AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The bouncer eyes us up and down, nods, and swings open the door. We step into a large room filled with flashing lights and thumping music. People are dancing and drinking, and I feel like we’ve stepped into another world entirely.
“Come on,” Minny says, grabbing my hand and leading me toward the bar. “Let’s get a drink.”
We order something fruity and alcoholic, and I take a sip, feeling a buzz starting to set in. I can barely hear myself think over the thumping music, and the room is beginning to spin. Minny leads me onto the dance floor, and we dance and laugh, allowing the music to take over. The stress leaves my body with every shimmy and shake of my hips.
“Let’s go get another round,” Minny says loudly against the music before grabbing my hand and leading me to the bar.
“I think I need some water,” I admit. The room is spinning a little too much for my liking. Drinking has never been my forte. I like the occasional glass of wine but never drink any more than that. The two cocktails are already hitting me hard.
There’s a huge crowd around the bar, but Minny manages to squeeze us to the front. A group of men sit engaged in conversation next to us. Their gazes swivel to us as Minny shoves me onto the barstool next to them, nodding in their direction.
“Hey, ladies,” a deep voice says beside me, and I turn to see a tall, dark-haired man with piercing blue eyes.
“Hey there, handsome,” Minny smoothly answers.
“You ladies look like you know how to have fun,” the man says, grinning at us. I feel a flutter in my stomach at his attention, and I can’t help but smile at him.
“We do,” Minny replies.
The man turns to me, his eyes roaming over my body. “And what about you, gorgeous? Are you having fun?”
I nod, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. Maybe it’s the alcohol, but I barely answer. The room is almost moving in slow motion around me. “Yeah, I am.”
He leans in closer, his hot breath fanning my ear. “Can I buy you a drink?”
“Yes, you can,” Minny answers for me with a wink.
I feel a little uncomfortable, but Minny doesn’t seem to mind. She’s enjoying the attention just as much as I am. The man orders another round of drinks, and we chat for a while, laughing and flirting. He’s charming and confident.
The bartender slides four drinks down in front of us. Minny tips hers back and takes mine when I offer it to her.
“You okay?” she mouths to me.
I nod.
“Another round,” he orders the bartender before he leans in closer. His body is nearly on top of mine now. The heavy notes of musk from his cologne waft over me. “You guys want to come with me to the VIP section?” he asks. “I have a table reserved.” He points, drawing our attention to the roped-off section opposite the dance floor.
“I don’t know,” I hesitate.
Minny’s gaze shifts to mine. “Why not?”
“How about this?” the handsome man offers, shifting off his barstool. His body is so close to mine that I suck in a breath. He notices but doesn’t say a word. “I’ll go check to make sure my table is ready, and while I’m gone, you two can decide if you’d like to join my friends and me.”
“That sounds great,” Minny answers. He nods to his friends, who follow him to the VIP section. We watch as he stops to talk to the bouncer.
“Why are you hesitating? He’s into you.”
“We barely know him.”
“Honey, it’s Vegas. This kind of stuff happens every single day. People come here to let loose and indulge in their fantasies. If I were single, I’d have dragged him off to the nearest bathroom already.”
“I’m not brave like you,” I slur. My speech is slower and more drawn out.
Minny grabs my hand, “Look at me, Charlie. You’re in a city where it’s okay to be whoever you want to be and do whatever you want to do. You have the chance to make memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t waste it by being afraid.”
I chew on my bottom lip, mulling over her words. The brain fog is only getting worse. Minny reaches behind me, grabs my drink from earlier, and hands it to me.
“Liquid courage.” She smiles.
