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Chapter Seven
The rest of my day is blissfully normal. Well, normal by Silver Springs’ standards. I had a troll come in looking for a hair growth tonic. I did warn him that it was made for humans and that slight species side effects may involve uncontrollable hair growth everywhere, but he didn’t seem to mind. Seemed quite excited by the prospect actually. Then I had a run of tourists coming in to browse and buy some random bits. I gave two crystal healing treatments, some reiki, a runes reading, and several card pulls. It was such a busy afternoon, but that was just what I needed to take my mind off all the craziness of the morning.
It was only when I climbed into my cherry truck and saw the bags of dog stuff next to Batfink’s empty space that a hollow sort of emptiness settled in my chest. I miss the little furball. It sounds stupid because he was only there for one night, but I was really looking forward to having him around and not being at home alone anymore. I might seriously have to look into getting a dog; there’s no way I can go back to Calluna and tell her that I need a refund on all this stuff because my dog wasn’t actually a dog at all. I wonder if she realized? She knows everything there is to know about animals, and she said it wasn’t a dog. And there was that knowing little smirk she gave me as we left…
I sigh and let myself into my empty, lonely house. I get a faint whiff of...cologne?...and quickly light my favorite candles to disperse the smell.
I guess I have a date to get ready for. What does one wear to be apologized to by the men who changed and nearly ended your life? We’re going to Vee, so I guess I should make some sort of effort. I just don’t want them to think that I think it’s a date. It’s just apology drinks. In the hottest club in town. With the hottest guys in town. Damn.
I grab a quick snack and head upstairs to get ready. Surveying my options in dismay, I decide I really need to get a better wardrobe. It’s at times like these that being an only child sucks; if I had a twin or even just a sister, I could raid her closet. I pick up my phone, rattle off a quick SOS message in the group chat with my girlfriends, and go for a shower. Hopefully one of them at least will reply while I’m away.
Once out of the shower, I return to my room in my towel and check my phone for replies to my SOS message.
Me: Ladies, SOS! What the hell does one wear to apology drinks at Vee? X
Dahlia: Standard answer, Little Black Dress.
Calluna: Something slutty!
Buttercup: Whatever makes you feel sexy. Tease him while you make him work for that apology.
Me: Tease them. There’s two guys apologising. One tried to kill me, the other tried to trick me. Long story...
Buttercup: If you’re planning on accepting the apologies, make ‘em want it...bad! Show ‘em what they’re missing!
Lupine: Wear red! Draws the eyes.
Sapphire: Pajama pants and sweatshirt. If they really want you, they’ll think you look hot anyway.
Willow: Put the girls on display!
I chuckle and type out a quick reply.
Me: Thanks guys! So I’m wearing a low cut little black dress in red, with pajama pants under it and a baggy sweatshirt? Don’t know what I’d do without you all! x
I toss my phone on the bed, laughing, and decide I’m probably on my own with the fashion advice. I decide to just wear what I feel comfortable and nice in. I opt for a black off the shoulder dress with chiffon sleeves and flower embroidery. I pair it with my denim jacket and biker boots, but decide to go all out on my long dark hair, styling it into loose but voluminous curls that bounce when I move.
After that and a slick of lipgloss, I’m pretty much ready, so I sit down to read a little more of the naughty romance book. Every time I see the book, I cringe a little inside, but the awful cheesy cover aside, the story is actually very good. I settle back and enjoy…
***
“Shit! I’m gonna be late!” It feels like I’ve been reading for twenty minutes, but when I check the time, I realize I don’t have long to get across town to Vee. I race downstairs, grab my bag and fly out the door to my truck.
I manage to park close to the club, which is a bonus. I’m dead nervous, so I just kinda sit in the truck for a bit, refusing to get out. It’s stupid. What am I doing here? Why am I going for drinks with either of these guys? I don’t need apologies. I need a dog. A real dog. Ugh. This sucks.
I clamber out of my truck, lock up and head to Vee. There’s a new guy working on the door and as I join the line to get in—which thankfully isn’t too long—I can’t take my big brown eyes off him. He’s tall...like crazy tall. Who the hell am I kidding? I don’t give a shit about his height.
He’s built like a shit brick house. Damn it, I mean a brick shithouse. I can’t even think straight now. He’s that fucking hot. I mean tall. Ah, fuck me. Fuck it. What the fuck is wrong with me?
I have never been so strongly and instantly attracted to anyone in my life; and that’s saying something because I used to have such a strong crush on Patrick Swayze. New bouncer is 6’6, easy. Short shaved hair, stubble, and arms that could crush small chubby kids with ease.
Sometimes, you want the kind of sex that’s gonna leave you unable to walk. You want a man who can throw you around the room like a rag doll. Only, when I look at this guy, I worry that he’ll throw me through the wall rather than against it. And I’m okay with that. Very okay. Like, where do I sign up, okay.
“Evening, Miss…”
Oh god, am I at the front of the queue already?
“Jasmine,” I stutter, thinking that he’s pausing for me to supply my name.
