugh.

I playfully pushed her and focused my attention to the front as the lights dimmed and curtains began to open to a huge white screen with all types of colors flashing behind it.

“Wow,” I whispered in awe.

I noticed a group of people coming to sit beside us in the corner of my eye. Then the small sound of a slight scuffle and someone growling “What the hell man!?”

Curious as to what was the reason for the complaint, I turned my head and saw the group of people that just sat down.

My jaw slightly dropped. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” I said to myself in disbelief.

The person beside me smirked and grinned in response.

It was him.

The mystery man.