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“Well then, you should know better than anyone that living in fear and hiding from your problems is never going to help solve them,” she says, her expression growing serious before it’s overtaken by a broad smile. “So, let’s go out there and enjoy ourselves!”
I roll my eyes when she holds her hand out to me.
“Come on, Nay. Let’s let loose. Lose ourselves in the music and just enjoy the night.” I blink at her, registering the sincerity in her voice.
“Fine. But I need a drink first.” My head drops back onto my shoulders. “Or four.”
Selene drags me back out into the club and over to where Gunnar is sitting with all of our bags. Immediately, someone hands me a tumbler with my name on it filled with what tastes like sprite and raspberry vodka and I gulp it down.
My second tumbler goes down a bit slower, but after two drinks, I’m buzzed and starting to relax. Selene and some of the other girls drag me onto the dance floor and we lose ourselves in the music, surrounded by others. My voice goes hoarse with all of the screaming and singing we do, and slowly, I start to escape into the ethereal atmosphere that envelops us.
When I start to sway on my feet, either from the alcohol or exhaustion, I make my way over to the couches and plop down by our stuff.
I grab a water bottle from the cooler and down it in a few gulps before grabbing another. When I glance up, my gaze connects with Bex’s across the small space.
There’s something determined about her expression, which quickly flashes to another emotion which appears more distraught.
I knew the time would come when my reprieve would end.
Now is that moment.
I know she’s headed over here to talk with me. She has two cups in her hand and her focus is entirely on me. It feels like an eternity passes as she walks across the space slowly and deliberately, giving the butterflies in my stomach plenty of time to stir up a storm.
The attraction between us hasn’t diminished despite the passage of time and all the heartache of being apart. She’s still as beautiful as ever, and my heart races at the sight of her prowling toward me.
“Hey. Need a drink?” she asks, offering me one of the plastic cups in her hand.
I raise my water bottle. “Got one.”
“Right . . .” She tosses back both drinks, shaking off the burn of the alcohol as it goes down her throat before sitting in a chair across from me.
Neither of us say a word as we sit there quietly while the room around us buzzes with laughter and excitement.
Alvie pops up behind Bex’s shoulder, and I smile at his appearance, thankful that he came over too.
“You look beautiful tonight, Naomi,” Alvie says, breaking the silence between us and settling down beside Bex.
I blush. “Thank you.”
“How have you been?” he asks, glancing quickly to Bex before refocusing on me.
“Umm . . . honestly? Not great, but things are getting better.” I pause, gathering the courage to be vulnerable with these people who’ve hurt me. “I started seeing a therapist, which is going . . . alright, I guess.”
“That’s good to hear,” Bex responds carefully. “I’m glad that you’re talking to someone.”
“Yeah. Durante put me in touch with this counselor in his practice who actually went through the same program as I did.” I relax a bit. “It’s been really nice talking to someone who knows what and who I’m talking about.”
“We’re happy for you, Nay,” Alvie says.
“Thanks.”
I take a sip of water, and quiet settles between us as the chaos of the club swirls around us.
“I’ve missed you,” Bex says, almost too quiet to hear over the thrumming of the music pounding through the clubs’ speakers.
Sighing, I turn to fully face her. “I’ve miss y’all too.”
She reaches up to cup my face, and I can’t help but lean into her touch. Her thumb strokes over my cheek, and my eyes flutter closed as I relax into the feeling.
