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As soon aswe walk through the doors of the exclusive club, I finally remember why I decided to stop clubbing. The noise is deafening. And it’s even worse in a popular club like this.
I’ve never been to Lakeside before. It’s the rich side of Richmond, where the rich and elite gather. Not that normal people aren’t allowed but everything’s so expensive here. I was a little surprised when Declan simply gave the bouncer at the front of the club a short nod for him to let us cut in line.
I want to have that much influence one day.
The two men guide us through the bodies on the dance floor and up a flight of stairs. Soon enough, we’re standing in a small dimly lit room with a wide couch that could sit ten people. There’s a bottle of champagne on the table, plus a bowl of ice and some glasses. There’s also some fries and chicken nuggets on the table, and cookies as well.
Yeah, I definitely love the VIP lounge. I’m ruined. I’ll never be able to go clubbing again because everything will pale in comparison to tonight.
Declan beelines to the champagne and starts pouring. He hands half-full glasses to each of us in turn.
“This is just our starter. I’ll ask someone to bring in the tequila, whiskey, vodka, whatever poison you want later on,” Declan states before raising his glass high. “To a fun night. And the beautiful women we have in our company.”
Lisabell laughs when he winks at her. “Cheers.”
We all clink our glasses together and I down my champagne in one gulp. Never really liked the sparkling, bubbly drink. I’m definitely in the mood for some vodka. Xander takes my hand in his, pulling me to the couch. He sits down and drags me onto his lap. My eyes widen and I try to get off him but his arms snake around my waist as he holds me in place.
“Stay,” he whispers against my ear. His breath warms my skin and I find myself leaning closer. “Don’t think too much, Juliette. Just for one night, let go.”
He’s right. I deserve this. Life has thrown a lot of shit at me these past few months, but regardless, there are bright spots as well. Things worth celebrating. I got a new job, and after my stellar performance and the reviews from breakfast today, I’ve managed to win most of my coworkers over. They recognize the talent I have now and that’s amazing.
I’m also in the arms of the most intriguingly amazing man, and there’s no place I would rather be. I really should let go.
“I’m surprised you’re so chill right now,” I say. “You don’t strike me as a club kind of guy.”
“He’s not,” Declan replies before Xander can. He drops onto the couch beside us. “I can count on both hands how many times Xander has been to a club in all the years I’ve known him. He’s always so serious. Most of my college was me trying and failing to get the stick stuck in his ass out of it.”
Lisabell and I laugh at that.
“So you’ve known each other since college?” I ask curiously.
Declan nods. “Yes, I came to the US to study at Duke, which is where I met Xander. He was a loner that no one ever really wanted to hang out with. And I was the guy everyone wanted to hang out with. We were polar opposites but for some reason, we were drawn together. I like to believe it’s fate.”
“Nonsense,” Xander mutters in a low voice.
I’m pretty sure I’m the only one that hears.
“We then went on to Harvard Business School for our graduate studies together. After that, Mr. Overachiever went on to build his first hotel, while I took over my uncle’s bank.”
I turn to look at Xander. “You went to both Duke and Harvard?”
He smirks in an overly arrogant way. Although I can’t say it isn’t deserved.
“Way to make me feel inferior,” Lisabell says from beside me.
“At least you went to college,” I retort.
Xander chuckles as his hand land on my bare thigh. I try to ignore the tingles that rise up due to the contact but it’s hard to do when he starts tracing circles there.
“The schools we went to don’t really matter, Firefly. You’re not any less than us because you didn’t go to college. You’re fucking amazing, regardless,” he says soothingly.
“You say that now but the two of you are some of the richest men in the state. I’m pretty sure the colleges you went to had a hand in that.”
I’ve never regretted skipping college. I always knew it was never meant for me, and as a young girl, I quickly found my love for cooking. But once in a while, I do wonder if more opportunities would have been provided to me if I had gone to college.
He shakes his head. “Dec and I had to work really hard to get to where we are. Also, we’re much older than you. We had a lot of failures, a lot of missed opportunities and chances. But what matters, in the end, is passion. And the ability to go for what you want without backing down. And you’ve got loads of that, baby.”
Oh my God.
