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I settle into one of the plush armchairs with a wry chuckle. "You know me, I like to make an entrance. But yeah, we're all set for Miss Drea Joy to take the stage and wow our guests with her... talents."
A hint of sarcasm laces my words, betraying my indifference towards the night's musical acts. But this event isn't about catering to my personal tastes.
Tonight's about giving our exclusive clientele an unforgettable experience they'll be talking about for months. An experience that will have them clamoring to join our newly minted members-only club when the doors finally open.
Ethan arches an eyebrow at me, his lips quirked in an amused smirk. "What, you're not a fan of America's next pop queen? I figured cheesy pop ballads were right up your alley."
I flip him off good-naturedly, and we all share a laugh.
"Oh, no. This can't be good." Kristina's voice cuts through the din, forcing my gaze up from my phone's screen.
Ethan absentmindedly strokes her thigh as he speaks in a barely audible voice to the club's security staff. Evidently, the two make an adorably gross and happy couple, as do Jackson and Haley.
"What is it?" I inquire with a frown, focusing my attention on my best friend's wife.
Kristina holds up the cell phone and turns it so that the screen is right at my eye level.
My eyes dart around the screen, and I spot one of our promotional posters plastered on a digital billboard, the same one that's been popping up everywhere in the city and all over social media.
The picture shows Drea Joy, undoubtedly beautiful. She has large aquamarine blue eyes and blonde hair that falls over her face in straight waves. The crisscrossing lights dance across her features, casting a captivating expression.
Below the image of the beautiful woman, the name Drea Joy stands out in large gold letters, immediately catching my eye.
I stare into her eyes, transfixed. There's a flicker of something haunting in their depths—a sadness, a longing. It tugs at me, stirs a familiar ache I can't quite name. Her gaze holds mine, unguarded for a fleeting moment. I sense a connection, a strange kinship born of shared ghosts.
My pulse quickens as I fight the urge to reach out and soothe the melancholy I see mirrored in her eyes.
What is it about this woman that calls to the shadows within me?
"Damien?" Kristine leans forward.
"Yeah. My bad. What am I looking at?" I inquire.
From what I understood, Ethan and Jackson's wives have been incredibly excited about the fact that one of the biggest and most recognizable stars of today was performing at Club Allure tonight.
That’s precisely the reason why we’re all in the VIP room of the club right now, waiting for the show.
Kristina zooms in on the poster, pointing out the names of other acts opening tonight.
"This is what I'm talking about." She points at Logan's name
"He's a regular. What am I missing?"
Haley's eyes widen like saucers. She looks as shocked as Kristina herself.
"What, don't you know?" Haley joins the conversation.
I exhale, trying not to roll my eyes. "Just spill it, Haley. Explain what I'm missing."
Kristina shakes her head as Haley settles into the armchair she shares with Jackson. Haley leaned in, lowering her voice as if sharing a juicy secret. "Andrea and Logan were a thing, you know? They were together for about a year, but with all the media attention they got, it felt like forever."
Kristina nodded, her eyes glued to the screen. "And their breakup? It was a total train wreck. It was everywhere, all over the news."
"That could certainly affect the show. Those two are like oil and water."
Kristina folded her arms across her chest. "More like alcohol and fire. You don't mix those two, ever," she said, her tone leaving no room for debate.
Jackson raised an eyebrow, his expression a silent question. "You didn't know that?"
