Raven
Now on the dance floor, the effects of the shots are going to my head.
The place is packed for a Wednesday, and sweat-glistened bodies move all around us.
Still, we’ve created a perimeter with Asher in the middle, shielding us from the gyrating couples practically dry humping.
Silver has transitioned a lot over the past couple of years. There has always been a higher echelon clientele in the VIP areas, but nowadays, everyone in the place is swathed in high-end wear and dripping with diamonds and watches that cost more than my first car.
The club is now the hottest spot in the city.
It’s practically a speed-dating location for the rich and famous.
Luckily for us, Asher has connections.
Well, at least his family does.
He’s from a wealthy family, oozing in old money. His connections are limitless in the city of who you know. While I’d never say that to his face because he’s determined to make his own way, it’s the truth. Asher will never have to beg and plead for top positions with his last name.
Nepotism is alive and well in these parts.
“Oh, my God, Ash. Whatever you are trying to do there is not a dance move worthy of Silver,” Lily barks in laughter as he continues with his less than stellar imitation of a lawn sprinkler.
Lily leans forward in hysterics at his antics as Asher is many things, but a dancer, he is not.
“I’m going to pee. Stop it!” I yell at the moment when one song stops and another starts.
Everyone looks at me, and the three of us burst into more laughter. We’re acting like high schoolers, but it’s what I need.
Starting a new chapter in my life has me confused. One part of me is excited about the future, and the other is already disenchanted by a career I haven’t even begun. Despite Lily’s and Asher’s reassurances, I’m nervous about what’s to come Monday.
I'll be miserable if they have me running pointless errands and shut me out of the idea process.
“Okay, I really am going to pee,” I say, needing to get out of the fray for a few moments.
“Yeah, me too. Sorry, Asher,” Lily calls, chuckling as she follows me through the crowd of people still dancing.
“Girls,” Asher mumbles as he turns towards the bar.
Like always, there’s a line for the ladies’ room. Lily and I take our spots behind two women complaining that VIPs should have a separate bathroom at the back of the club. My head turns to Lily, and I roll my eyes. Her hands fly to her mouth to smother a giggle, but it’s too late.
The women turn around, glaring down at us. They aren’t that much taller, but their five-inch stilettos make them appear as though they are.
I quirk one eyebrow at the pair as if to say, do you have a problem? They sneer, turning back to the front. Staring at the one woman’s profile, I realized she was the girl with the gorgeous man outside the VIP room.
I can’t help but sweep my eyes over her in complete jealousy. She’s wearing a waxed metallic dress that is easily more expensive than anything I own. It hugs her curves like a glove, showcasing a body that likely hasn’t seen a carb in years. She’s sexy and glamorous.
Looking down at my own dress, straight from Amazon, I can’t help but feel inferior in every way. And I hate that. I’m not a jealous girl. I’m not someone who begrudges others for their success. I’m the girl who fixes crowns and cheers on my fellow women.
Apparently, not tonight. Here I am, hating her—a stranger—for simply being good enough for a man I’ve seen once in my life from across a crowded room. She’ll get swept up in him tonight while I head back to my meager apartment alone.
It’s pathetic.
“Hey, can I talk to you?” Lily asks, pulling me from my inner pouting.
She shifts on her feet unsteadily, alerting me to the fact she’s clearly drunk and all her inhibitions are loose. I have no doubt in my mind that she wants to talk about Asher.
“Of course. What’s up?” I say, ushering her forward as the line moves.
“Well . . .” she starts and seems unable to finish.
“It’s about Asher, isn’t it?” I ask, hoping to help her along in the right direction.
She nods. “Yeah. But not just that. It’s about you and Asher.” My head cocks back in incredulity.
“There’s no me and Asher, Lil.”
She sighs, and I want to shake her. “Would you ever want there to be?” she asks timidly.
An unladylike snort rips through me, and the two women in front of us turn, wearing matching looks of revulsion. I smirk, only managing to infuriate the pair more, before turning toward Lily.
“Are you crazy? No way. He’s like my brother.” My nose scrunches up in mild disgust at the thought. “I know you think he likes me, but it’s only because we’ve known each other for so long. Trust me, nothing is going on between us, and there never will be.” She blows out a breath in relief, and I smile.
“I know.” She leans in and hugs me tight. “Thanks, Raven. You’re my friend, and I wouldn’t have done anything to get in the way if I wasn’t sure you weren’t into him like that.”
I smile. “Talk to me about this anytime, okay? I promise you—Asher is permanently friend-zoned.”
The line moves again, and the raven-haired girl of the evil pair in front of us drops her clutch. I lean down without thinking and retrieve it for the woman who can’t even be bothered to offer thanks.
Money does not equate to class.
Lily leans in and whispers. “Uh . . . Raven, do you know that guy?”
I follow Lily’s gaze toward the men’s restroom.
The handsome man from the VIP room is directly ahead and looking straight at me.
He’s even more devastating up close. A healthy dose of scruff, trimmed to look tidy but sexy as hell, gives him an air of brutish authority. A shiver runs down my spine, and my cheeks warm as I peruse every inch of the man unapologetically. A grin spreads across his face, which only manages to make him more roguish.
I quickly avert my gaze.
“No. I’ve never seen him before in my life.” I’m not sure why I lie. I haven’t actually seen him for more than a minute here in the club, but there had been a moment. At least on my end.
Only your end, Raven.
“Well, he obviously has his eye on you.”
My head shakes back and forth. “No, he doesn’t,” I say and feel the color rush to my face again. “He’s with her.” I motion toward the bathroom where the two girls have disappeared. The man was long gone.
“Who?” she asks, looking around, face scrunched in confusion. “Are you blushing? You never blush.”
“I’m not blushing. It’s just warm in here,” I say, fanning my face with my hand.
She chuckles. “Whatever you say, girl. Not that I’d blame you. That man was oozing sex.”
My eyes close of their own volition. The image of the guy seared into my mind like a dream I’m not ready to let go of. I internally groan at how ridiculous I’m acting.
He’s a handsome man, but I’m in New York City. A place that’s crawling with attractive, successful guys at every corner. My reaction to him is nothing more than my body's way of rebelling against my self-imposed drought.