Roommates

Chapter 23

"Oooh, hello Mr. Fabio Garza." Amanda's eyes refocused on a tall man with long, dark, slicked backed hair. He was dressed flamboyantly in a metallic blue suit. Somehow the autumn New York weather has not dulled his bronze skin.

"Who's that?" I stared at the man in confusion.

"He's the designer," Amanda replied. "Do you think I can corner him and convince him to let me be his muse?"

"If anyone can corner anyone, it would be you," I answered.

"Awe that's so sweet," Amanda grinned, determination burning through her eyes. "Now give me your coat."

"Why can't I just wear it?" I crossed my arms defiantly.

"Because that dress needs to be shown off," Amanda stated. "You need to show off. You are Hannah's girlfriend. Show everyone in this room why you are her one and only."

"How?" I was perplexed by Amanda's words. How was I supposed to do that?

"By looking good. By feeling good and by being by your girlfriend's side," Amanda listed out. She took the flowers from hands as I reluctantly slipped out of the coat. 

"Only for a few minutes then give it back," I said before handing the coat over to her. She gave me back the flowers.

"Now go get her!" Amanda pushed me forward and smacked my butt.

I turned back and glared at her.

"It's a friendly love tap," Amanda stated.

With every step I took, I could feel my heart racing like crazy. I don't know why I was so nervous. I was just going to see my girlfriend. I was being a supportive girlfriend. Yeah, that's all I was doing. What was so scary about that?

"Cara?" Hannah's voice called out in confusion and it snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Hi," I said with a grin.  My hand automatically went up for a wave, but then I realized that I was holding flowers in my hands.

Hannah's eyes widen as her eyes traveled down my dress. "You look amazing."

"You're always amazing." I handed the flowers to her.

Hannah's featured finally relaxed as she grabbed my hand and pulled me toward her.

"Adalene, this is my girlfriend Cara," Hannah stated as she held me against her.

Adalene's eyes narrowed as she focused in on me, trying to size me up.  I knew we were not going to like each other. Her smile was too forced like she had too many botox injections. 

"Cara this is Adalene, an...old acquaintance of mine," Hannah stated.

"We've been much closer than mere acquaintances," Adalene answered with a smirk.

When she spoke there was a hint of a French accent. If it wasn't for her smugness, I would have found her voice pleasant. Her words irked me in a way I haven't felt before. A part of me wanted to rip the smug look off her face. Another part of me said to keep calm and to be civilized. 

Hannah clenched her jaw, trying to hold back her anger.  I took her hand and squeezed it gently.

Gregarious laughter interrupted our tense moment and we all turned to see Amanda and Fabio walking arm and arm toward us.

"You are one of a kind," Fabio declared in a thick Italian accent.

"Keep saying sweet things to me," Amanda replied with a satisfied grin.

Hannah and I glanced at each other in confusion before turning our attention back on the duo. Amanda must have worked her charm.

"Hannah, your sister is such a delight," Fabio proclaimed. "You must bring her to the after party."