“I try to be prepared for anything.” No one tells Chloe that the Met Gala happens in May or that movie premieres usually happen in LA.
Alex and I share a look.
“She wants to meet Leonardo DiCaprio,” I stage-whisper.
Alex pretends to gag. “Ew, why?”
Chloe rolls her eyes. “Because I’m in his age bracket, duh.”
I didn’t think Alex could look any more grossed out, but she proves me wrong, and this time pretends to throw up. “Double ew. What iswrongwith you?”
Chloe sighs and looks back out the window. “So much.”
The car comes to a stop in front of a nondescript building with a small line already forming out front. Everyone is wearing something different, some in typical club attire: short skirts and high heels. And others in everyday type clothing: baggy jeans, tank tops, and sneakers.
“It’s casual. No celebrities.Definitelyno Leo.” She glares at Chloe. “What you’re both wearing is fine. Just like I told you back in my room.”
Once the ride is paid for and we pile out of the back seat, a sign written in neon block letters gives Alex’s surprise away. I’m positively elated. Chloe, on the other hand…
“An eighties club?”
“Anerasclub. Current music on the main floor, then you’ve got two thousands on the second and eighties and nineties on the top. Surprise.”
I squeal with delight. Chloe throws her head back and groans.
When the bouncer gives Alex an acknowledging nod and lets us in, along with stamps that indicate we’re old enough to drink, I give her a questioning look. She whispers that the bouncer is Trinity’s friend, Rafi, and to play it cool.
“This is amazing,” I say when we walk through the doors.
“This is my nightmare,” Chloe grumbles behind us. “Why did I decide to come again?”
The music gets louder once we pass through the second set of doors, and Alex leads us up the stairs. A rap song I’ve never heard before fades from the first floor to the next, which is currently blasting Bruno Mars, and finally, we reach the top floor. It isn’t as crowded up here, and the space is noticeably smaller, but I love it. Plus, the Spice Girls are playing, which is a great sign.
Alex doesn’t stop moving. She leads us along the edge and to the bar on the other side of the room, stopping at quite possibly the most attractive person in this entire building.
Who proceeds to pull Alex into a searing kiss.
My stomach twists unpleasantly. I get the sense that Alex hasn’t been honest. That Trinity isn’t just some casual girl she’s been seeing. That she’s clearly something more.
When they pull apart, Alex clears her throat and swipes her thumb across the lipstick now printed on her lips. “This is Trinity. Trin, these are my friends, Julia and Chloe.”
Trinity holds out her hand and looks at me with a smile. “Hi, it’s really nice to finally meet you.”
I try to match her enthusiasm. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”
Chloe openly checks her out when it’s her turn to shake her hand. “Wow, how’d Alex convinceyouto dateher?”
Trinity laughs. It’s melodic and whimsical. I kind of hate it.
“It was the other way around, actually.” She motions to the bar behind her. “May I buy you both a drink?”
“I’ll just have what you’re having.” Chloe says, and I ask for water, not sure I’m ready to mix alcohol and the forced proximity of Alex and Trinityandthe knowledge that they may actually be girlfriends and not just “casually seeing each other.”
“Does she have a single brother?” Chloe asks the second Trinity turns to motion for the bartender.
Alex rolls her eyes. “No, andpleasedon’t be weird.”
Once we have our drinks, Alex orders some sort of local craft beer, and we snag a small stand-up table near the back where it’s marginally quieter. Alex takes her spot by Trinity’s side and slips her arm around her waist.
