I blanched.
Me? In a nightclub?Dressed like this?
I glanced down at my colorful ensemble, wondering how many more strange looks we would get in such a crowded place. Maybe they’d all be so drunk they wouldn’t notice. Or maybe they’d be too preoccupied.
What did people do at nightclubs besides dance?
Does Daze expect me to dance?
“Or not.” He laughed, probably registering the conflicted look on my face. “We can go somewhere else.”
“No, I…” The thought of a nightclub was a little unnerving, but I’d already done so many things out of my comfort zone today. What was one more? “A club sounds fun, but I’ll admit I’ve never been to one. Never really danced either, unless you count alone in my room in front of the mirror.”
His jaw fell slack, and his words came out slow. “You’ve never danced? Not even at school events or anything?”
I shook my head, not wanting to admit that I’d never been allowed to attend prom or winter formal. Even before I awakened, my mother kept a watchful eye on me. Always carefully plotting and planning what I was allowed to do andwhere I was allowed to go. If I left the house, it was almost always in the company of her or my father.
She was overly protective and, at the time, I’d hated it. I’d thought she was trying to control me, to ruin my life, but since her death I’d realized she meant well. She only ever wanted to protect me, even if it meant smothering me sometimes.
Emotions welled, and I coughed to clear the lump forming in my throat. Now wasn’t the time to get sentimental. Not when I was sitting in a restaurant with one of the hottest men I’d ever seen. That could definitely wait.
“Nope.” I shrugged. “So, I’ll probably be terrible. Fair warning.”
“I bet you’re not that bad.” His smile widened into an excited grin. “And if you are, I’ll teach you.”
Heat bloomed low in my belly at the thought of his body anywhere near mine, especially on a dimly lit dance floor. Before I could open my mouth to say anything, though, the waitress was dropping off our check.
Daze counted out cash and left it on the table before climbing out of the booth and gesturing for me to follow. Nerves lighting up my system, I obeyed without a word and let him lead the way out the front door and down the sidewalk. The entire time, I wondered what the heck I was getting myself into, but I refused to back out now.
If I could take Zero throwing razor-sharp knives at my head, I could handle a nightclub.
This would be a piece of cake… I hoped.
With the help of Daze’s phone GPS, it didn’t take us long to find a decent-looking club a few blocks over. My stomach fluttered when I noted the name of the club, Enigma, glowing in pink above the entrance. It was still early by nightclub standards according to Daze, but there were already a couple of people lined up outside.
“If you hate it, we’ll leave,” he assured me under his breath as we joined the queue. We could already hear the thrum of the music pounding from inside the building.
I giggled nervously, doubtful that I’d admit it even if I despised the whole thing. I was here for an experience, to do things I’d never done before. And with the sexy aerialist by my side, I’d make the most of it, no matter what.
“Deal.”
The inside of the club was stunning, everything dripping in shades of pink, blue, and silver. A long bar ran the length of the wall to our left, with light fixtures hanging evenly spaced above it. Behind it were several shelves of glass bottles, all different shapes and colors.
My eyes drifted across the club, taking in the rest of the scene. Spaced sporadically around half of the room were small cocktail tables and contemporary couches that looked more intriguing than functional. Pink string lights were draped from the dark ceiling, glinting off the silver fixtures and accents around the room. At the back of the space was a glowing dance floor where lights spun and flashed.
“What do you think?” Daze asked over the music, which played so loud it had my hair standing on end. The song was familiar, but I was too overwhelmed to really pay attention.
Enigma wasa lot, but excitement vibrated beneath my skin.
“I like it.” Once more people trickled in, and I worked through my nerves, I’d probably have a good time. Until I embarrassed myself on the dance floor.
“Do you want a drink?”
I stared up at him, indecision mounting.
Did I want something to take the edge off and soothe my anxiety? Yes, yes, I did.
But were these really the best circumstances for me to be getting tipsy for the first time?
