Oh.
I wrinkled my nose. “Eww.” Dating one of Eva’s exes had to be just as bad as dating one of my sister’s ex-boyfriends. “Why didn’t he mention that? I even told him we were related.”
“Welcome to Ty Lasher,” Eva said. “He doesn’t have a moral bone in his body. The bastard cheated on me, twice, in the three months we were together.”
“Yeesh. Thanks for the warning.” I would not be returning to a conversation with that douche. “So, wait. If you two have such a bad past, why is he at one of your parties?” And why had she been so cordial about greeting him?
“Because anyone who’s anyone comes to my parties. They are the bomb, baby.”
“Unfortunately, she’s right,” a voice said, tingling my spine, as someone stepped into the hallway behind me. “Mercer does know how to throw a hell of a party.”
“Mason,” Eva hissed, her eyes narrowing. “What a surprise. I rarely see you at these. And I don’t recall inviting you to this one, either.”
I thought that was a strange observation. Eva probably hadn’t invited most the people here.
“No,” Mason agreed. When I dared to turn around, I saw his sneer was just as hard as my cousin’s. “But your boyfriend did.”
Eva’s lips tightened. “And I will be having a few words with Alec about that. Trust me.”
“Okay, hold on.” I adjusted my stance so I could see both Eva and Mason. I lifted my hands and shook them. “I don’t get this. Mason didn’t take advantage of you when you were drunk, and you don’t want him here. Yet that Ty guy cheated on you twice and you just hugged him in welcome. That makes no sense.”
Eva blinked as if she didn’t understand my confusion. “ReeRee, Ty is the son of a judge. This…person is nothing but a holier-than-thou male prostitute.”
“A prostitute who turned you down,” Mason taunted. “Pride stung much?”
She glared at him. “You are such a smug—”
“—bastard,” he finished for her, his voice pleasant. “Yeah, I remember.”
“You don’t belong here.” She balled her hands into fists, damn near vibrating with fury. “How dare you crash my party? You’re a nobody from nowhere who—”
“Hey!” I jumped in front of him, facing off with my cousin. “Back off. You invited everyone and their dog to this party tonight. Stop being such a stuck-up snob. I want Mason to stay. He’s fun to talk to.”
E. stared at me hard, as if searching for something before glancing over my shoulder. Eyes narrowing, she clutched my arm. Keeping a censorious gaze on him, she spoke quietly in my ear. “Remember what I told you, ReeRee. Don’t do it.” Then she plowed past us, shoulder checking Mason as she left.
I stared after her, confused as ever with the burning need to apologize for her.
“Don’t do what?” Mason asked from behind me.
I whirled to face him and my breath caught. God, it was too late; I had totally disregarded Eva’s warning already and fallen big time. Into what, I wasn’t exactly sure. But Mason Lowe definitely had a hold on my emotions.
“I think she’s worried I’ll follow in her footsteps and try to throw myself at you like she did.”
“You think?” His eyes scanned my face. “Well, you do tend to act like her little lemming.”
I gasped, appalled and hurt he saw that in me. “I do not.”
His eyes gleamed with amusement before he tapped the end of my nose. “New nose ring,” he noticed, sealing his point.
I covered my diamond stud with my hand, hiding the evidence. “Okay, but I don’t follow her over the cliff every time.”
“No,” he agreed amicably. “But I’m glad you did this time. That ring makes you look incredibly…hot.”
He sounded surprised by that fact.
I was surprised he thought so. Clearing my throat, I glanced away, knowing I should respond somehow, but I just couldn’t.
Mason blew out a breath. “I knew you’d be here tonight.”
Whirling back, I gawked badly. “You…you’re here because of me?”
He shifted, glancing away briefly, looking uncomfortable before he turned back and suddenly thrust something at me that I hadn’t even realized he’d been holding. “Here. I wanted to return this.”
I stared down at my Harry Potter book in shock. Frowning, I took it slowly. After slipping it from his hand, I looked up. “What? You mean, you finished it? Already?”