Page 88 of Fangs with Benefits

Molly: I just learned he’s never been to a CLUB, like the man has never gone CLUBBING

Devi: why are we discovering things about Elijah at 9.45 p.m. on a Thursday?

Devi: Molly?

Molly: No comment.

Devi: OMFG I KNEW YOU WERE SEEING EACH OTHER, WHY DON’T YOU TELL ME THINGS

Molly: Can you plan a club night or not?

Devi: Because I am a nice person, yes I will plan a club night. Saturday?

Molly: yep!

Devi: I expect you’ll tell me everything tomorrow and leave out no details

Molly: no comment!!

Chapter 30

Molly

The club we end up at is one that Devi’s dragged me to before. I don’t love going out but Devi forced my hand on her birthday the last couple of years, and I can admit I begrudgingly had a good time. I felt like it was an essential human experience for a millennial living in New York City, though, and while Elijah claims that vampire parties sound not so dissimilar to human clubs, I still think he needs to see it first-hand.

Elijah picks me up from my house to take the train with me and my mouth goes dry looking at him in black pants with a matching black button-up. No baseball hat. He looks hot as hell, the kind of hot that has people staring at him on the train, probably wondering what kind of famous he is to be looking like he does. I look hot, too, for the record. I’m wearing a navy dress that hugs my curves and has a long slit up the side. I also broke out my old pair of black cowboy boots. My hair is half up, the top half tied using a bow that’s the same colour as the dress. Elijah has picked up the ends of my hair three times already, running his fingers through the strands as he stares at them.

Devi, her roommates, and, for some reason, Kenneth are already there when we arrive. I invited Hailey, too, and she chats with Devi. They both squeal when they see us, pulling me into a tight hug.

‘You look so hot, this eye shadow is insane on you!’ Hailey pinches my cheeks lightly. ‘You’re the coworker?’ she asks Elijah.

I can tell some pre-gaming has been done.

‘Yes, and you’re the best friend,’ Elijah says, smooth as usual. She beams and pulls him in for a hug, too.

‘Bro, how have you never clubbed when you look like this?’ Devi asks.

‘Like Molly says, he grew up Irish,’ Kenneth says.

‘Amish,’ I correct.

‘Right.’ Kenneth sips on a bright blue drink. Something fruity with a shitload of alcohol, I’m sure. ‘Can I get you two a shot?’

‘He doesn’t drink,’ I tell him.

‘That’s okay! I’ll get you a soda.’ Devi drags Kenneth with her to retrieve the drinks.

Devi’s roommates ask Elijah questions I have a hard time hearing over the music while we wait. As soon as the shots are brought back to the table, we down them at the same time before I let Hailey and Devi pull me to the floor. Hailey and I used to party, not frequently, but sometimes to celebrate a hard semester or any other grad school-related accomplishment.

The three of us dance and jump together, arms in the air while we shout the words to the Black Eyed Peas remix thrumming through the club. It’s loud and hot and a line of sweat is already sliding down my back, but Elijah is looking at me like I’m the best thing he’s ever witnessed, and his attention does more than the shots did to loosen me up.

Three songs in, a pair of cold hands touch my shoulders and I smile, knowing without looking that it’s Elijah behind me. I’ve learned his touch, his scent, his hands, his body, and I don’t hesitate before leaning backwards against his front and swaying with him, his hands holding my hips.

‘You’re a good dancer,’ Elijah says into my ear. He spins me so we’re facing each other, and my arms fall around his neck while we move to the beat. I don’t know if it’s the alcohol or his otherworldly charm, but I don’t give a shit if our friends see us dancing together.

Well, maybe I give a little bit of a shit. One single shit given, because I know I’ll have to explain tomorrow to Devi that there’s nothing going on between us beyond a sort of temporary situationship that we both know leads nowhere.

For now, though, pop club remixes play through speakers and I sing along, letting Elijah pull me closer to him, my middle firmly against his while he looks down at me. It’s pure fun dancing with him like this, and he’s looking at me like I contain a whole universe in my eyes.