I could use the distraction from thinking about Sara.Especially since she’s been consuming my late-night thoughts more often than she should.
9
SARA
“Damnnnn, girl, you’re getting laid tonight,” Sydney says as she breezes through my front door.
She oozes confidence, dressed in a black leather skirt, black turtleneck sweater, and black combat boots.Her braids are tied up in a bun, with a few strands hanging loose, framing her face.Her smoky eyes and cat-eye liner are sharp enough to cut glass, and she smells faintly of vanilla and bad decisions.
“Thanks,” I say, swiping gloss over my red lipstick.
I steal a quick glance at the hallway mirror and, honestly, I’m impressed.I cleaned up well.I’m wearing a black lace bodysuit that accentuates my chest, the bodice hugging my curves and giving me a perfect hourglass shape.I pair it with black jeans and black heeled ankle booties.The outfit might not be warm, but it makes a statement.
And that statement is: I’m single and ready to mingle.
“Alright, let's get out there and clean these webs.”Sydney says, dragging me out the door.Grabbing my leather coat, I roll my eyes at her commitment to this cobwebs joke.
The smell of sweat, perfume, and cheap beer hangs thick in the air as we walk into Eagleton Saloon.I might make good money from streaming, but it’s hard to pass up the classic college-town experience of a grimy local dive bar.Ever since streaming became my main source of income, going to college for a degree I’d probably never use felt like a waste of money.That didn’t stop me from soaking up the full college-party experience, though—especially with Sydney as my wing woman.
Before my streaming career took off, we went out a lot more often.Not that I liked going out often—it was more because I like hanging out with Sydney.Sydney is an absolute knockout—the real-life embodiment of Samantha fromSex and the City.She’s unapologetically herself—true to her wants, needs, and desires.The world would be a better place if we were all a little more like her.
“I’m going to go realign my crystals,” Sydney shouts, already digging through her purse.“The energy in that Uber was absolutely not the vibe.”
She pulls out a small velvet pouch like she’s about to perform a ritual.She gives me a pointed look.“Do not leave.Do not hide in the bathroom.I’ll be back in five.”Then she disappears into the crowd, crystals in hand.
Over the next ten minutes, I’m reminded of why I stopped going out with Sydney.In the short span of time, I’ve been bumped into by a drunk sorority girl trying to find her friends, and two frat bros almost turn me into a sandwich, andnotthe fun kind.The kind that reminds me that standing at five-foot nothingsucks,andfartoo many of these men are rocking sweat stains in very unflattering areas.A part of me wants to call an Uber, go back home, and snuggle on the couch with Sir Sloths-A-Lot, but Sydney’s words echo in my head.
Dust off the cobwebs.
Finally, I find a small pocket of space at the bar and wedge myself in, waiting for the bartender to spot me.I guess being short does havesomeadvantages.The bartender looks up, eyes flicking over me with open appreciation.He lingers just a tad too long on my breasts before meeting my eyes.He looks to be about my age, twenty-five, and definitely gives off the vibes that he would entertain the idea of going home with one of the women from the bar…I’ll keep him as a backup for my cobwebs.
“What can I get you?”he asks, voice smooth, eyes clear with mischief, and leaning in a little too close for my liking.
“Vodka soda,” I reply, matching his tone.He’s definitely easy on the eyes.Sharp jawline, dark green eyes, a little five o’clock shadow, and a smile that definitely gets him good tips with the ladies.
“You come here often?”He slides my glass to me, our fingers grazing, but I don’t get any fuzzy feelings.
“Sometimes.”That earns a laugh.Before he can continue his flirtatious endeavors, his coworker cuts him off, pointing to the needy customers at the end of the bar.
I scan the room slowly, letting my gaze drift over clusters of people pressed shoulder to shoulder, laughter spilling over the music.I’m not desperate—just… open.Curious.Tonight feels like a night meant for possibility.
That’s when I lock eyes with Eli.Another resident of Sundown Court.
He’s posted up near the high-top tables with his roommate, Aiden, both of them nursing beers.
I know Aiden and Eli mostly by proximity—neighbors a few houses down who both moved in a few weeks after me.I never really talked to them until recently, when Jake—Aiden’s puppy—followed me home one day.I guess Aiden’s been training him to protect his girlfriend, Charlie, and I must have looked similar because Jake followed me.I’m glad he did, though, because Charlie came by to get him, and I found out she’s the brilliant mind behind my favorite local-ish bakery.It’s located in Everly Falls, about two hours away, but I was so addicted to their sourdough fudge brownies that I’d have paid for overnight shipping.Now that I’ve met Charlie, she actually hand-delivers them whenever she comes into town, and it’s the best thing ever.
Eli grins when he spots me and lifts his chin in greeting, curling two fingers in a casualcome-hithermotion.I smile back, already weaving through the crowd toward them.
And then I see him—Dave.The neighbor I’ve been playing what-ifs in my brain for the last five years.
He’s standing a little off to the side, half-turned toward the bar like he’s observing, more than participating.Recognition hits me all at once, pulling me backward in time.
The breakfast block party—Sunrise on Sundown.After he rescued me from Mr.Vasquez, we hit it off, or at least Ithoughtwe did.I figured he would have asked for my number, but he never did.It was a blow to my self-esteem, especially since I was coming off of a breakup.But time went by, and I only saw him casually, from time to time.We never really had another opportunity.Maybe tonight is the night.
My gaze drifts back to him, taking him in properly this time.He looks like he walked out of a GQ shoot in his navy boyfriend sweater and khakis.He seems taller—broader—than the first time we met.I wonder if it’s because he’s hanging out with Aiden and Eli.It seems like he’s taken on their physique, and considering they’re both ex-Marines, it’s not a bad one to take after.His short brown hair sits neatly on his head, making me want to run my hands through it and mess it up.Soft, honey-brown eyes meet my gaze, and the smallest hint of a smile brightens his face.
I slide into the space beside Aiden, Eli nodding in greeting.
