by Willow Aster
“Did you not say a pool party?”
She covers her mouth in horror. “Do people really swim at those things though? Oh, merde.”
She’s so flustered she leaves the office and then flies back in. “Louie? Louie, come here, love.”
Louie is hiding under my desk by my feet and he stays as still as he can, not moving an inch.
She looks at me wildly. “Where did he go? Please tell me he didn’t go find more chocolate.”
“He’s under here,” I tell her, leaning down and scooping him up. It would be too mean to let her worry about him, although I was tempted with the way he was cuddled up to my feet. He bares his teeth at Maman when she walks toward him.
“Sorry, little buddy,” I whisper into his fluffy neck.
He looks at me longingly as she stuffs him back into the bag and sashays out of the room.
“Saturday at three,” she calls out.
“I’ll be there.”
I don’t hesitate. I have the text written to Caden in three seconds flat.
You up for a pool party on Saturday at 3? My parents’ place?
It takes a little longer for him to answer and when he does, it’s jarring. I don’t think he’s ever pulled the one letter man-text with me. Not once.
K.
K? I feel hurt and the tiniest bit like I want to go off on him but realize it could be my snobbery getting in the way right now. I know it’s not the worst thing he could do, it’s just so Jeremy. So typical male. So not Caden.
Now I’m certain I’ve done something wrong or that he’s done with this little arrangement.
If you’re not able to, no worries! Just thought a little pool time might be nice with how hot it’s been.
Sounds good, he says back. No cute nickname, no emoji.
Dejected, I shut everything down and pull a Vivienne Dubois. I go shopping and I spend too much money.
Caden is sweet when I see him the next day at work. I almost think I imagined the whole thing. He’s still not quite as attentive as he usually is, but I think I’m expecting too much out of a fake relationship. The poor guy can’t be on 24/7, especially when he’s put his dating life on hold. When Pen was in town, she let it slip that he definitely isn’t seeing anyone else, and that he’s taking his job as my fake boyfriend very seriously. “He doesn’t want to give Jeremy anything to run with,” she’d said.
That made my heart nearly burst with butterflies, but it also made me feel so guilty. I guess the sooner all of this can be resolved, the easier it will be for everyone.
So I guess I’m going to enjoy this time with him while it lasts. Can’t say I love the thought of being his best buddy when he starts bringing all the Veronicas home. The thought makes my stomach twist.
Oh no. What if the insulation isn’t the best? What if I could hear him with someone?
I’m so shaken up by where my thoughts are taking me, I avoid Caden as much as possible in the days leading up to Saturday. It’s hard to do, but I manage to do it without a single confrontation. The work gets done, and Caden and I haven’t had a second alone. Not one lingering look either. I’ve been very professional.
And I haven’t brought up the pool party again either. It’s killing my little organized brain to not double-check to see if he’s going or not, but I resist. The last thing he needs is a clingy fake girlfriend.
Saturday morning, he texts while I’m still in bed.
Should I bring the pizza slice floats for the party today? You think Vivienne would approve?
He sends a picture of the Taylor siblings, Emma, Mya, and Caden’s mom, on individual pizza slice floats, and they’re all in a circle to make the full pizza. I crack up. If you look up fun in the dictionary, there would be a picture of the Taylor family.
I cannot think of anything more perfect than this for a Vivienne party. I haven’t even told you about our special guest.
Louie in a bikini?
I lose it again. And feel so relieved that he seems back to himself again that I can’t even contain it. I jump out of bed, excited for the party. Because Caden will be with me.
Louie will definitely be in a bikini.
He doesn’t say anything else and I clean my apartment, do laundry, and take my time getting ready.
When it’s almost time to go, I unplug my phone from the charger and see that I’ve missed another text from Caden.
It’s a photoshopped picture of Louie sitting next to Hugh Hefner in front of the Playboy mansion. They’re both wearing long red robes and Louie’s sash is open. He’s standing up—I don’t know how he found a dog standing to make this work, but it’s freaking hilarious and a tiny Speedo is showing between the open flap.
