Free I See London 1 by Chanel Cleeton Page A

out.”
    I gaped at her. “Are you joking?” Somehow I couldn’t see Samir begging anyone for anything.
    “Fleur’s not having the greatest day.”
    I rolled my eyes. “Let me guess, she maxed out her credit card? Or wait, her favorite manicurist was booked? Tragedy.” I’d been living with Fleur’s iciness for weeks now and I was sick of it.
    “It’s her birthday.”
    I paused. “What’s so bad about that?”
    “Her mom was supposed to come to London so they could spend it together. But she bailed at the last minute to go to some spa in Switzerland.”
    I couldn’t help the twinge of sympathy. There was nothing worse than being disappointed by your parents.
    Mya shrugged. “Fleur was all set to spend her birthday by herself, but Samir found out. I think this was his attempt to throw her a little party.”
    My gaze flew to Samir. A few girls stood next to him and Omar, one of them pressing a swift kiss to Samir’s cheek.
    “And he told you it was okay to invite me?”
    Mya shook her head. “It was his idea. He thought you would have fun.” She grinned. “He said something about you seeming tightly wound lately? An excess of pens in class or something.”
    I couldn’t help but laugh at that one. He still gave me shit about the first day. At least now I was down to two.
    “I don’t get why he invited me. She hates me.”
    “She doesn’t hate you. She just takes a bit to warm up to people. And I don’t think she has anyone else.”
    “She should be nicer, then.”
    “You’re right.” Mya hesitated. “But there’s more to Fleur than what you see. A lot more.”
    My look was skeptical at best.
    “I’m serious. I wasn’t popular in Switzerland. I was one of the only black girls and some of the girls were really snobby about me being from Nigeria. Fleur was one of the few that actually stood up for me. I’m not saying she’s sweet, but she’s not as bad as everyone makes her out to be. She has her good side. You just have to work to find it.”
    Maybe it was just me, then.
    The boys waved us over. The table had already filled up; four random girls sat crammed in around the guys.
    Fleur fisted her hands on her hips. “Samir. Move your friends.”
    Samir mumbled something that sounded unflattering but he moved the girls over, relocating one of the girls onto his lap. A waitress poured drinks for the table. By the time she finished, Samir and the girl were practically making out.
    I looked away.
    I didn’t know what to make of Samir. Mya’s story about Fleur’s birthday made him sound as if he was almost a decent guy. His man-whore side suggested otherwise. Sure he was young and single, but still. Why did there have to be so many girls?
    Mya nudged me. “Having fun yet?”
    I laughed. “Sorry, not so much.” There was a weird energy at the table tonight. Fleur was knocking back drinks, her expression hard. Samir hadn’t broken apart from his girl. Omar didn’t speak to anyone.
    Fleur leaned over to Mya. “I can’t deal with this.” She jerked her head toward the girls. “I hate when he does this.” Her gaze traveled over Samir’s little harem. “They’re just here for the free drinks and the table. It makes us look bad to be seen with them. Let’s go dance.”
    Mya groaned. “I’m not in the mood to dance tonight. Why don’t you find someone else?”
    Samir broke apart from the girl. His gaze met mine across the table. Something lurched in my chest as I hurried to look away, afraid he would see the confusion and inexperience reflected in my eyes. If I didn’t get up from the table soon, I was going to have to leave. This was beyond awkward.
    “I’ll dance with you,” I blurted out.
    Mya stared at me.
    Fleur looked surprised for a moment before she nodded. “Fine. Come on.” She grabbed my hand, pushing her way around the table. I followed behind her reluctantly. She stopped in front of a raised platform, on display for the whole club to see.
    “Up there?”
    She rolled