I wish I’d left mine at home—with my baby face we’d definitely be turned away. But Nate distinctly reminded me to put it in my pocket before we left the house, so I can’t even pretend.
The second we step inside, I’m overwhelmed by the bassbooming from the speakers, the strobe lights flashing across the dance floor, and the fog omitting a weird, chemical smell. Nate puts a hand on my shoulder and leans close so I can hear him over “Single Ladies.” I try to ignore the familiar scent of his spicy cologne as it fills my nostrils. I especially try to ignore the way it sends a jolt straight to the lower regions of my body.
“Want something to drink?”
“Just water, thanks.”
I’m about to follow him to the bar when he tells me to stay put. He mouths something to me with a grin as he walks backward, the crowd of men parting for him. I think he’s saying “mingle.”
Mingle? How the heck am I supposed to do that?
I do my best to look natural, but I feel like I’m in the way. People jostle me on their way to the bar or the dancefloor. And when Nate comes back with two bottles of water, I’m leaning against the wall, trying to be invisible.
He leans in again—this time I hold my breath.
“What are you doing hiding over here? Your dream man isn’t going to find you lurking in the shadows.”
He might, though. Maybe that’s exactly what my dream man would do? That’s what you did. No, stop.
Nate bops to the music as “Single Ladies” transitions into “Sweet Dreams.” This isn’t Nate’s kind of music. He prefers moody acoustic songs and emo rock bands Evan teases him over. He’s being a good friend by being here and pretending to enjoy himself—for me.
I sip my water and try to force myself to have a good time.
“Hey, what about him?” Nate points out a guy at the bar who’s been looking over since we arrived.
“He’s looking at you,” I tell Nate.
“No, not necessarily.”
Yes, necessarily.
“Anyway, all you need is an introduction. You can entice him from there.”
I have never enticed anyone from anywhere. Surely Nate knows that?
Nate nods in the guy’s direction and he starts weaving his way through the crowd with a seductive smile. I’m just glad the music is loud enough to drown out my groan.
“Hey,” the guy shouts over the music, glancing at me from the corner of his eye like he’s scoping out the competition. Evidently, he finds it lacking, because he leans boldly toward Nate and says something in his ear. His t-shirt is stuck to his lean, muscular frame and I catch a hint of sweat and strong cologne as he leans across me like I’m not even there.
He pulls away, listening with a glint of promise in his eyes, and though I know Nate is about to turn down whatever proposition this guy just whispered in his ear, I can’t take another second of it.
“I’m going to the bathroom,” I say, not hanging around to see if anyone heard.
I don’t know if Nate’s following. As much as I hope he isn’t, I’m sure he is. I don’t look back as I find the gender-neutral bathrooms and pass a group of people applying makeup at the mirrors until I find an empty stall.
I have enough time to put my head in my hands and take some deep breaths before Nate comes looking for me. He calls my name a few times before his sneakers appear under the stall door. They disappear again and I sigh.
“Hey, excuse me, have you seen a guy come in here?”
“I’ve seen lots of guys come in here,” someone says.Other people giggle. I imagine Nate smiling at everyone, charming their pants off. “This one’s really cute.”
My insides twist in ten different directions.Please stop,I want to run out and tell him.You don’t have to say that. I know you don’t really believe it. It’s okay.
“If he was that cute, I would have remembered him,” someone says.
My stomach drops.
“Well, maybe you weren’t paying attention,” Nate bites back. A hint of snark behind the humor. Everyone laughs. Of course Nate is charming enough to make a snarky comment and have everyone love it.