I laugh until I cry.
I’m still laughing when he knocks on my door.
He’s smiling so big, but it drops when he sees me. I glance down at my ensemble and back up at him.
“Too much? I didn’t want to take the time to change when we got there, so I thought I’d just wear this on the way.”
He swallows hard. “Fuck, Cosette.”
My eyes widen and I’m pretty sure my nipples reach out to the heavens in hopes that they can touch him somehow.
“You look fucking amazing,” he says in a husky voice.
Damn. I fan myself with the huge hat I’m carrying to cover myself in the sun with later. Fortunately, his eyes are still scanning my tiny white bikini that’s showing through the long sheer black and white polka dot cover-up that reaches the floor. It’s all very old Hollywood with my black kitten heels and fire engine red lipstick. I have the long glam waves going too, and Caden takes note of it all.
Do I normally put in this much effort to attend a party of my mother’s? Absolutely not.
But thoughts of my fake boyfriend on my arm had me putting a little more effort in than usual.
“You look incredible,” I whisper. And he does. He looks ready for a beach wedding in his white linen shirt and pale grey linen pants.
“Not even fit to be seen next to you.” He holds his arm out and I loop mine through it.
“Not true even a little bit. You look good enough to eat.” The words leave my mouth and my eyes fly to his, mouth open. “I mean. That. Well, it’s true, but…”
He is stunned at first, but he quickly recovers, laughing all the way down the hall. We reach the elevator and step inside. The air feels expectant, like something good is about to happen.
Instead of turning to stand beside me in the elevator, he stands facing me and puts his hand on my waist.
Mercy me. Every part of me is straining to get closer to him and it’s like he feels it too, our bodies colliding into each other’s. His head lowers and I think—this is it, it’s happening for real this time!—when the elevator opens and Gus gets on.
“Well, Hot Cheetos and Takis, what do we have here?” He slaps his hands together and rubs. The guy is too good-looking and hilarious for his own good, because if it were anyone else interrupting whatever the hell that moment was between Caden and me, I’d want to inflict some kind of punishment. Instead, a little nervous laugh escapes me and I look down at my feet as if they’ll save me.
When I look up, Caden looks like he might throttle Gus and Gus is grinning so wide, I’m afraid it will stick.
“Hot damn, you guys look scorching hot.” His eyes widen when he takes in my whole outfit. “Uh, Cosette, I can see right through that dress.”
Caden bops the back of his head and Gus yelps.
“Well, I can!”
“It’s a swimsuit, and get your eyes back in your head, dickwaffle.” Caden’s usual teasing tone is gone and Gus’ grin is back.
“Okay, brother, my apologies to the lady,” Gus says, reaching out for my hand. “For the record, it is never a bad thing if I can see right through a dress. Just so we’re clear.”
He’s about to kiss the back of my hand, when Caden puts his hand between Gus’ lips and my hand. Gus cackles and I get the giggles too. Caden bites the inside
of his cheek, trying so hard not to laugh now. Gus lets go of my hand, and the elevator stops.
“Love you, brother,” he says. “You are nailing the method acting.”
He takes off before Caden can grab him again, his laughter echoing through the lobby.
Despite the Gus segue, the heat between Caden and me is still in full swing all the way to my parents’ house. We’re quieter than usual, but it feels necessary. I, for one, need time to regroup and remember that I like my newfound independence. Because my body is telling me I want to climb Caden like a tree and never come back down to earth.
Chapter Thirteen
Caden
I wasn’t sure what to expect at the Dubois pool party, but Alexander Fontaine was not it. Cosette tells me he’s here right as we’re walking through the gate and into the lush gardens surrounding a pool I’ve only ever seen on reality TV shows about the rich and famous. I am an admirer of his work, having studied his concepts of designing sustainably yet elegantly. He was the mastermind behind the Devereaux House in Paris, and I was obsessed with his creativity for a long stint in college.
