Falling for the Enemy

Ch.13

Althea

Maybe it’s the alcohol. Maybe it’s the romantic atmosphere, courtesy of the string lights, the music, and the gentle breeze coming off the lake. Whatever the reason, the sun has barely set when I find myself on the dance floor with an unlikely partner.

“You're not as terrible a dancer as you were in college," I tease Eros, letting him spin me under his arm. His laugh is rich and uninhibited.

“I've had practice since then."

Of course he has. With the finest teachers?

Maybe. There’s little left that he can’t buy. I try to imagine his life during our twelve years apart, where he’s gone, what he’s learned, who he was with.

It’s like trying to imagine an alien world, though, and every time I make the attempt, I come up short. But does it really matter? We’re here now, and things are – oddly enough – working out.

The week of tension since the accomplishments seems to have melted away beneath the summer night sky, replaced by something that feels dangerously like nostalgia.

I did the right thing with my speech, which wasn’t impulsive, but rather something I had thought about for hours today. Eros clearly doesn’t hold any ill will toward me, so, despite what he did, I realize it’s up to me to make things better between us.

He promised to give me creative say in the company, and this is what I can give him in return: a peace offering. So far, it seems to be working very well.

“I'm glad you came tonight," Eros says, his voice dropping lower.

“I wasn't sure you would."

“And miss free champagne? Please." I roll my eyes, but only to avoid looking straight at him.

"You know how to throw a good party, I'll give you that." The song shifts to something slower, and Eros’s hand slides to the small of my back, a whisper of pressure that sends an unwelcome shiver up my spine.

It’s only natural to stand this close while

It’s only natural to stand this close while slow-dancing, but it makes it hard to remember how to breathe properly. Around us, our coworkers dance and mingle, some casting curious glances our way.

How much of the story they have, I’m not sure. Nor do I want to distract myself from my work by getting caught up in possible rumors or trying to prove something to people. I’ve always let a job well done speak for my character.

“Want another drink?" Eros asks as the song ends. I bite into my smile.

“Nope.”

Eros weaves through the crowd toward one of the several bars set up around the property, and I watch him go, unable to deny that he cuts an impressive figure in his tailored suit.

The man knows how to dress now; I'll give him that. Gone are the days of hoodies and jeans that hung too loose on his lanky frame.

In fact, he’s also clearly not lanky anymore. He’s filled out with strong, compact muscles. Needing to distract myself from the pointless thoughts about his body, I take a moment to look around at his estate.

The sprawling lakefront property must have cost a fortune, with its perfectly landscaped gardens, infinity pool that appears to merge with the lake beyond, and the sleek, modern mansion that looks like something out of an architectural magazine.

It's beautiful, undeniably, but also a reminder of how far Eros has come — and how far apart our lives have grown.

“Well, well, well." Eva materializes at my side, her red curls bouncing. "Look who's dancing with the enemy."

“It's just a dance," I say, but even I can hear how defensive I sound.

“Mmhmm." She sips her drink, eyes sparkling with mischief.

“And that was just drool on your chin." "I was not drooling!"

“Nearly." She bumps her shoulder against mine. "I haven't seen you look at someone like that since… hm… never."

I scoff, but there's a fluttering in my stomach I'm trying very hard to ignore. "Don't be ridiculous. I'm just… making an effort. For the company."

"Sure, sure. For the company."

"Have you seen this place?" I gesture around us.

“It's like he's compensating for something." Eva laughs. "Maybe he is. Why don't you find out?" I open my mouth to protest, when Eros returns, balancing three drinks in his hands.

“I figured I'd grab one for you too, Eva," he says, extending a glass to her. "My hero."

Eva accepts it with a grin. "I was just telling Althea how impressive the party is. You've really gone all out."

“Thank you. Everyone deserves a good time after all the upheaval lately.”

Another song starts, and Eva is drawn back to the dance floor, leaving Eros and me alone once more. The drink he’s brought me is sweet and strong, and sipping it makes me feel pleasantly warm.

“Tonight is really nice,” I tell him. “Thank you.” I can feel his eyes on me, and that alone makes me too flustered to look his way.

“Thank you again for what you said earlier,” he says softly, his voice breaking at the end. “I… I think I’ve maybe been unfair to you.” I finally get the courage to turn and look at him, but as I do I lose my balance slightly, my heel catching in the grass.

My cocktail glass slips from my hand, shattering against one of the stone pavers that form a path across the lawn.

“s**t!" I drop to my knees without thinking, reaching to pick up the larger shards. "Althea, don't—" Eros starts, but it's too late. A sharp pain slices across my palm as a piece of glass cuts deep.

I pull my hand back, watching blood well up and spill across my skin. The cut on my palm isn’t deep or serious, but it’s bleeding and I feel like an i***t. Eros is kneeling beside me in an instant, his face tight with concern.

“Let me see."

“It's fine," I insist, but he's already taking my wrist gently, examining the cut in the dim light.

"That's going to need cleaning," he says, his voice firm. "Come inside. I have a first aid kit."

"Really, it's not that bad⁠—"

“Althea." His tone brooks no argument. "You're bleeding all over your dress. Let me help." I glance down and see that he's right — drops of blood are already staining the fabric of my cocktail dress.

“Okay,” I agree. “Thank you.”