Emily picked up her drink, knocking the rest of it back. “I better go check on Gabby. She’s probably wondering where I went.”
“Okay.” Alex held the door open for her. “Can I get another dance before the night is over?” She asked over the music when they were back inside.
“Sure.” Emily caught Gabby’s eyes across the busy club, standing over by the bar. “See you later.”
Gabby smiled at her as Emily went over to her. “Emily Grayden. Wow. She’s…”
“Young?” Emily asked as she leaned back against the bar and watched the dancers move so fluidly to the music.
“Maybe, but I was going to say sexy.” Gabby bumped her shoulder. “Don’t give me that look. I’m not going to steal her on you.”
“Oh, I’m not worried about that. I saw you dancing with that guy.”
“Yeah. I think I might be leaving with him,” Gabby said with a nervous smile. “You don’t mind?”
“Not at all. You have a key, so come back whenever you want. Or don’t,” Emily added.
“I think I won’t. I wouldn’t want to interrupt whatever you’ve got—”
“I’ve got absolutely nothing going on. I’m not even going to ask her for her number.”
“What? Emily?” Gabby’s mouth fell open. “Why not? She’s fucking gorgeous!”
“Hm. She is, and I’m not really into that sort thing.”
“Hot women?”
“No. One night stands. I’m getting the impression that she might be a player. I don’t want to come back here next week and see her with someone else.”
Gabby shook her head. “You’re crazy. And I have no objections to such things.”
“I know you don’t. And I’m not judging, by the way. I just know I’ll regret it tomorrow. So, I think I’m going to go actually.”
“Now?”
Emily exhaled. “Yeah. I just got tired all of a sudden.” She wasn’t making up excuses. She really had. “Will you text me at some point and let me know you’re okay?”
“I will.” Gabby gave her a hug. “See you tomorrow.”
“Enjoy your night,” she said, throwing her best friend a wink. She’d miss her when she went back to Seattle in a few days.
Emily moved through the crowd, leaving the club without looking back. She’d had a great night, and she was just settling into her new home for the next year. She didn’t want to complicate that with a fling with Alex.
Emily knew she’d come back to the club again, and hopefully Alex would still dance with her even if Emily wasn’t interested in anything more. Because Alex was definitely interested.
Emily rarely knew when someone was interested in her. It was kind of a running joke with Gabby, long before Emily had met Melissa. That Emily never could tell when a waitress or a barista was flirting with her.
Well, Alex might not have outright said it, but her eyes gave her away. More than once, Emily had seen Alex check her out. In a completely tasteful way. And Emily could admit that it felt good to have someone give her that kind of attention again, especially after everything that happened with Melissa.
She only had a few weeks before she started her new job, and she wanted to make the most of it by exploring Miami and spending some time at the beach.
She didn’t want to get involved with anyone. Not yet. Not until she was settled in, and even then, there was always the fact that Emily had only signed a one-year lease and her job at the college was only for a year.
Emily would more than likely head back to Seattle, so there was no point getting involved with anyone. And that’s how Emily could walk out of that club without feeling like she was missing out on something.
4
Alex let another small wave go by as she sat on her surfboard, the sun warm on her skin as she bobbed up and down, turning to see if there was anything better coming.
