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She gives me a coy smile, her tongue darting out to graze over her lips, and my heart stutters in my chest. "Well, just give a holler if you need anything, okay?" she says.
Then, she leaves us behind once again.
Diego laughs when she's out of earshot, finishing his drink with the next breath. "Yeah...you need to take my advice," he says. "Talk to her. She likes you."
"Maybe another night," I sigh. "That was...embarrassing."
"For you, maybe," he says. "But for me, it was very entertaining—so thank you for that."
I shake my head and take another sip of my drink, but I know that, on some level, Diego is right. Even if it's not Sophia—even if it's not a romantic situation at all—I need to make a change in my life. Whether that means flirting with a pretty young waitress or leaving New York City remains to be seen.
Whatever the case, change is on its way.
Chapter three
Sophia
Nights at the White Oak tend to move fast, and this shift is no exception. I spend the hours manning the front desk, checking in on the wait staff, and running orders until most guests have left.
Closing is at two in the morning, and I start gathering the staff up to usher the remaining members out. There are just a few: one group immersed in deep conversation…and one man sitting alone. I realize with a start that the man sitting alone is none other than Ryan Wright, and I take it upon myself to go and get him. He stares into the beautiful view of Manhattan but glances up at me when I clear my throat.
"Oh!" he says in his slight southern accent. "Sorry…didn't see ya there."
"That's okay," I say with a smile. "We're just about to close up, and I wanted to let you know; can I get you anything for the last call?"
"Nah," he says, shaking his head. He's already holding an empty glass, the ice long-melted. "I was just enjoying the view and lost track of time."
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" I ask.
"New York?"
"Yeah."
Ryan shrugs. "From up here, I guess. When you're not stuck in traffic, it's easy to get lost in the lights."
I nod in agreement, acting like I'm looking at the skyline and not thoroughly checking him out. He's a really handsome guy, with brown hair quickly going silver on the sides and green eyes sparkling in the White Oak's golden light.
"Well, I'm afraid it's time to close up now," I say. "You'll have to come back and enjoy the view another time."
He chuckles and stands up, stretching his tall frame before slipping on his jacket.
"Thanks for coming to get me," he says, giving me a lopsided grin.
"It's my job," I reply, feeling a flush creep up my cheeks.
Ryan laughs, a deep, rich sound that sends shivers down my spine. "Well, I appreciate it all the same," he says. "Good night, Sophia."
"Good night, Mr. Wright."
He pockets his wallet and then heads toward the exit, and I notice just how tall he is. When everyone else is at the club, it's easy to lose track, but he's got to be at least six-five, making me feel absolutely tiny.
I shake off the height difference.
Thoughts away from the members, Sophia.
I take a deep breath and get to work. I help the wait staff clear away tables, move chairs closer to the walls, and turn off all the lights around the club. Then, I grab my purse and head back to the reception desk to grab my keys. Before I go, I take onelast look at this place—the glittering wall of windows looking out over Manhattan, the stage that's seen so many starlets sing their hearts out, all these people who come for an escape from reality—and take the view in.
Finally, I turn off the main lights and make sure everything is locked up before locking the door behind me with a final click. The White Oak is closed for another night, until tomorrow at least.
