AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You too, Lessa.” She waves and jogs to her car.
Inserting the key in the dead bolt, I lock up then dash up the stairs to my apartment. Unlocking the door, I slip inside, drop my purse on the table and shuffle to my bedroom. I strip out of my work clothes, twist my hair up in a bun, and jump in the shower to wash the day away.
Towel secured around my torso, I head for the closet in search of clothes for girls’ night. I tug a red top from its hanger and snag the black denim pants from the shelf, tossing both on the bed. Sifting through the top drawer of my dresser, a wicked smile stretches my cheeks when I pick up my favorite black thong and matching bra.
This is what I need.
Maybe wearing the racy undergarments will boost my chances tonight in the club. Maybe I will walk out of Black Silk with a new distraction. Someone to steal my incessant thoughts of Braydon, even if just for an hour. The sixteen-hour shifts I’ve pulled the last three days haven’t done the trick. Every free second I have to breathe, there he is… taking over my brain like some alien invasion.
Yesterday, I spotted him across the street and a little ways down the block. He hovered near the florist shop, barely visible behind the evergreen near the street. I chatted with customers, pretending I didn’t see him.
But I saw him the entire time. Counted quietly to myself as he watched me from a distance. Peeked up from under my lashes but kept my head downcast and watched as he wandered back in the direction of the B&B.
Avoiding Braydon hasn’t been too difficult since our bumping into each other at the Sweet Spot Bakery. I simply stayed within the confines of Java and Teas Me and my humble apartment above the shop. Not that I’d had anywhere else to be.
Tonight, though… I am going out. And when the girls and I make our way upstairs after dinner, I plan to find a better distraction on the dance floor. Hopefully one that will distract meoffthe dance floor as well.
Dressed, I shuffle back into the bathroom. I hang the towel on the bar then step up to the vanity. Leaning in, I survey the dark half-moons beneath my eyes.
“Definitely need to cover that up,” I mumble as I swipe up the foundation and get to work.
Several layers of makeup later, I sift through the few lip products I own and select the one that will surely garner me some attention. Spitfire Red. Twisting up the tube, I roll the pigment over my lips and feel the energy boost I need surge through my veins. I undo my bun, brush the tangles from my hair, and opt to leave it down for the evening.
With one last glance in the mirror, a jittery energy lifts my spirits. As I shoulder my purse and head for my car, my mantra repeats in my head.
No romance. Just fun.
After we settle the bill, Mags, Lena and I make the trek upstairs to Black Silk’s nightclub. As the walls transition from charcoal to that deep red, a shot of thrill hits my bloodstream.
Feels like weeks have passed since I’ve relaxed. Since I’ve let go of stress and worry and had quality me time.
Tonight, I plan to do exactly that… let go.
The bouncer steps aside and grants us entry. “Enjoy your evening, ladies.”
We weave through the crowd and tables, Mags surveying the room for Geoff. The moment she spots him, she reaches for my hand and tugs me forward. After a jolt, I manage to take Lena’s hand in my other and tow her along.
“You’d think she hadn’t seen him for months,” Lena shouts over the music.
Coming to an abrupt halt, Mags drops my hand and goes right to Geoff, plops on the leather couch beside him, and kisses him with more PDA than I have ever seen from her. Neither Lena nor I move as we watch the most reticent person we know act without restraint.
“Yeah… can’t say I know this Mags.”
I tug Lena toward a vacant couch and sit. Geoff and Mags are to our right, while Logan and Owen sit on the couch across from us. A woman is on Logan’s left and Owen casually sips his whiskey. I lift a hand and wave.
“Hey, guys.” I tip my head in Logan’s direction. “Having fun already, I see.”
Logan lifts his beer bottle in cheers. “Absolutely.”
I twist in my seat to face Lena. “Want to dance?”
She shakes her head. “Not yet. A little more wine first.”
Pushing out my bottom lip, I give her my best pout. “Fine,” I huff out. “Order me one?” She nods. “Thank you.” I kiss her temple and rise from the couch. “I’ll warm up the dance floor.”
As I weave through the crowd, Lena says something I don’t hear. I lift my arms over my head as I reach the middle of the room, my hips swaying to the beat. The bass rattles my bones. The treble wakes up my soul. And the hypnotic voice of the man singing lights a fire in my chest.
This. This is what I needed.
