It’s a sad but perfect plan.
“I can’t come over now, Nora, but I have an idea. Just stay home, everything will be okay. I’ll talk to you later, I’ll definitely call you again this weekend.”
“Okay, talk to you later.”
Anna’s words linger in my mind. Did I expect too much from him? Do I really have feelings for Andreas? If so, what kind of feelings? I even started preaching about my hope for a happy little family and my belief in love. It was probably naive to think I could just turn off those beliefs for one night. I played with fire, and I knew it. With his irresistible body and those perfect words, Andreas tore down my carefully built walls, and now it’s backfiring on me like a boomerang. Without the wall, I was vulnerable and fragile, and he punished that immediately. Deep down, I knew this could happen, and yet I chose to go with him. My insights may be enlightening, but they don’t really help. Now I’m not only angry at Andreas, but also at myself.
Two hours later, with a glass of wine, my favorite pajamas, and a blanket on the couch, I hear the doorbell ring. I jump in shock. I check the doorbell camera and see it’s Dennis, my cousin, so I open the door.
“Hey, Dennis, everything okay? What are you doing here? I sent you a message saying I couldn’t make it tonight, didn’t I?”
“Don’t act like everything’s fine, Nora. Anna sent me. She was pretty worried about you. I brought two pizzas, including your favorite: quattro formaggi. Are you going to let me in or what?” Dennis never disappoints. He knows that bringing food automatically grants him access to this house.
“Uh, yeah, of course, sorry. Come in. What did Anna tell you?”
“Everything.”
“Oh.” So, everything then.
I hate Anna! Well, for a moment at least. I can never stay mad at her for long, but she really shouldn’t have told Dennis all of this. I’m not sure if I’m up for this, but I pour him a glass of wine anyway. Admittedly, part of me is glad he’s here and that I’m not alone tonight.
“Here’s the plan!” His tone makes it sound like he’s about to read out an important decree. “We eat pizza, drink wine, you put on a sexy outfit, touch up your makeup, and then we go out.”
“What? No! If I’d known that, I never would have let you in!” I protest.
“Nora, that guy’s a jerk. He doesn’t deserve your sadness, so tonight you’re going out and you’re going to dance and drink him out of your system, got it?”
It doesn’t sound so bad, but I’m so tired.
“We’ll see about that, Dennis. Let’s start with the pizzas.”
We devour our pizzas, finish the rest of the wine, and reminisce about old childhood memories. To my own surprise, an hour later I’m in front of my closet choosing an outfit. I decide to go for a tight black dress with a high slit and a bustier top. The wine definitely plays a big part in my decision. The dress fits me like a glove, but it’s so daring that I’ve never had the courage to wear it since I bought it a year ago. I can’t think of a better night to wear it, though. I try to salvage what I can with makeup, leave my hair down and wild as it is, and opt for not-too-high heels so I can last on the dance floor tonight.
“What do you think?” I ask as I come out of the bathroom.
“Wow, Nora! Where have you been hiding all these years?” He bursts out laughing. “Come on, let’s go. Time to unleash you on Bruges’ nightlife.”
We head to a new club, 8000, named after the city’s postal code. It’s a fairly large club by Bruges’ standards. The dance floor is in the center, surrounded by high tables with bar stools and one long bar at the end of the room. Six bartenders are constantly on the move, serving drinks. Upstairs, there are low, upholstered couches and tables, separated by red curtains. The space is dimly lit—blue below, red above. The music is fantastic, and I manage to dance and finally stop overthinking everything. Dennis quickly spots someone from work, Peter, who’s there with two friends, Isa and Noah. We end up sharing a table with them.
“Hi, I’m Nora, Dennis’s cousin,” I almost shout to be heard over the music.
“Hey, I’m Noah, this is Peter, and that’s Isa. Nice to meet you! I didn’t know Dennis had such hot girls in the family.”
Noah winks flirtatiously and is clearly already a bit tipsy. His eyes sparkle with anticipation. Noah isn’t an unattractive man. He’s tall and slim, with jet-black, shoulder-length hair and a strong jawline. He could’ve walked right out of a magazine, but he doesn’t spark anything in me. Still, his compliment lifts my mood, exactly what I needed.
We order a round of cocktails and shots for everyone. There’s a fun, relaxed atmosphere, and we laugh at the silliest things. The alcohol helps to break the ice. Isa asks a million questions and does her best to keep the conversation flowing. I doubt we’ll become best friends anytime soon—she’s a bit too much, constantly demanding attention—but I appreciate her effort and enthusiasm. Isa’s stunning, with long, brown hair and mesmerizing eyes. The wrinkles etched in her expression reveal her age, even if her clothing suggests otherwise. Peter has traveled all over the world and tells us the craziest stories. He’s the oldest of us all and loves to share his life experiences.
As the night goes on, Noah can’t seem to take his eyes off me. He positions himself casually next to me at the table.
“Come on, let’s dance,” he says.
Before I know it, he’s grabbed my arm, and we’re on the dance floor together. Noah is very physical. He grabs me around my waist and grinds against me as we dance. It doesn’t feel particularly pleasant, but he smells nice, and I’m too drunk to care much. I let myself go with the moment. Isa, Peter, and Dennis join us on the dance floor.
“If I need to save you from Noah, just let me know, okay?” Isa says.
Noah doesn’t hear her; he seems too lost in his own world.
I giggle. “I think I can handle him. A little nudge should do the trick if I want to shake him off.”
