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I do what I’m told, hanging on to her every word.
“You have to be prepared for more than two people to be in pursuit of you when you step outside again,” she instructs. “Talk to no one, keep your eyes on the floor. You are going to walk out the main entrance of the club and get into the black limo waiting outside.”
I’m nodding despite knowing she can’t see me. “How am I going to get past the man out there?”
“You’re going to cover your hair and walk quickly. If you can, try to blend in with another party of girls. Don’t draw attention to yourself, and don’t let them see your face. They will be monitoring everyone who steps out that door, so you need to be as inconspicuous as possible.”
I glance at the tiny hand towels and begin to panic. “There’s nothing here I can use for that. I can’t—”
Just as I say this, a gaggle of drunk girls practically fall through the door, pushing each other two at a time into the cubicle until only one girl remains. Her leather jacket is thrown over one shoulder while she struggles to stand up.
“Hey!” I say, thinking quickly. “Want me to hold that while you’re in there?”
The girl blinks at me slowly before a sloppy smile spreads across her face. “You’re a saint, thank you!”
She sways as she approaches, so I meet her halfway, taking the jacket straight from her all-too-willing hands and guiding her toward an empty cubicle.
“There you go,” I say, closing the door behind her.
It takes me all of thirty seconds to race back to the sinks and, struck by sudden inspiration, rip the sleeves off my flared shirt. It’s not much, but when I secure the material around my head, it looks similar enough to a scarf for me to be satisfied.
Throwing on the leather jacket and bringing my phone back to my ear, I make my way toward the door. “Okay, I’m ready.”
“Good girl,” Eda replies calmly, seemingly unperturbed by my momentary absence. “The limo has arrived. All you need to do is get there, okay?”
“What about Arnie?”
“I’m assembling a retrieval squad as we speak.” She must hear the sharp intake of breath I take because the next thing Eda says is: “Your fiance will be fine, darling. I daresay he’s been in worse situations.”
I take a deep breath. She’s right, of course; Arnie has done nothing but prove his capacity for taking care of himself. And yet, I can feel myself worrying already.
“You’ll see him again in no time,” Eda continues reassuringly.
I let her words soothe me before swallowing hard and shoving the door open.
Immediately, the heavy bass of the music fills my ears, vibrates through my body, and disorients me. Despite being sober all night, the adrenaline mixed with the music suddenly makes me feel drunk.
I spot the scarred man still mid-conversation with the bouncer, but I don’t miss the way his eyes glance toward the women’s bathroom door agitatedly. If he notices me leaving, I don’t know—I hurry forward with my head ducked, trying not to draw attention to myself.
“Eda? Can you hear me still?” I hiss into my phone’s receiver as I descend the stairs back into the club.
“Crystal clear, darling.”
“What do I do?” I’m aware I sound pathetic and terrified.
But Eda takes it in her stride. “Just stay on the phone.”
My heart feels like it’s beating a million miles a second as I pass by the bouncers. It’s like stepping out onto a stage for the first time when I’ve only learned half my lines.
“Laugh at a joke. Make it as annoying and as drunk as you can,” Eda suddenly guides me as I get closer and closer.
I breathe in and out. Okay, I can do this. It’s just improv, right? I might not know my lines, but I can perform my way through it. The thought steadies my breathing to the point that my learned composure can take over my body. Show time.
The sound that comes out of my mouth is closer to a cackle than a laugh, but I add a sway to my hips and throw my head down to emphasize the movement in my shoulders. It’s probably a little too much, but I stick to the act.
I don’t notice the group of girls until I’m practically colliding into them.
“Oh my God!” I shriek as I embrace the surprised girl closest to me. “I haven’t seen you in forever.”
