“Don’t scare her off too quickly,” Violet teases beside me.“She’s already stressed enough as it is.”
“Don’t worry, darlin’,” Jill says.“You see the bodyguard over there?”She points to the entrance.“Name’s Ray.”
“We met.”
“He’s nothin’ but a big ol’ sweetheart.He won’t let no one touch ya…without permission, anyways.‘Sides, you’re Lexie’s friends.And Lexie?She’s the owner’s niece.Ain’t nothin’ gonna happen without the owner’s approval.Promise.”
“Who’s the owner?”I ask.
The bartender hesitates.“I best be servin’ the other customers.If you need anythin’ else, holler.”
“Thanks, Jill!”Violet calls.
As Jill moves away, I turn back to the main area of The Body Shop in all its glory.It’s pretty crowded.Or maybe it’s always this way.
I squint in hopes of seeing through the dark ambiance as I take it all in.The tables.The booths.The customers.A half-naked waitress laughs and reaches for a man’s tie, tugging him to his feet.She leads him around the edge of the room before they both disappear behind a dark purple curtain.No, wait.I think it’s blue.Like a midnight blue.Or maybe it’s black?I’m not sure.It’s too dark to say for certain.They probably keep the lights low on purpose.Camouflage for all the seedy men who frequent places like this.Sure, there are a few women scattered around, too, but most are men so mesmerized by the show on stage, I wouldn’t be surprised if they kept their butts planted where they are, even if a tsunami hit.Honestly, the men are more interesting than the women.Not that I can’t appreciate a gorgeous woman and whatnot, but the men?Some look bored.Others look like they’re about to come in their pants.
My attention catches on a tall guy in a dark hoodie near the far wall.He keeps to the shadows.So much so, I almost wonder if he can even really see the girl dancing on stage.His phone lights up seconds later.It shines a light on his mouth and chiseled jaw, though thanks to the hood, the rest is left shadowed.My brows furrow as I watch him.
He almost looks…familiar?Square jaw.Thin upper lip.Skin that’s just on the lighter side of olive.I set my drink down and shift onto the edge of my barstool, trying to catch a better glimpse.Why is he so familiar?
Violet’s phone buzzes, distracting me.She pulls it out of her purse when mine does the same.
Curious, I unlock my cell and find a text from a ghost.
Ford
You should head home, June Bug.
Nowhe messages me?
“Did Jagger text you, too?”Violet asks.She wiggles her phone back and forth.“He must’ve checked my location and found out I was in The Drift.”
My phone buzzes again.
Ford
Really like the top, though.
What?
My pulse skips.I look down at my outfit, then take in the rest of the vicinity.How in the world does Ford know what I’m wearing?He isn’t here, is he?There’s no way.If he was, he would come over and say hi, wouldn’t he?Then again, considering the lack of communication since the last time we saw each other, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility for him to maintain said distance.But if that was his goal, why text me at all?He could be lying.Obviously, I’m wearing a top, so it’s not exactly a stretch for him to take a shot in the dark and compliment me on wearing one.But the fact that the top in question showcases my boobs, makes me feel a little like I’m a chubby Sydney Sweeney,andwould drive a guy like Ford insane if he saw me in it?Yeah, he probably would like my top.I bite my bottom lip and look around one more time.“Do you think they’re…here?”I ask.
With a frown, Violet looks up from her phone.“Who?Jagger?”
And Ford, I silently add.Glancing down at my phone again, I reread his message as Violet peers at my screen.
“Ford?”she questions aloud.“No freaking way.”Her nose returns to her own cell, and her fingers fly across the screen.
As I search for the familiar jawline connected to the hidden figure across the club, Jill sets down another pair of drinks and clears our empty glasses.
My phone buzzes again.
Ford
You’re going to blow my brother’s cover if you keep staring at him.
My head snaps up, and my gaze locks on the man in question.The one in the dark hoodie.The one lying low.“Is that…Hawke?”I whisper.
