Emily's POV

"What do you think?" Holly asks as she twirls around in her dress. It's gold with sparkly diamonds and in the style of the traditional cocktail dress. It helps lift the glow from her tanned skin and blonde hair, her overall look becoming completely flawless. As amazing as she looks, I can't help but feel jealous.

"He's going to love it.." I sigh as I gaze down to her chest where I must admit, it does compliment her well in that area.

"I know." Holly grins and she does a flirtatious pout in the mirror. Holly's been confident for as long as I have known her. Through school she was always over keen with the guys, out of her league or not, she'd still approach them. With different boyfriends different days of the week, I could never keep up with her. Course being her friend automatically attracted attention to myself, at first I hated it but now I don't mind it.

"What time is he picking you up?" I ask as she turns around and looks at me.

"In ten or so minutes." She says and I nod whilst looking away. I know how much she has been looking forward to their date tonight, she's liked Louis for a while.

It all happened one day when she saw him at his work, he instantly stood out to her and she wouldn't let him out of her mind. Then somehow fate brought them together on the night we met him, I instantly clicked with him.

It was never meant to get like this, Louis was never supposed to be in our lives. But Holly is like a hawk and she doesn't ever let anything out of her sight and when she thinks she has found someone right, she'll practically hunt them down. That's where we are different, I have the more casual approach, treat them mean keep them keen, so they say. But as much as Holly keeps trying, it's me who Louis ends up texting.

Sometimes I can't help but smile at how excited he can sound in a text. He's got such a bad boy look about him, I'd never imagine him to be a softie at heart. Partly that helps me sink lower into him, I can't seem to get up and move away. That's why at first I was drawn to him, thinking he'd be a hard one to crack. He may still be, but I'm so surprised at his words and efforts.

"He's here." Holly says and she smiles at me. "Don't wait up." She winks as she opens the door. I walk to the window, not saying a word as I watch her leave. I can vaguely see Louis in the driver's seat, he is looking at Holly but turns away as soon as she gets in.

I can't believe how serious she is taking this, it was only supposed to be one night. But Holly wanted to up the game a little, to test Louis' heart. She had to think fast when he asked me for my number, her plan was completely falling apart.
But she was right and she read him well, Louis found her number and that's what has led them to their current date. She reads people easy and knows how to be the expert in this. I however, never usually do this; it's all completely new to me.

I look aimlessly around the flat trying think what to do with myself. It's awfully quiet when Holly is ever out, she usually keep me on my toes with doing something.

I go to stand as I know the bathroom could really use a deep clean, but my phone vibrates and I put that thought on hold. It's from Louis,

I'm telling Holly the truth, she needs to know that I'm only involved with her because she links me to you. Xx

My heart falls down further and further as I read his text once more. He's serious, he's actually serious and I had no idea. Maybe I have been a bit naive with Louis, he's tried to explain this to me but I couldn't believe him. It's far too mad, no one would make such efforts for someone they don't even know.

I've been trying my hardest to forget about him from the other night, the way he had me completely under his spell. My heart was thumping uncontrollable at his touch, the way he forcefully enclosed me and moved his position closer to me. His hot breath tickled my skin, I still get flustered just by remembering it.

I haven't text him back! He can't tell Holly, not only will things get heated between us; it will mentally screw her head up. She's adamant to win and to gain her prize. Holly is clever, she will know how to get him and to keep him. If I want him at all, I really need to try harder.

Be careful, she's not the easiest to brush off Louis. Xx

I should never have agreed for Holly to bring Louis into this. I should have guided her away from him, no outcome can be easy as this is going to get so messy.

---

Louis' POV

I wander down the list of cocktails as I try to find a drink, but I'm not paying any attention to the words, I'm too busy planning on what I'm going to say.
Holly has put alot of effort into tonight, I can't deny how great she looks but it doesn't make me feel any different. I look at her as she gently bites her lip as scans the menu.

"Any idea?" I ask and she looks up at me, a small smile appears on her lips as she places her menu down on the table.

"I'm thinking a 'screaming orgasm' please." Holly says as she looks at me with a slight seductive expression forming into her pout. I smirk as I look away slowly shaking my head at her confidence.

"What are you having?" Holly asks and suddenly one of the girls walks over to us. I don't think they usually take our orders from the table but I go along with it as soon as she asks what we would like.

"One sex on the beach and a screaming orgasm please." I say and I can't help but smile as the girl tries not to laugh, she nods and takes our order back to the bar.

"I'm sure that can be arranged Louis." Holly says jokingly and I look at her raising my eyebrows. "We just need to find a beach." She smirks and I look away awkwardly

"Okay Holly, there's something I need to tell you." I say as I rub the back of my head, she leans forward and gently presses a finger to my mouth.

"Don't speak, just embrace this moment we have together Louis." Holly says and I look at her in disbelief. "I know you feel the same and I know our chemistry is magical." She smiles as she let's her finger fall. "I feel the same as you."

Shit, what do I do? She's convinced I'm in this the exact same way she is. But I can't keep leading her on.

"I'm not in this for you. I'm not in this for me either." I frown as I look back at her as she falls back into her seat, I pause at the previous girl brings over our drinks. I thank her as she places my drink down infront of me. Once she walks away I continue as Holly sips her drink.

"The thing is I've completely gone the wrong way that I intended to go. I was never meant to bring you into this and I never thought I'd be caught up in this sort of dilemma." I start and Holly doesn't move.

"Louis, I have no idea what you're saying, but all I can say is don't stress. I'm cool with the fact you may not like me as much as I like you. I'm fine with admitting the truth, but I know you can like me, it takes time. Trust me." Holly says with a confident smile. I wasn't expecting this, I've never met someone so persistent no matter what I have said.

"But I may not like you the same way, it may not take any time. I have completely misled you, I'm such an arse for doing this to you." I sigh as I look away.

"Don't be so worried, it's Emily, I get that. But I'm not a coward to give up." Her words shock me sending me into speechless mode. Holly has confused me before but tonight, I'm more confused than ever.

"So you know I like Emily?" I ask and Holly smirks.

"Is that an appropriate question?" Holly asks and I frown.

"No, it's very appropriate." I snap as I look at her. She can't seem to keep the smile off her face.

"Hardly Louis, Emily doesn't show anything. I've shown enough. We never appreciate what we have, until it is gone." Holly adds and I grip tightly on my glass.

"I have no idea what you're on about Holly, but I like Emily. I couldn't get hold of her and I used you okay?" I snap and Holly rolls her eyes.

"Well maybe you are more alike than I thought." Holly sighs as she sips some more of her drink. Her words linger unwantedly in my head.

"What do you mean?" I ask and Holly shakes her head.

"Ask Emily. But all I know is you're a fool Louis, to use me to get to my friend. You have no idea what you could have done. I'm real, this is real but you fall for false hope. " She says as she finishes her drink.

"You're not making any sense.." I panic as she stands up. She smirks and softly leans in and kisses my cheek.

"You need some time. I'm not the bad one here." Holly whispers in my ear and I try to stop her leaving but she doesn't listen. I quickly pay for the drinks at the bar and I run outside, Holly is no where to be seen.
What had she meant? Now I need her more than ever as my head is completely numb.

Notes

Hi Everyone!
Hope you're all okay and well.
Sorry I took so long to update, but here it is!
So what do you all think I so far? What do you think Holly is up to? Or Emily?
Please share your thoughts :)
Thank you to all readers and new readers for joining me on this story !