All of that to say this: I almost can’t even care. That’s how bad my lust-filled thoughts are wrapped around Cosette Dubois. She is driving me fucking insane with her cherry lips and the way she always smells like the sweetest flowers. Her smile and the way—
“Cosette, over here,” Vivienne calls out, her hand on Alexander’s arm. He looks taller and better looking than I expected in person. And his eyes are honed in on Cosette. She does make quite the entrance without even trying.
She clasps my hand and I’ve never been more grateful to have her by my side. I stand tall and proud, and yes, I’m still sporting the blue balls, but little Louie runs by and it’s like my photoshopped picture was prophetic. He’s wearing a little black Speedo with a hole in the back for his tail to hang out. It’s enough of a comical sight to put the brakes on all my dirty thoughts.
Alexander smiles warmly at Cosette, and Vivienne clutches her daughter’s arm like she’s just able to breathe again now that she’s back in her presence.
“Alexander, I’d like for you to meet my daughter, Cosette. She is a rising star on my design team and has long held you in such high esteem. Cosette, this is Mr. Fontaine,” Vivienne says with a flourish. I’ve never seen her smile so big. And it only gets bigger when Jeremy steps into place beside her.
Alexander reaches out and takes Cosette’s hand, lifting it to his lips, and I have the same urge I had with Gus, to hold my hand out between them to keep the contact from happening. Only this time, I don’t act like a child and the effort to be an adult about someone touching Cosette makes me itchy.
Cosette smiles up at him, her cheeks flushed and her face all aglow like an angel. My heart pitter-patters and it is not the only one, if Alexander’s smile is any proof.
“It is my pleasure to meet you, Cosette.” And damn me, if his French accent doesn’t kind of make me swoon myself. “I admire the beautiful work I’ve seen of yours. When Mr. Toussaint told me it was your vision that captured his restaurant so beautifully, I knew I must meet you.”
Jeremy clears his throat and tries to cut in to say something, but Cosette jumps in. “It is an honor to meet you, Mr. Fontaine. I love your work,” she says.
“Please, call me Alexander.”
She smiles. “Alexander, I’d like to introduce you to Caden Taylor. He’s renovating The Lux, another project I’m working on, and it is going to be spectacular.”
“Thanks to Cosette here,” I add. I reach out to shake Alexander’s hand and I feel him sizing me up, possibly wondering what I am to Cosette. Should it bother me that she didn’t introduce me as her boyfriend? Nah. I’m here, aren’t I? “I’ve long admired your work,” I tell him.
“Thank you,” he says politely before turning back to Cosette. “I’d love to hear your thoughts behind some of the decisions you made—like the beautiful curtained-off booths in the back.” He holds his arm out and Cosette looks at me wide-eyed as she takes it and walks away.
Damn. That was smooth. And fuck him for taking my fake girlfriend right out from under me.
“Doesn’t feel so good, does it?” Jeremy says, as we watch the two of them walk away.
“Don’t compare our situations. They’re not even close.” I walk away before I say more than I should. The dickcaca is working my last nerve, and I have no patience for him.
There are a couple dozen people milling around, and it looks like a movie set. Mr. Dubois and Mr. Touissant are both stretched out on lawn chairs beside the pool, each donning some sort of colorful Hawaiian shirt. They both have cocktails and Jeremy’s father is talking a mile a minute, while Cosette’s father appears to be looking off in the opposite direction. Everyone else is drinking a cocktail in a fancy glass and looking too cool to get in the pool. I’m tempted to strip down and do a cannonball in the water … but there’s commotion near Vivienne that puts that on hold. I move a little closer to see if I can help. She’s trying to pick up Louie and he has something in his mouth and is headed right toward the pool.
Next thing I know, she’s shrieking, “My baby! Louie, no!”
And the little guy isn’t watching where he’s going with what looks like a big pork rib hanging out of his mouth. He goes sailing into the water and sputters.
“He can’t swim,” she cries. Even though Louie seems to be gathering strength, his dog-paddle instincts kicking in.
