“Not really.” He sits back and pulls out his phone. “If you don’t mind, I have a couple of work emails to answer.”
“Go ahead. I have my own emails to check.” I pull out my phone and type quickly in my girls' group chat.
Oh my gosh, guys. I’m going to dinner at Pinnacle Steakhouse. The home of $$$$ steaks.
I send the message to Brielle and Willow and wait for their responses. I’m pleased to see that Brielle responds right away.
NO WAY.
Yes way.I type back.This is like fate. I was just telling you guys about that place a couple of nights ago.
It’s like you manifested it. How exciting. Let me know if the food is good. I don’t think I’ll be going there for ages. Seeing as I am making no money.Brielle responds again.
I can take you guys if you really want to go.Willow finally responds.
I groan under my breath. Now that she’s with a billionaire, Willow’s very generous, and I love that. I just hate the fact that she always feels like she has to treat us. I wish we could treat her sometimes. Sometimes I think if she hadn’t dated Sebastian, then all of our lives would still be the same. We’d still be there working in that hotel. We’d still be there cleaning toilets. It feels weird to me that my life has changed for the better because of who she ended up dating. I’m a woman who likes my own agency. I’m a woman who’s independent. I’m a woman who wanted to feel like I could do it on my own. And right now, I haven’t proven anything to myself, other than the fact that I’m still horny for Jack Heathcliff.
The car pulls over suddenly, and I realize we’ve arrived. I watch as Jack puts his phone away and adjusts his shirt.
“We’re here. Are you ready for a fun evening as the love of my life?”
“I’m more than ready,” I say, grinning, though that is far from the truth. I am totally not ready, especially when he uses words like the love of his life. I watch as he gets out of the car and then walks around to open my door. I step out, and he grabs my hand.
“Really?” I say, trying to pull away from him.
“We’re in love. We’re on a date. I think I should hold your hand.”
“You’re trying to tell me that when you go on a date with every Nancy, Jane, and Sarah, that you’re holding their hands?”
“I will have to admit, I’ve never been on a date with a Nancy. I’ve never been on a date with a Jane, and the last Sarah I went out with was in college, so technically I can’t remember if I held their hands or not.” I don’t even bother to respond to him.
We head inside the champagne bar, and my jaw drops. This is the most exclusive club I’ve ever been to in my life. The lights are dim, but the mood is whimsical. Black candles are lit throughout the bar and on each glass table. I feel like I’ve stepped inside a gothic castle as I stare at the dark velvet drapes and black chairs.
“I’m surprised there aren’t more people here. This place looks really cool, and yet it’s barely full.” I look around in surprise. There aren’t many people here, but everyone in attendance looks rich. Like really rich.
“They have limited seating to make it more private,” he explains. “And they charge for entry, so that stops a lot of riffraff from attending.”
“It must be expensive,” I say. “How much is it? Not more than a grand?”
“Don’t worry about it,” he says. “You’re here as my date. Remember?”
I stare at him and roll my eyes. It definitely costs more than a grand. I know it in my bones.
“Here goes,” he says as he waves to Levi, Santiago, and some ladies standing with them. “The girl in the red dress—that’s Raquel. That’s who we want to ensure is not all over me.”
“Don’t you worry about it, boss,” I say, pressing myself against him.
I see Raquel staring at us. She’s got super-long, straight blonde hair, big blue eyes, big boobs, and long legs. She looks like a million dollars, and for the life of me, I don’t know why Jack doesn’t want to be with her—but I’m not going to ask him.
“Hey, everyone,” Jack says. “I’d like to introduce you to my girlfriend, Katherine. Katherine, these are my friends?—”
“Darling, Jack!” Raquel immediately heads toward him and cuts him off. She pushes me out of the way sharply and gives Jack a big hug, pressing her boobs against his chest and pressing her lips to his cheek. I can feel myself growing angry at how she’s trying to dominate and push me to the side. This bitch really thinks she’s going to take my man, is all I can think, and even though he’s not technically my man, she doesn’t know that.
“Hi, Raquel. Good to see you again,” Jack says, taking a step back. “This is Katherine.” Raquel’s cold blue eyes meet mine, and I can tell from the expression on her face that she doesn’t think I’m much competition.
“Katherine,” she says. “How quaint.”
“Really? You think so?” I say, beaming at her, like she’s being nice to me. I decided to play her game and be as Midwest nice as I can be. I grab Jack’s hand and squeeze it. I look Raquel up and down and smile my prettiest smile.
