Viv grabs my arm, leaning onto me way too much for someone who says they’re ‘not that drunk’, as we make our way to the edge of the dance floor.
How did I let her convince me that going to a club on a weekday was a good idea?
Oh, yeah, because it’sViv.You don’t say no to Viv. She’s a fiery red head with more passion than common sense at times, although it serves her well at work when we’re batting cases.
I met Viv in my third year of law school, and we immediately hooked to each other, bonding over asshole professors and cheap ramen. Now, seven years later, we’re as strong as ever, working at the same defense attorney’s office. Between her and I, the city’sworst criminals have some of the best legal representation money can buy.
Almost thirty years old and you still can’t stay away from the dark, Evie. What does that say about you?
I reach up and run my fingers along the chain around my neck, the one that goes far down beneath my short dress and hides the diamond engagement ring nestled between my breasts. The one that even ten years later, I haven’t been able to toss into the trash and pretend it never existed.
No…because this ring is my strongest tie to the dark. It’s what changed my life.
Viv sees me fondling the necklace again and rolls her eyes. “Girl, you’ve got to give it up. I know it hurts babe, but they’re gone, and you deserve to move on.”
I drop my hand and give her a small smile. It’s weak, but it’s all I can master. I know she means well, and she’s the only person alive who I’ve ever told my story to, but I can’t seem to let the past go no matter how hard I try.
“It’s not that easy, Viv.”
She sighs and takes my hand, leading me – or really, I’m leading her – to the exit. “I’m just saying. You deserve better;Abeldeserves better. Hell, it’s not like Wylder hasn’t been trying to tie you down for years now!”
A blush rises to my cheeks as a vision of my neighbor comes to mind. Golden tanned skin, dirty blonde hair and a wicked mouth that he knows exactly how to use. Wylder James moved in next door three years ago and we moved into the friends-with-benefits stage soon after.
“It’s not like he’s ever asked for anything more.”
Viv laughs, her laugh quickly turns into a hiccup as someone bumps into her and she shoves them away. “Because he’s too nice! Even being a gang related ex-Marine would never make him scary.”
“It was an MC, Viv, not a gang.”
I can practically hear her eyes roll. “Same thing.”
It’s really not.
I stay silent and give her a shrug as we push through the remainder of the crowd until the red exit sign shines brightly in front of us. The open door lets in a small breeze as the bouncer steps aside for a couple who looks like they’re already tipsy.
Viv turns around once we’re almost at the door, her eyes bright with all the alcohol we’ve drunk over the past few hours. “Do you even know how to flirt anymore?”
I scoff. “Of course I do. I flirt with Wylder all the time.”
She shakes her head, “No, that doesn’t count. I mean, do you know how to flirt with someone you haven’t been casually sleeping with for the last three years?”
“I mean…I haven’t tried but I’m sure I can. It can’t be that hard.”
Viv’s smile grows wide as she shoots her eyes across her shoulder to the bouncer manning the door. “Prove it.”
Shaking my head, I back up a step as if I don’t have to go out that very exit to get into an Uber. “No. No, no, no. That’s just desperate, Viv.”
She grabs my wrist and pulls me closer, surprisingly strong for a woman who I thought was close to passing out ten minutes ago. “Come on! It’s not like you’ll ever see him again. Just go say something hot and walk away!”
My heels slide on the greasy floor, allowing her to push me directly out the door and into the bouncer.
I grunt at the impact, immediately looking up to apologize, but the words get caught in my throat. His tanned skin is highlighted by his dyed red hair, the color of blood and cropped so close to his head it’s only long enough for him to run his fingers through – which he does. He’s hotter than I anticipated.
Tattoos line his neck, waves and mountains, flowers and vines, nature of all kinds line every inch of his skin until they disappear beneath his clothes. His verytightclothes.
Oh, good God, Viv. I’m going to kill you.
“Careful there, Princess. You never know what’s waiting to snatch you up in the shadows.”
