“Celebrating already?” I laugh at Hadley, lounging back on the couch, sipping on a glass of champagne.
“Yeah, well, this is a huge deal,” she squeals as she stands and brings me over a large glass of my own. “We are officially rid of Dominic ‘I can’t keep it in my pants’ Jennings.”
“It’s not like he died. I still could see him on the street.” I set my bag down and remove my heels before accepting the glass from her.
“This is true, although we could pull some strings and have him offed. I’m sure we could Craigslist a hitman or something.” She nonchalantly shrugs as if searching Craigslist for a hitman is an everyday occurrence in our lives. “Never mind on that.” She holds up her glass, and I follow. “But you were right, and this means he no longer has a reason to stop by your office. So, I say cheers to being rid of him finally.”
“I will cheers to that.” Our glasses clink, and then we link our arms as if we were married and take a sip. Some things never change.
She takes my hand and leads me toward my bedroom. “Now, let’s make sure you look extra hot tonight. We are also celebrating that you are not working late. This is huge. Maybe even more important than being rid of douche face.”
I know I work late often, but this is, I guess, a pretty big deal. I let my best friend go with it. I sit on the bed, sipping on my champagne, as Hadley tears through my closet, looking for the perfect outfit.
Sitting in a booth in the VIP section of Eiffel Park, I couldn’t be happier to be surrounded by my best friends. Hadley wasn’t kidding when she said that she knew one of the bouncers. When she texted Josh while we got ready, he not only put our names on the door but even managed to reserve a VIP table for us. My best friend needs to find a way to repay him for this. He went above and beyond.
Tonight isn’t my first time at this club, but it’s the first time in the VIP section. I am trying to take the full mental note to not think of anything work related, even if it would make for a great party venue.
I look around the room at the smiling and laughing faces. When my attention comes back to our booth, I find Hadley currently on her phone, hopefully making plans with Josh later for hooking us up while Cal whispers something into Brynn’s ear, playful smiles on both of their faces.
“Girl, you look hot tonight,” Brynn shouts across the table. I do look hot, don’t I? I decided on a black skinny-strap backless dress and strappy black heels. And when I say I decided, I guess I should say that Hadley threatened my womanhood if I didn’t wear it.
Two VIP waitresses approach the table: one carries a tray with two bottles of Dom Perignon, the other holding a tray of shots. “This is courtesy of Josh, at the front door.”
“Girl, you better thank him…” Brynn giggles as the waitress passes out shots between the four of us. “…with your vagina. Hell, if you don’t, I gladly will. This is amazing.”
I don’t miss the growl that emits from Cal, who is sitting next to her, as he pours the glasses of champagne. Hmm, interesting. I know that he’s overly protective of her, but that seemed more than that. Maybe the implosion between the two of them will be happening sooner than we think.
“Cheers to Lexi! To new beginnings.”
Everyone holds up their glass, and we throw back the shots.
“Woo!” Brynn shouts after slamming the glass down on the table. Well, it looks like Cal should have fun holding her hair back later.
The vodka and the champagne are the perfect mixture for nursing a hangover tomorrow in bed with reruns of One Tree Hill on Hulu. I bring the glass of champagne to my lips, and my nose twitches as the fizzy bubbles tickle my nose.
Hadley sets her glass down on the table and pulls me into an enthusiastic hug. “I am so incredibly proud of you. You are amazing.” Her words slur a little; clearly, she is already feeling the effects of the champagne we consumed earlier before everyone got to our apartment.
I gently rest my head against hers. “Thanks. You know I couldn’t do this without you.”
She straightens up, and I spin to face her. “No, it was all you.”
A familiar tune interrupts our conversations and blasts through the speakers. I shriek, causing Hadley to jump back and cringe at my high volume. She dramatically rubs her ears as if I just made her deaf. I have been known to dance in my underwear and sing into a wooden spoon to this song.
I down the rest of my champagne and jump to my feet, placing the glass back on the table. Yep, this is definitely going to leave a mark tomorrow.
“Come on; this is my jam! Let’s go dance.” I pout, giving an overdramatic sad face. The amount of champagne flooding my veins makes me not above throwing a temper tantrum in public.
“I haven’t had enough to drink for that,” Cal moans from his seat.
“Do we have to?” Brynn whines, avoiding my eye contact, and snuggles into Cal’s chest as if that will keep her from getting up. He hugs her tightly. They seriously would make an adorable couple and such attractive babies. I think the booze is going to my head, too.
Oh, hell no. I straighten my back, pushing my chest out. “Tonight is my night, and what I say goes, so chug your champagne or order another shot, but damnit, get off your lazy asses and come dance with me!”
I place my hands on my hips and raise my eyebrow, giving them my best mom impression, showing them that I mean business. A few more drinks are slung back, and the crowd escapes the booth.
I hear a few mumbled curses behind me shared between Brynn and Cal. “I heard that,” I joke over my shoulder.
“Meant you to,” Cal singsongs as he slides out of the booth after Brynn.
I throw my hands up in victory as I take Hadley’s hand in mine. The VIP section is full tonight, so we have to squeeze past the crowd to make our way to the stairs that leads us to the dance floor.
We somehow find space on the dance floor. I close my eyes and allow the music to take over my body, swaying side to side as it changes from “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston to “Titanium” by David Guetta and Sia. I push the thoughts of adulting, jobs, and new bosses—something that I can face tomorrow while milking a terrible hangover—but for now, I let the music carry me away.
Long legs.
Round ass.
Perky breasts.
And when she turned around, I caught a glimpse of her gorgeous smile.
I couldn’t keep my eyes off her since I watched her group arrive and take over the booth two down from ours. This is my first official week in Willow Creek, New York, and I think I might just like it here.
While I should be focusing on the job at hand, I somehow let my younger brother, Asher, convince me that I could take a night off and let loose. Although, as I look over at him, I find two barely dressed, blonde women hanging all over him in our VIP booth, and I think we have two different definitions of letting loose. He told me I needed to unwind.
But now that I’m here, I don’t mind the loud music and the crowds as much since I laid eyes on her.
I don’t stop staring at her as I watch her walk down the stairs, headed to the dance floor. Her long dark brown hair is flowing down her back in loose curls, and I want to know what it feels like to run my fingers through it to tangle my fingers through it as I taste those plump pink lips.