Ruined By My Brother's Best Friend (by Silverwriter) novel Chapter 22

With Another Woman

ARABELLA’S POV

“Parties are most definitely not my thing,” Sierra mumbled as she shifted uncomfortably on the booth beside me.

I chuckled softly. “Well, my thing right now is figuring out why the hell these booths are so uncomfortable. I mean, isn’t a VIP booth supposed to actually feel… VIP?”

She scoffed. “Tell me about it. Good thing it’s not my freaking birthday and I’m not the one paying, because, girl. I would’ve crashed out.”

I playfully slapped her arm. “You need to be quiet before Cassie hears you!”

We were here for Cassie’s birthday, one of the friends we’d made back at university. Cassie had always been a great friend and the three of us practically did everything together. Well… until Sierra broke up with her brother.

Yes, that’s where things got complicated. We’d met Cassie through her older brother, Fred, who had been Sierra’s boyfriend at the time. He introduced us to his sister, and we clicked instantly, becoming an inseparable trio. But after Sierra and Fred broke up, everything became awkward.

We still kept in touch every now and then, but we rarely saw each other anymore. That was until about two months ago, when Cassie suddenly called and invited us to celebrate her birthday.

“I’ll go get us some drinks,” William announced before standing up and heading toward the bar. A few moments later, he returned with a glass of whiskey for himself and two glasses of apple juice for Sierra and me.

We grabbed ours almost immediately. “Thank you,” I said. “I really needed something to take the edge off.”

“Me too,” Sierra agreed before taking a sip. “Time to get drunk.”

William chuckled. “You two are just as silly as I remember.”

I rolled my eyes. “Relax. You went on a work trip for a couple of weeks, not a couple of years.”

William had gone to New York on a work trip shortly after Archie’s engagement, so tonight was the first time we’d seen him since he returned. Cassie had invited him too, since we all moved in the same circle back in university.

“I don’t remember you being such a hater,” he said before ruffling my hair.

I giggled and swatted his hand away. Beside me, Sierra suddenly gripped my arm. “Uh… is the apple juice finally kicking in, or am I actually seeing Archie walking toward us?”

I frowned and followed her gaze. My pulse quickened as I spotted my brother weaving through the crowd toward our booth.

I swallowed nervously as he stopped in front of us, his gaze sweeping over the three of us. “Arabella.”

I bit my lip and flashed him a sheepish grin. “My sweet brother?”

He frowned. “Don’t try to butter me up. What are you doing here?”

I pouted. “You’re rude.”

Sierra waved enthusiastically. “Hi, Archie! You look hot.”

Archie raised an eyebrow. “Are you girls drunk?” He turned an accusing look toward William. “Why would you let them drink, man?”

I forced a cheerful smile and cupped his cheek. “I can’t say no to my baby brother.”

He laughed. “Your baby brother?” He reached up and ruffled my hair.

I frowned and slapped his hand away. “You and William should just buy wigs if you’re so jealous of my hair. The two of you keep messing it up.”

Archie laughed before pulling me to my feet. He turned toward Sierra immediately. “Come on, let’s go.” He then looked at William. “Oh.. and you too.”

I rolled my eyes, grabbed Sierra’s wrist, and followed behind Archie. Cassie was too busy dancing to notice us leaving, and 1 didn’t want to interrupt her. I’d come check on her later. “How did you know we were here?” I asked as we walked.

He shrugged. “Francesca came into this section to greet someone, but she was taking forever. When I couldn’t find her, I came looking… and that’s when I saw you.”

I nodded, deciding not to ask any more questions since Francesca was involved. Archie led us into another VIP section that was noticeably quieter and far more exclusive.

Beside me, Sierra scoffed. “We were definitely sitting in the budget/VIP”

I slapped her arm. “Girl, you’re impossible.”

“What?” she argued. “Am I wrong? Just look around! Even the booths look more comfortable.”

I bit back a laugh at the genuine frustration on her face as Archie led us toward a booth tucked away in the far corner. I was still smiling at something William had just said, but the smile disappeared the instant my eyes landed on Alvise.

He was seated in the booth and beside him sat a beautiful blonde woman, rubbing on his arm.