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We arrive at the hotel, and I unpack while Leah fixes her hair in the mirror, tousling her dark brown waves into the perfect places.She carries an aura of elegance around with her, and I’ve never quite mastered her secret. But I doubt I have the assets to achieve it even if I tried. She has curves in all the right places, contrasting my “flat-as-a-board” physique.
She dabs on ruby red lipstick as I study my own face in the mirror. Long eyelashes frame my stale brown eyes. My features are soft and smooth, yet I find them mousy. I’ve never liked that about myself. I’ve been told I look younger than I am.
I run my fingers through my long, curly, copper-red hair, trying to will the same volume into it as Leah so easily has hers. But the volume doesn’t have the same effect. Frizzy would be the more appropriate term. I look like a fourteen-year-old, but I purse my lips and decide this is as good as it is going to get.
Leah studies me for a moment. “Can I do your makeup?”
I take a deep breath, knowing what this means. “Fine. Just don’t go overboard.”
“Never,” she gasps, feigning shock.
I laugh and roll my eyes. Leah knows how to overdo things. She’ll buy the fancy espresso while I get the house black. She’ll order a limo when I’ll settle for the subway. She can slip an innuendo into conversation with an eager man and still appear classy. We are different that way. I like to think of myself as feisty yet reserved. Leah is just feisty.
An hour later, it’s almost eleven pm, and we’re both dressed and ready to go. Leah is wearing a fiery red dress to match her lipstick. It's skin-tight, and the neckline is cut low. Her heels are just as tall as mine, so she still towers over my barely 5’2” frame.
We eventually decided to pull my unruly waves up into a low bun, and I wear a black dress that hugs me closely, almost giving me the curves that I don’t have. The top of the dress is finished off with long, sheer lace sleeves, and the hem falls just above my knees.
Wearing this dress feels like wearing another costume, like I am playing the part of a flirtatious young woman who frequently spends her time interacting with equally flirtatious young men at fancy bars and nightclubs.
I can play a character. That’s not difficult. The hard part will be trying to enjoy some of it as myself.
TWO
Kai
“You need another drink, Kai.”
Drew seems dead set on getting me drunk tonight, and the only reason I can sort out is that he wants to get drunk and needs to drag someone down with him.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been in his shoes before. It’s no fun to drink alone. But drinking with Drew doesn’t sound particularly enticing. I met him literally three hours ago at a networking dinner in Manhattan, and ever since, he’s been stuck to me like glue.
You would have thought I’d be the one stuck to him. He’s the experienced actor with multiple Tony awards. He landed his first big Broadway role over ten years ago when he was just thirteen. My feet are barely wet in the industry. I’ve spent most of my short career so far on the professional stage in Chicago. I’m holding my own there, making a name for myself in the windy city, but Broadway is where I want to be, and I’ve been working my tail off to save up enough to finally make the move.
It feels like my big break might be coming soon, and with Drew attached to me tonight, I’m starting to wonder if he sees something in me too. But I’m quickly finding out that Drew is primarily interested in appearances. It’s clear that I’m his wingman tonight, and while I should be flattered that he’s chosen me, there’s something entirely ingenuine about the whole evening.
I lean across the bar and signal the bartender for another drink. Then I turn back to Drew, who’s consuming his glass of beer liberally.
“Is this your first time in Long Island?” he asks me, brushing his tousled blonde hair from his eyes.
“First time in Long Island. But I’m quite familiar with the city,” I reply.
Drew smirks. “Ah, so you know how these nights play out.”
The corner of my mouth twitches up as I take a sip of my whiskey, remembering the last time I was here in New York. Oh, I am quite familiar with the nightlife in the city. Parties like this one tend to breed the types of women who are looking for connections in the industry. And if they think you might be able to pull some strings, then your evening is bound to turn out well.
I assume Drew has no problem in that area, considering his fame. But even I tend to score well. Last time I visited, just a few months back, I met a fit young blonde, and we ended up spending quite a bit of time together that week. She didn’t want anything serious. She just craved a bit of fun, and that’s all I had the time for too.
“Ahhh…so you do know.” Drew winks, apparently reading my thoughts. “They don’t need all the strings here. They move quick and there’s no attachment. They don’t expect you to call them after. And they’re all so thin and tight.” He takes a breath and blinks slowly, clearly picturing the same image that’s in my mind. “Plus, most of them are begging for fame, and they’ll do anything to get it. Anything.” He winks at me and leans back against the bar, downing the rest of his beer in a long swig. “It’s my kind of scene, man, I’m tellin’ ya.”
I look around the restaurant-turned-nightclub. It’s an oceanfront venue, and the large glass doors have been swung open completely to reveal an expansive deck that looks over the water. The entire place is pretty packed, and I gaze at the many, many beautiful women who mingle around us. Drew is right. Things are unique here in New York, especially near the beach. There are different priorities and different mindsets. Many of the women here would probably agree to join me back in my hotel room without a second thought. It's something I unapologetically have taken advantage of many times on nights like this one. It’s nice to have my pick of the room.
“So, you’re looking to get lucky tonight then?” I eye him with a grin.
“Absolutely,” he replies. “My vacation begins tomorrow, and I’d like to start it off with a bang.”
I smirk slightly at his wordplay and set my glass down while I continue to study the room.
Drew leans in slightly. “What about you? You’re not leaving alone tonight, are you?”
