Chuckling, I reach for the glass of water Dilynne must have ordered for me and drink down half of it. “Thanks.”
“No, seriously, Elodie. You are incredible. You have a rasp in your voice that is so unique. Your energy is amazing. I hate when you go to a concert and the person just stands there at the mic. But you were moving around and having fun! Your energy was contagious.”
“Being on a stage is like getting to be someone else,” I reply. “It’s fun to be an alter ego of yourself. You know how Beyonce says her stage presence is Sasha Fierce?” Dilynne nods. “That’s how it feels. I don’t feel like Elodie Olsen. I feel like this different person, someone that matters,” I whisper at the very end.
“Well, hell, girl. You need to come up with a stage name then because watching you perform was entertaining as hell. And you do matter, Elodie. I mean, you’re helping my brother through one of the hardest transitions of his life, you’re offering me your friendship when we barely know each other, and you just brought up the energy in a room full of people wanting to escape their lives for a bit. I’d say those are all fucking important roles for someone to fill.”
Dilynne’s words hit me square in the chest, making my heart ache. She has no idea how badly I needed to hear those words. Choking back my emotion, I reply, “Thank you. That means more than you know.”
As if she can sense that I’m on the verge of tears, we share a look before Dilynne lifts her drink to her mouth and drains it, slamming it down on the table. “All right, enough of this depressing talk. We need some more alcohol, and it’s time to dance.”
Chuckling, I slide off my chair as well, sucking down the final few drops of my drink. “Agreed. Let’s do this. And hey, thanks for inviting me out. I really feel like I needed this, you know?”
Dilynne wraps her arm around my shoulder as we head toward the bar, our height difference making it a tad difficult since she has to lean down to reach me. At only five-two, I’m shorter than almost everybody.
“Me too. Ever since Laney and Fletcher got together, we don’t go out as much anymore. I’m not mad at her, but it’s nice to have someone else who’s single that wants to have fun.”
I don’t have the heart to tell her that a night at home with Henley and Remy has become its own version of fun, and right now, I’m kind of missing them—even though I am having a good time.
“Being single is better than being with the wrong person though, that’s for sure.”
She nods. “So true.”
Once I get a refill and Dilynne switches to soda water with lime, we head to the dance floor and move until my feet are throbbing. I dance with a few guys, but none that make me feel anything close to what Henley makes me feel.
At one point, I spot Dilynne wrapped up with a guy, kissing him hard before slipping off the floor with him.
“Where are you going?” I call to her.
“I’ll be back. Give me fifteen.”
Watching her walk away, I turn back to the guy I’m dancing with. His hands tighten on my hips. “Where’s your friend going?” he asks, his mouth close to my ear so I can hear him.
“Probably to the bathroom,” I answer.
His grin widens. “We could go to the bathroom too.”
“No thanks.”
He pulls me closer. “Aw, come on. You seem interested, and I definitely am.”
I attempt to push him away, but his grip on me tightens. “I said no.”
“I can get you free drinks. I’m friends with the owner and know a spot that’s more private than the bathroom, if that’s what you want. It pays to know the people in charge.”
I shove him completely off of me now, my chest heaving from the exertion. “Don’t you understand that no means no?”
He holds his hands in the air as a security guard comes over to us. “Is everything okay here?”
My dance partner smirks as he begins to back away. “Yup. We’re good. I was just leaving this cocktease alone.”
Tears prick at the back of my eyes as I spin and make my way off the dance floor. When I find a corner to catch my breath in, I stare down at my shaking hands.
Memories flood my mind, overpowering me and making my chest grow tight. I close my eyes and try to fight off the panic attack I feel coming, but luckily, Dilynne finds me before I fully slide to the floor.
“Elodie. Hey, you okay?”
When her face registers in front of me, I shake my head. “No.”
