Chapter 2
I took a cab back to the apartment I shared with Andrew.
Andrew's stuff was all over the couch—jackets, papers, the works. I headed into the bedroom and pulled out that black suitcase from under the closet.
The suitcase was small, only big enough for the basics. I opened the closet, grabbed some warm jackets, folded them up, and packed them in.
I heard the lock click open, then the door swing wide.
"Andrew, this place is in a great spot. Must've cost you a fortune, huh?" Anna called out from the living room.
"It was alright. Just picked it up," Andrew replied, sounding totally chill.
His footsteps got closer, and then Andrew pushed open the bedroom door. He saw me crouched on the floor, packing my suitcase. His eyes lingered on it for a couple of seconds, and he frowned.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
I stuffed the last sweater into the suitcase and zipped it up.
"Just switching out my clothes for the new season. Gonna drop them off at the dry cleaner," I said.
Andrew walked in, loosened his tie, and tossed his suit jacket onto the bed.
"Tom and the guys set something up at the Velvet Lounge tonight to welcome Anna. Go get changed and come with me," he said.
I stood up and pushed the suitcase into the corner.
"I'm kind of tired. I don't really feel like going," I replied.
Anna showed up in the doorway, leaning there with a photo frame in her hand. It was a shot of Andrew and me at the beach last year.
She said, "Luna, Andrew's friends are dying to meet you. Everyone says you've got him totally whipped; he never comes out when they call.
"I finally got him to show up tonight, and if you bail, they'll think I'm some clueless third wheel.
She tapped her finger against the glass of the frame. "Besides, I heard some of Andrew's old buddies have the wrong idea about you.
"This is your chance to clear things up and get on their good side. If you wanna stick around your man, you gotta get along with his crew."
I stared at the frame Anna was holding.
"Put it back," I said.
Anna paused for a second, then let out a laugh. "Luna, don't be so cold. I was curious. Andrew looks really good in this picture."
She put the frame back on the nightstand, but her movement was a bit too forceful. The edge of the frame knocked against the corner of the nightstand with a sharp crack, and a crack appeared on the glass.
Anna clapped a hand over her mouth. "Oh no, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to. Andrew, I think I broke the frame."
Andrew glanced at the crack, walked over to the nightstand, picked up the frame, and tossed it straight into the trash can.
He said, "It's nothing but a cheap frame. No big deal. I'll grab a new one later.
Andrew looked at me."Luna, Anna didn't do it on purpose. Quit acting like the world's ending for you. Go get changed; don't make Tom and the guys wait all night."
I stared at the frame lying in the trash. In the photo, Andrew was gazing down at me with that gentle look in his eyes. Now, the crack cut right between us, separating the two of us.
I tore my gaze away, headed to the closet, and grabbed a black dress.
"I'll go get changed," I said.
Andrew gave a satisfied nod and headed out.
"I'll be waiting for you in the car downstairs. Hurry up," he said.
He led Anna out of the bedroom.
I slipped into the black dress and sat down at the vanity. I opened the drawer and took out a diamond ring. Andrew gave it to me three years ago, back when he told me he loved me.
He said it was a family heirloom from his grandmother, reserved for the woman he'd marry someday.
I put the ring in a velvet box and tucked it into the side compartment of my suitcase.
Then I grabbed a comb and straightened my hair.
The private room at the Velvet Lounge was thick with smoke.
Andrew pushed open the door and led Anna and me inside. There were seven or eight guys in there; they were all his childhood buddies and business partners.
When we walked in, Tom Carter, sitting in the middle of the couch, let out a loud whistle.
"Well, well, if it isn't Andrew. Anna, it's been ages. You're getting prettier every time I see you," Tom called out.
Anna walked over and gave Tom a playful punch on the shoulder.
"Tom, you're still such a sweet talker. Andrew's picking up the tab tonight, so don't hold back," she said.
The atmosphere heated up in a flash. The guys eagerly pulled Anna right into the center of the couch, handing her drinks and smokes. Andrew slipped off his jacket and settled in next to her.
I lingered by the door; nobody bothered to greet me.
Andrew glanced at me.
"Luna, come sit," he said.
He gestured to the empty seat next to him.
I walked over and took a seat. The music was blasting so loud that my ears were aching.
Tom poured a full glass of liquor and slid it over to Anna.
"Anna, now that you're back home, you're not leaving again, right? From now on, you've got all your big brothers looking out for you. Come on, bottoms up," he said.
Anna picked up the glass, looking a little uneasy.
"Tom, I really can't hold my liquor. Andrew knows. I'm a lightweight. One drink and I'm toast," she said.
Anna shot Andrew a pleading look.
Andrew reached over and took the glass right out of Anna's hand.
"She's not drinking. I'll handle it for her," he said.
Andrew tipped his head back and downed the whole shot in one go.
Tom started the teasing. He said, "Look at Andrew, all soft for Anna. Still got her back like always."
Anna's cheeks flushed pink as she muttered, "Oh, stop it."
One of the guys from across the table shot me a look and suddenly said, "Hey, Luna, Andrew drank for Anna. You're his main girl. Shouldn't you step up and toast her, too?
"Anna's been Andrew's little sis since forever; come on, as his girl, aren't you gonna raise a glass for Anna?"
The room went quiet for a second, and everyone turned to look at me.
Anna quickly jumped in, waving her hands.
"No need, really. Luna never drinks. Don't put her on the spot," she said.
The guy grinned.
"Anna, you're always so considerate. But Luna, you're really not giving us any face tonight, huh?" he said.
I stared at the bottle on the table. My stomach was a mess. Andrew knew that. The doctor strictly forbade me from drinking even a drop.
I stayed right where I was, not moving an inch.
Andrew frowned, grabbed an empty glass, poured it halfway with liquor, and slid it over to me.
"Luna, everyone's having a good time. Just take a sip, show some goodwill," Andrew said.
I stared at the half-filled glass of amber liquor and said, "My stomach hurts. I can't drink."
Andrew's voice turned cold. "Don't ruin the mood. Anna just got back, and you can't even give her this little bit of respect?"
Anna got up and walked over to me, picking up the glass and holding it right up to my lips.
She said, "Luna, take a sip, okay? Otherwise, everyone will think you don't want me here. I promise, just this one."
Her wrist trembled, and some of the liquor splashed onto my black dress, leaving a dark, ugly stain.
I raised my hand and pushed Anna's wrist away.
"I told you, I'm not drinking," I said.
My push wasn't strong, but Anna let out a startled cry, stumbling backward and smacking right into the edge of the coffee table.
The glass slipped from her hand, crashing to the floor and shattering into a hundred pieces.
Anna landed hard, clutching her ankle as tears sprang to her eyes.
"It hurts," Anna said.
Andrew shot to his feet, stormed over, and shoved me out of the way before dropping to Anna's side.
He asked, "Anna, where does it hurt?"
Anna leaned into Andrew's arms, pointing at a red mark on her ankle.
"Andrew, it hurts so much. I think I twisted it," she said.
Andrew whipped his head around, his eyes icy as he stared me down.
He asked, "Luna, what the hell is wrong with you? If you don't want to drink, fine, but why did you have to push Anna?"
I stared at the shards of glass scattered across the floor.
I said, "I didn't push her."
Andrew stood up, towering over me. "Apologize."