The music is loud, the lights are going, and the energy of the crowd is contagious.
“He’s hot, he adores you, and he just walked us in here past that huge ass line like it was no big thing.”
“So I should marry him?”
“Are there better reasons?” Her grin widens.
I hate to admit it, but it was worth the trouble to get in here. Don’t get me wrong, I would have been perfectly content to go somewhere quieter and hang out with only Kinsley and Skylar. But this? This feels like a celebration.
Heidi and Christina got tired of waiting in line and went to another club. I’m glad we didn’t do the same. This is going to be fun, I think.
Travis glances over his shoulder to make sure we’re still following him. When he notices the small gap he’s put betweenus with his long strides, he pauses and waits a beat for me to catch up.
“We have a table on the main floor,” he says.
“Oh, you don’t have to babysit us all night.”
“It’s no big deal. We have extra spots at our table.” I’m not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t for him to invite us to his private table. I know just enough about the price to get in here to know the closer we get to the stage, the more expensive. And a table? I have no clue what those cost, but I know it’s one of thoseif you have to ask, you can’t afford itthings.
He stops walking and looks down at me, something serious taking hold of his expression. “If you don’t want to hang out with me, then at least use the table as a home base to chill and get faster drink service.”
“Why are you being so nice to me?” It’s so loud in here I’m not sure if he can even hear me since I don’t bother raising my voice over the noise.
His lips twist into the playful smile I’m much more familiar with. “I like you.”
That’s it. So simple and so complicated. I don’t have time to question it or ask a follow-up before he takes my hand and pulls me behind him. I look over my shoulder to Kinsley and Skylar, then wish I hadn’t. Their smiles are smug and far too knowing.
Travis’s hand is big and warm. He holds my fingers loosely but somehow still protectively as he navigates through the crowd. On the sides and in front of the dance floor are tables that hold a dozen or more people at each. Large, plush U-shaped booths with high backs that give them a sense of privacy while looking out onto all the people dancing in front of the stage.
He stops in front of one on the far right side. Two guys and two girls are already sitting there.
“You made it!” One of the guys exclaims as he looks at Travis then down at our still joined hands. “And you brought some friends.”
He has dark hair and a mischievous grin similar to Travis’s. Unlike the guy next to me, he has colorful tattoos all up and down his arms. One is around a beautiful woman with jet-black hair. She offers me a friendly half smile.
“That’s Danny but we call him D-Low,” Travis yells to me, Kinsley, and Skylar. Then he points to the other guy at the table. “And that’s Conrad or Shep.”
Conrad lifts a hand in a wave. Conrad or Shep is hot. Really hot. He has dark blond hair and a sharp, defined jawline that gives his face a pleasant and interesting edge. The rest of his features aren’t that remarkable on their own but together he’s possibly the most attractive man I’ve ever seen in real life. I’m a little warm just looking at him.
He seems less excited to see us, but I can’t decipher if it’s arrogance or if he’s just not as outgoing as his friends. He too has a woman next to him but he’s sitting a good foot away from her.
“Hi, I’m Kinsley!” My friend wastes no time scooting into the booth. She drags Skylar with her. “This is my girlfriend, Skylar.”
“Hey.” Skylar waves as she scans the group.
More reluctantly, I take a seat next to Skylar as I introduce myself, “Hannah.”
“Wait.” Danny leans across the table toward me. That mischievous grin is downright feral. “TheHannah?”
I open my mouth to respond but how does one reply to that? And what does “theHannah” even mean? I distract myself by checking out the gorgeous artwork on his arms. I’ve always liked tattoos but never had the guts to get one. How do you decide what to get and where to put it? I’m not generally indecisive but it feels like too big of a commitment to not be certain. Plus, I’ve heard it’s painful.
Travis drops into the booth. His cologne smells nice. Not overpowering but strong enough that it clings to him. I wonder if he has any ink besides the one I spotted on his bicep. I turn my attention from Danny to Travis, scanning what little bare skin he’s showing, absolutely not noticing the way his dress shirt hugs his shoulders and biceps or how the rolled sleeves highlight his tan, veiny, ink-free forearms. He might not be as striking as Conrad, but my body definitely lights up differently when he’s around.
“Yes. This istheHannah,” Travis says.
Wait. What?
I pull my focus from his arms (A major feat I might add. Seriously, forget mastering the Van Leeuwen. This is the bigger accomplishment. I deserve the gold medal. Parades should be thrown in my honor.) and study his face. There’s no sign of humor or embarrassment or… any emotion really. Like he’s talking about the weather instead of essentially admitting he’s talked about me to his friends. Right? Am I reading the situation wrong or is that what this means?
