“Mina?” My name was no more than a surprised puff of air from his lips as his eyes roamed over my made-up face and then slowly down my body. I glanced beside him at the brunette who was impatiently tapping her foot and examining her nails. She was overly made up too and I wondered if she was just as plain under all that contouring as everyone thought I was. I guess the illusion didn’t matter when it was only meant to be a quick tryst, when the masks didn’t need to slip out of place. My eyes moved back to meet Tucker’s.

“Yes?” I asked, drawing the word out as he simply stared at me. When it was clear that he had nothing to say, I placed my almost empty glass on the bar and slipped off the stool. I was still only wearing my flat sandals, so I had to look up at literally everyone.

“Oh, honey, you need to learn how to wear heels,” one of the women tittered out.

“Oh honey, why would I when I’m already blowjob sized? I don’t even have to get a crick in my neck to perform, how about you?” Wes sputtered out the sip of whatever he had just been drinking, while Tucker’s eyes widened even further, if that was possible. “Now, if you’ll all excuse me, I have things to do.” I moved to leave but was halted by a hand coming around my bicep, a move that was starting to feel a little too familiar.

“I thought you were staying upstairs?” Tucker questioned me.

“I never said that.” The smirk on my face was all challenge.

“I told you that we were going out and you should stay, where you’d be safe.”

“And you’re not my daddy, and I’m an adult besides, so why the hell would I listen to you?”

“Mina!” My name was hissed from between his lips then. “We’re getting married tomorrow. You belong upstairs.”

“You’re what?” One of the brunettes shrieked. “You said you were single, and not here with anyone.”

“Don’t worry, I’m used to his infidelity,” I countered. “You’re not hurting my feelings.”

“How could you allow him to do that?” The other woman asked.

“Because I don’t give a shit about him,” I informed them. “I barely know him. Why would I care? I’m just marrying him because he’s a convenience.” There, I’d said it. Our dirty little secret aired out like so much soiled laundry.

“Aww, that’s so sad,” one of the women pouted and then came over and hugged me. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered in my ear and I was literally taken aback before she explained. “My sister did that too, arranged through some shady service, and she stupidly fell in love with the man. It broke her. Don’t let him break you that way, okay?”

When she pulled away, I had a hard time hiding the wetness that was building behind my eyes. Instead of becoming more of a spectacle, I nodded my head and turned to walk away once more. I guess, Tucker had reached out to stop me again, but his efforts were thwarted by tonight’s hookup.