AllFreeNovel
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“Yeah,” I replied, a touch sarcastically. “Because what could possibly go wrong here?”
She laughed. “Okay, a lot can go wrong, but that’s not why I’m telling you this. I don’t want you to go through the same shit that happened when you didn’t protect your heart. So this is great. It gives you the chance to find out who you are, what kind of love calls out to you.”
Free love. Wild love.
“I’m just afraid I’ll mess everything up, Chels.”
“That’s okay. Relationships are never not messy. But you’ve got the driver's seat to the ride of your life, finally. And I want you to enjoy every second.”
With Chelsea’s words wrapped around me like armor, I dressed for my evening date with Noah Evans. I chose a little black dress that fit my curves and accentuated every soft corner.
Smoky eyes. A dash of neutral matte lipstick for my mouth.
I pulled up my hair into a messy bun and gave myself a long scrutiny in front of the mirror. Sam had been intimidated by my curvy structure. He’d told me it made me too 'conspicuous', that I’d be so much prettier if I could lose some weight.
Yet here I was, living my best life, just being my own self. Here I was, feeling beautiful in my skin, every curve included.
Bearly Bar was a cute little space.
The atmosphere was electric, with the sounds of chatter and laughter filling the air. The decor was sleek and modern, with plush velvet couches, low-hanging lights, and a beautiful marble bar that stretched across the length of the room.
The lighting was dim, but not too dark, casting a warm and inviting glow across the space. Each wall had character, with stunning art pieces adding to the chic and sophisticated vibe of the place.
It was the kind of bar that made you feel like you were part of an exclusive club.
I looked around and saw a sea of young, beautiful people, all dressed in their finest attire.
There were groups of friends huddled together, sipping on colorful cocktails and laughing at each other's jokes. There were couples sitting close together, lost in conversation and the alchemy of touch.
Bartenders, dressed in crisp black uniforms, moved with effortless grace as they mixed drinks and poured shots.
The music was a perfect blend of old-school classics and modern hits, creating an atmosphere that blended nostalgia with all that was contemporary.
It was clear that this was a place where people came to see and be seen, to socialize and let loose. The energy in the air was contagious, and I found myself smiling as I soaked in the ambience.
Someone tapped my shoulder as I sipped on a coconut martini, and I turned around and saw Noah and nearly spat out my drink.
Correction. I didn’t just see Noah.
He was flanked by Elijah Taylor and Benjamin Moore.
My professors.
“Hello, Rory,” Elijah said, his tone muted.
“We’re the men from the chatroom at Naughty Lessons.”
17
Rory
My favorite Mills and Boon book was about a superintendent who saved his lady-love from a fire. They’d had this sizzling enemies-to-lovers thing going on until then.
I particularly loved how he’d look at her and there’d be these intense sparks that just made me want to wet myself.
You know, when the butterflies hit that hard, you can’t help but wonder if men like these really exist. I could see my perfect man in real life, sitting across from me at an artsy coffee shop.
In my head, he was a painter. A vulnerable one, a man who came alive through each stroke he cast across his sketchbook. In my head, he would often stare at his blank page for hours before coming up with something.