I kick off my shoes, ready to jump in, but what happens next is the most shocking. Vivienne Dubois goes flying into the water, hat, clothes, and shoes be damned, and is the one that comes up sputtering and not gathering strength. She goes under and I don’t hesitate.
I pull my shirt over my head and step out of my pants, glad I’d thought to wear my trunks underneath. I dive in and lift Vivienne out of the water, as she spits water in my face. While I’m at it, I gather Louie in close too, and drag them out of the water. Vivienne is huffing and puffing, her mascara running down her cheeks as she cries.
She’s still saying, “Louie, my baby,” so I’m not sure she even realizes her life was the one who seemed in the balance for a second or two. Louie licks me, the rib still floating in the water, and trots off before Vivienne can grab him. She cries harder.
“He’s okay. Good as new,” I assure her.
Her hat is wilted and dripping as I try to help her to her feet. It’s then that I notice the guests are staring at us in various levels of shock and dismay. And then I hear laughter starting to rumble. I turn around and see Mr. Dubois, head thrown back, laughing so hard he’s holding his chest. It takes a moment, but then Mr. Toussaint joins in. It’s the first time that Cosette’s father appears to even be engaged in what’s happening around him. Interesting. He doesn’t miss a beat to laugh when his wife looks like a drowned rat.
Vivienne squeaks and pushes my arm away, where I’m still making sure she’s steady on her feet. She has one heel on and one heel still in the water as she hobbles, up and down, up and down, toward the house.
Everyone else looks too terrified to move until she’s fully in the house and then there’s a collective sigh of relief and the scattered chuckles begin.
Cosette makes her way toward me, Alexander still by her side, and her eyes have doubled in size.
“I wish I had a video of that,” she manages to get out when she finally allows herself to laugh. “That memory will live on in my head forever.” She presses her hand to her mouth and her eyes are overflowing as she loses it again.
“Your poor mother,” Alexander says, chuckling. His laugh even sounds dignified, the bastard. “I hope she will join us again soon.”
“She’ll be back. She won’t want to miss the action.”
We all look over when we hear the sounds of Louie having his way with the stuffed giraffe. It’s something that’s hard to ignore and yet hard to look away from. I try to give him privacy as he’s finishing, but the little dude is really giving it his all. Cosette
moves toward him to try to distract him, but he has quite the finish and then trots over to me, Raffi hanging from his mouth.
Same as before, he drops the stuffed animal at my feet and looks up at me.
“Uh, you’re welcome?” I say. “If this is your thanks for saving your life, I think the full thanks should go to your mother.”
Cosette loses it again and Alexander stares between the two of us, looking perplexed. I may not be head of the design universe, but making Cosette laugh makes me feel like I’m the luckiest guy alive.
Things settle down after we’ve eaten. The drinks are flowing freely, but I’m keeping my intake to zip. Cosette and I are finally in the pool, and the last thing I need with her exposed skin in such close proximity is alcohol running through my veins. I feel drunk without it. Especially when she looks at me with that flirty expression in her eyes that I’ve been seeing more of lately. I can’t tell if I’m just wanting to see it so badly that I’m imagining it or if it’s really there. I’ve never been in this position before, so I feel unequipped to know. I need to ask Mya and Emma what their take is on Cosette and any feelings that might be stirring up. Honestly, I don’t let myself go there most of the time.
“What are you thinking about?” she asks, swimming toward me.
She gets so close that I put my hands on her waist under the water and she floats in even closer. Her legs wrap around my waist and I can’t remember what she asked me. This feels too good.
“Caden?” she asks, her voice all tease. “You okay?”
“What? Yeah.” I tighten my grip on her, and she gasps when my hands grasp her thighs. “We playing it up today?” I ask.
“I’m game for anything,” she whispers.
Things like that. She’s been saying things like that more often, where it could be perceived all kinds of ways. And the way I’m perceiving it is with me sliding her swimsuit to the side right now and impaling her with my cock. Pretty sure she didn’t mean that exactly, but—
Her eyes get wide when she feels how hard I am.
