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Multiple things at once started firing through my brain. First and foremost, I was relieved that Emma was feeling good enough to come out, mentally, physically, emotionally, and otherwise. The thrill I got, the longing to be with her that ran through my body at knowing I’d soon see her, consumed me. But, I couldn’t ignore the other things I was feeling. I was jealous that Dante knew what Emma was doing and I didn’t, I was angry at myself for not reaching out to her myself sooner in the week, and I was trying to read into the fact that she was coming to the event, knowing it was being thrown for me too.
“Yeah,” I told Dante. “I thought I arrived late enough, but not fashionably late enough for them.”
Dante wandered off, ordering a drink from one of the bartenders and then took a seat, pulling out his phone. Dante was a big sports guy, always a score to check, a game to catch. That wasn’t me, another thing that kept us from bonding fully.
I checked my watch, the one thing I splurged on since I hit a billion, and said I’d give Emma and Krista fifteen more minutes, and then I was bailing.
“Kyle? Kye Beckford is that you?” a familiar feminine voice asked from outside of my secluded section.
Just on the other side of the velvet ropes was Jennifer, my ex from hell. I wasn’t one of those men who hated all his exes. In fact, I had very few, and out of the few I had, I never had strong enough feelings for them to harbor resentment our relationship ended after the fact. But, Jennifer was the exception, if not the reason I was hesitant to make commitments in the present.
“Hi, Jenn,” I said, keeping my tone and face impassive.
“Jennifer,” she corrected, with a flip of her long black her.
“Right,” I said with a tight smile.
She must not have minded the slip with remembering her preferred name because the next thing I knew she was approaching my section. The bouncer looked to me to confirm her entry and I gave him a subtle nod, even though I didn’t want to let her in, and Jennifer sauntered up to me, bright pink drink in hand.
“Long time no see,” she said, sitting almost on top of me despite the numerous empty seats.
“Yep,” I answered, not sure what else to say. The last time I saw Jenn, she was throwing a fit because I didn’t automatically say yes to moving in together when she told me she was being kicked out of her apartment. “What brought you to the West Coast?” I asked.
“This club. You know I’m always looking for a good time and this place is the place to have a good time.” She smiled and tossed her dark hair from side to side and then placing a hand on my knee. “You know, I read all about you and your latest property acquisition in Forbes. Pretty impressive.”
Jenn’s knowledge of real estate was what initially connected us. Then I found out her interest was more in finding a man who was working in real estate.
“Thank you,” I said.
“Wait,” Jenn said dramatically. “Oh-M-Gee! Is this your birthday celebration?” she asked.
“It’s more for my twin, Krista. But, yes,” I said, trying to pry her fingers from my thigh.
“Hello, brother,” Krista said, appearing out of nowhere.
One minute, Dante and I were alone in our section, the next, Jenn, Krista, Emma, and about ten or so of their friends were surrounding me.
I stood, finally shaking Jenn off. “Glad you could make it,” I told her. Then, despite not wanting to, I locked eyes with Emma.
She looked so good it hurt, wearing a sky blue dress that matched her eyes perfectly. Her blond hair flowed down to her shoulders and just kissed the exposed skin. Her dress was tight, showing her breasts and thighs in a way no other outfit I had ever seen her in did. My dick twitched knowing exactly what she looked like under those clothes.
“Emma,” I said, not giving anything away. “Glad you could make it out tonight.” I meant it sincerely, but the harsh look that crossed her face told me she took it otherwise.
“Thanks.” She folded her arms over her chest. “Don’t let me interrupt you and your date.”
“So sweet, doll,” Jenn called after Emma as she walked away.
I followed her, out of the velvet ropes and back toward the entrance. I couldn’t let her leave.
“Where the hell are you going?” I asked.
“I knew it was a mistake to come here,” she yelled over the music. “I—” the beat dropped, and I couldn’t hear whatever she said next.
Instead, I took her hand and led her back toward where we came from. I reached into my wallet, took out a few hundreds, and waved them in front of the bouncer at our secluded section.
“Is there anywhere private we can go and talk?” I asked the young, muscled man.
Without saying a word, he palmed the money and then nodded to follow him. He took us past the bathrooms and down a long hallway, then into a room that looked like a manager’s office. There was a desk, a couch, and not much else, but it was private and quiet.
