“Did you make a New Year’s resolution?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I said quietly.
“Care to share?”
I squinched up my face timidly. “Not at the moment?”
“Aww, come on. Just a tease? I’m dying to know.”
“Let’s just say…” I grinned, “…it has something to do with hosting a pageant.”
Christos’ smile widened and his dimples appeared.
I stood on my tiptoes and licked one dimple, then the other, before pecking him softly on the lips.
I was desperately in love with this man.
I sighed contently. This was the best New Year’s Eve I’d ever had. Nothing could ruin it.
My 2014 was going to rock, I was certain of it.
I was so swept away by the moment, I almost completely missed the double-dagger glare Tiffany was giving me.
SAMANTHA
The New Year’s celebrations were in full swing.
It turned out there were audio speakers hidden all over Tiffany’s yacht, so when someone cranked up the party mix tunes, every flat surface on the ship became an impromptu dance floor.
Christos and I were on the wooden deck on the top floor of the boat, dancing like lunatics, laughing and gyrating under the moon and stars.
Romeo and Kamiko climbed the stairs, drinks in hand, and danced next to us.
“You guys are so cute together,” I said to them sarcastically.
“Too bad it feels like dancing with my sister,” Kamiko joked.
Romeo planted a big fat sloppy kiss on Kamiko’s cheek. “I’m the big sister you wish you had, dearest.”
“Gross! You kiss like a fish!” Kamiko cried. “Aren’t there any available gentlemen on this boat?”
“Here comes one now,” Romeo mumbled as Brandon walked up the stairs. “Where’s your date, Brandon?” Romeo asked suggestively.
Brandon chuckled. “I came stag.”
Romeo leaned over to me and whispered, “I’d love to bag his stag. It is rutting season, isn’t it?”
I giggled into the back of my hand.
“Here,” Romeo said, “I’ll let you dance with my date.” Romeo grabbed Brandon by the hand and practically threw Kamiko into his arms.
“Romeo!” Kamiko blurted, tripping over her heels. Her dress spun as Brandon caught her and twirled her smoothly, swing style.
“Do you mind if I have this dance?” Brandon asked without missing a beat.
“Uhhh…” Kamiko was wide-eyed with embarrassed excitement.
Brandon led while Kamiko fell into step with him. They were actually quite good together, although Brandon towered over her.
Kamiko flashed me and Romeo a look of stark disbelief. She silently mouthed the words,
“Thank me later, darling,” Romeo smiled. Turning to me and Christos, he said, “May I have this dance?”
“Huh?” I said. “You want to dance with me?”
“No, you crazy loon! I want to dance with your boyfriend!”
“Why not,” Christos chuckled.
Before I could object, Christos grabbed Romeo around the waist and led him in a circle like a ballroom dancer.
“Squueeeeee!” Romeo cried as his eyes fireworked with delight.
Christos laughed and released Romeo after a couple of good-natured twirls.
Romeo literally sagged to a sitting position and pooled on the deck. “I think I’ve died and gone to heaven, Sam.”
Everybody laughed, even Brandon.
“I think I need another drink or six,” Romeo said, pushing himself to his feet. “Help me Sam, it’s the least you can do after stealing the hottest man on the planet from my greedy grasp.”
“We’ll be right back,” I said to Christos.
“No worries,” Christos said. “I may have to cut in on Brandon in a second. He’s having a bit too much fun with Kamiko.”
Kamiko goggled with girlish glee.
“They’re fighting over you, Kamiko,” Romeo said. “Enjoy it while it lasts.”
I followed Romeo down the steps to the main deck. We walked over to the kitchen where fresh drinks were being poured. I got a refill on my champagne, but Romeo wanted a mixed drink. I think it was an excuse for him to flirt with the guy in black and white tending the bar.
I walked to the back deck on the main floor to enjoy the view.
I didn’t know how far we were from shore, but I saw no lights whatsoever, not even the glow of city lights over San Diego. Only the stars above glinted on the vast ocean surrounding us.
After a time, I decided to find everyone inside. I turned around and nearly bumped into Tiffany as she was walking out of the main cabin. “You,” she sneered. “Why can’t I ever get rid of you?”
My stomach twisted ominously. “Hey, Tiffany,” I said, trying to sound friendly, hoping to set her at ease.
She glared in response.
“It’s a yacht,” she corrected.
“Well, it’s really nice. And dinner was nice too. Everything was totally yummy.” I flashed a nervous smile.
“What is it with you?” she hissed.
“Huh?” I was confused. How did she manage to always make me feel like an insignificant idiot, no matter what happened? I think it was her super power.
“Why did you have to come along and ruin everything?” she snarled.
“What, I didn’t—”
“First Christos, then Brandon.”
“I’m not with Brandon,” I said defensively.
“I see the way he looks at you,” she leered.
“I’m not interested in Brandon. I’m with Christ—”
“You think you’re all that, you stupid bitch?” she snapped, interrupting me.
She continued her tirade, “Coming into my world and glomming onto Christos? You think it’s that easy? You’re fucking wrong, you dirty slit.” Tiffany had the fangs out now. “I’m sure you gave it up to Christos the day you met him, just like every other slut has.”
“That’s not true—”
She cut me off dismissively. “That’s all he wants from you, or any of them,” she hissed. “Because that’s all you have to give. Just your skeevy, skankish, poorhouse cunt.”
I held in my gasp. Tiffany was drunk. I wasn’t playing into her torrent of insults.
“I’m the only one good enough for Christos,” Tiffany slurred. “He’s not going to stay interested in you for long.” Tiffany held her glass of champagne in her hand and extended an accusatory finger at me. With each sentence she thrust her hand forward, causing champagne to slosh inside the glass. “As soon as he’s had his fun with you, and I can tell you’re nothing more than a slimy slutcrack so it won’t take long, he’s going to move onto the next one, and the next. Until he finally figures it out.”
