Unwillingly, my mind drifts back to his angular face and imposing frame. A gorgeous man like that is probably used to getting whatever he wants. A face like that was never meant for the right side of the law.
Half an hour passes in a blur. Soph entertains the same drooling guy while he finds increasingly obvious excuses to move closer. I nurse my drink, spiraling through thoughts and feelings triggered by my earlier encounter.
My phone buzzes with a text.
Sophia:
Hey girl! Feel free to say no, but Scott asked me back to his place. Would it be okay if we met up at my sister’s later?
Cass:
Yeah, of course! I was gonna head out soon anyway. For the record, you could do so much better than Scott,even for a fling.
Sophia:
I know, I know, but can’t blame a girl for taking what’s available. He’s really not so bad when you get to know him!
I set my phone down and lifted a skeptical brow.
“Stop that, it’s true!” She laughs, playfully smacking my arm before wrapping me in a hug and pressing a kiss to my cheek.
“I’ll be tracking you. Tell the little shit to behave himself.”
She laughs and heads over to her conquest, whispering something that makes him beam. I watch them leave arm in arm, Sophia blowing me a kiss over her shoulder.
Now what? I check the time, sighing. At least one of us will have a good night. I’m not the best company right now anyway. My mind keeps drifting back to that dark hallway, replaying every word exchanged with Mikhail like it’s some code that will unlock its secrets after enough repetition.
My neck aches from staring down at my empty glass. I rub my shoulder and stretch, wondering if it’s embarrassingly early to call it a night.
A sudden touch on my back makes me jump.
I glance over my shoulder, some treacherous part of me hoping for piercing blue eyes. Instead, I meet unfamiliar, dull brown ones with an expectant smile. Sharp disappointment cuts through me.
I look away, flicking my straw at the melting ice in my glass.
“Hey, beautiful, can I buy you a drink?”
Refusal sits ready on my tongue. I have no reason to stay since Sophia’s gone, and I’m not in the mood for small talk. But...I glance up at the beautiful room bathed in streams of light.
I’ll probably never find myself back here again. There’s something appealing about staying as long as possible before this night becomes just another fading memory. My desire to linger has nothing to do with a certain gorgeous club owner’s unexpected reappearance.
That would be pathetic.
“Sure. I’m Cassandra.” I offer the newcomer my most welcoming smile. His features seem muted compared to the man trapped in mythoughts. I shake his clammy hand, feeling none of the electricity I’d experienced with Mikhail.
He doesn’t seem to notice my distraction, sliding into the barstool beside mine and sharing his name. I immediately forget it. I’m starting to think inviting him over was a mistake—I seem incapable of tolerating anyone in this mood.
Well,almostanyone.
“What’s a pretty girl like you doing sitting all alone?” he asks as the bartender delivers my fresh drink. His body curves closer, and I have to resist physically recoiling.
Jesus, Cass, it’s just a guy trying to flirt, not an explosive device.
“Well, I had backup, but my friend just left. I figured I’d finish this drink and head home.” I wrap my palm around the cool glass.
“No! You can’t leave me yet, pretty girl. I haven’t gotten the chance to know you!” His breath hits my ear as he moves closer, hand settling on my chair back. The sudden invasion of my space sets me on edge.
“I don’t know, it’s getting pretty late.” I smile awkwardly, gently pulling away from his touch. He doesn’t seem to notice the delicate extraction attempt, keeping his arm around me.
