I pick my wine up to take another drink when I hear Emma yell through the phone. “Get dressed and meet me out. I need to dance, and you’re coming now.”
I start laughing. My plans for a relaxing bath are squashed because I know she won’t take no for an answer. The last time I said no to her, she showed up at my door and practically dragged me out with her.
“Yeah, okay, I guess I could. Where are we meeting?” I jot down the name of the club as she rambles on. I break the conversation to ask her what the dress code for tonight is.
“Wear something sexy, like that cute backless jumpsuit or sparkly gold dress with long sleeves and plunging neckline.”
I burst out laughing. “Okay, so something low cut and short, am I right?”
“Yes!” she practically screams through the phone.
“I’m on it, boss. I’ll be ready in thirty minutes. I’ll meet you there.”
“Call me when you pull up, it’s a big club, and I’ll come to get you,” Emma shouts before ending the call.
I plug my curling iron on and hurry to take a quick shower. I jump in and use some fragrant bath gel with my loofah, run a quick swipe of the razor because you never know, and jump out from the relaxing spray. I decided on the metallic-looking dress with the low back and deep-cut V at the neckline. A quick braided updo will show that off nicely. I curl a few strands that have come undone from the bobby pins and give a quick spray to lock the style in. I laugh as I think of Emma’s words sounding off in my head. That girl is always the life of the party, and I have to admit that I am looking forward to this impromptu dancing at the mystery club. Being new to Houston is fantastic. There is always so much to do, and I haven’t even begun to enjoy myself here. There seems to be endless studying and work. Most of all, I’d like to get my mind off Dax. As much as I try, he is always there, invading my every thought.
I do a smoky eye with nude lip gloss and apply tons of mascara. I put some gold hoops in my ears and a couple of matching simple gold bangles to tie it all together. I grab my wristlet and sit to strap my high-heeled sandals. Then just as I stand up, the Uber update says it’s minutes away. Perfect timing.
I get in the car and see that a girl is driving. “Hey,” I casually say as I get into the back seat of the vehicle.
She looks at me in the rearview mirror and smiles. I also plug in the coordinates to the club and share the ETA with Emma so she knows where I am. I pull out my phone and pull up the limited conversations I have had with Dax. I repliedokayin my last text message with him and never heard back. I decided to be brave and send another text to follow up.
Let me know when it is a good time for you, and I’ll see what my schedule looks like. I think it would be good to talk.
After several attempts at a reply, I decided on that, and before I could change my mind, I hit send. It was a long text, but I think we need to clear the air. I text Emma and let her know I am a block away if she isn’t checking her phone and then put my phone away.
The Uber driver pulls off on the side of the road. “That’s the place right there.” She points to a large building with what appears to be a long line out front. “Good luck,” she says. “I hope you know someone to get you in.”
I had no intention of going out tonight, but here I am, staring at his very busy-looking club. I reluctantly get out and start walking up to the club door, looking to see if I can find Emma. I decided to get in line and hope to at least get a couple of songs. At this rate, it will be closing time. As I go to move away, I hear a guy shout my name. This big burly guy at the door waves me up. I look back to see if he is talking to me since I have never seen this guy before. When I look to his left, I see a little blonde girl half his size, Emma. She’s waving to me, screaming my name, and laughing. I make my way up to the front of the line and ignore the rude comments and ugly death stares I am getting right about now. He lifts the rope, and I walk through. Emma immediately wraps me in a hug.
She grabs my hand and pulls me in. “Let’s go, girl.”
“Oh my god,” I shout out. “How did you get us in here? The line is crazy!”
She laughs but doesn’t answer and continues pulling me through a crowd. After we are halfway through, she stops and points to the bar.
“Come on, let’s get a drink.” We pull up to the bar and place our order for a couple of tequila shots each. “You look hot, Liv. That dress is amazing.”
I’m weirdly flattered. Emma compliments me all the time, but tonight feels different. I needed an escape from the craziness of my life, and I wanted to look good tonight. No, not good. Freakin’ sexy as hell.
“Thanks, girl. Let me get this shot for us.”
The bartender goes to give us our shots, and when I go to pay, he says, “All set. They’re paid for.”
Emma just looks around, and the bartender points down the end of the bar. Emma’s eyes narrow, but I don’t see who she is looking at. I figure it doesn’t matter. I’m happy with my free drink, so I stop searching for the mystery drink buyer.
“So, how did you get us in here?” I ask again, throwing back my shot and immediately turning back to the bar to get another. Maybe mystery drink buyers will help us out again.
“Funny story,” she starts to tell me as she takes her shot. Sucking on a lime, she discards it in the now-empty glass and grabs my shoulder. “I took care of the guy that owns this place in the ED this week. Well, not exactly him, but his security person that we hurt. I can’t go into details because of patient confidentiality, but he said that if I came here, he would put my name on a list to show his appreciation.”
“Well, look at you! That’s amazing. Was he the one who comped our drinks too?”
The bartender has already refilled our shots. We toast to lasting friendships and down our second one.
“No, it wasn’t the owner, it was someone else.”
I look at her and can immediately tell she is hiding something.
