“I feel like he was probably just wondering,” I say. “Nothing wrong with that.”
“I think he was stalking me,” she goes on. “One time, I swear he was parked right outside my house.”
“For a date?” I ask.
“No. Just sitting there.”
Mila: Good.
Dominic: Good. I like her better than the bitch squad.
I giggle and look up at Lainey. “Sorry. No, that is creepy for sure. Have you thought about dating apps?”
Lainey’s nose crinkles. “Ew. No. I’ve heard they’re a cess pool.”
“More of a cess pool than the Cockpit?” I ask, and she snorts.
“Like I’d ever date a man I met there,” she says, and we both laugh. Then she smiles up at me. “I miss you.”
“I miss you too,” I tell her, my voice cracking. I really do. Lainey is the only person I feel like I can truly be myself with. She’s seen it all. Knows it all. The good and the bad.
“We should go out,” she says. “It’s been forever since I’ve gone out.”
“Let’s do it,” I tell her, both of us getting excited.
“There’s this new speakeasy downtown. I think it’s called Ursela’s,” she says.
“Ursela’s?” I ask. “Like the sea witch?”
Lainey laughs. “It’s supposed to be a chick bar. Feminist, dark, villain inspired.”
“That sounds amazing,” I tell her. And it does. “Although I don’t think you’re going to meet any men there.”
“So we go dancing after. Club One O’ One!” she says, and I laugh.
“For sure,” I nod, and my phone buzzes again.
“Tonight!” she says. “I don’t work. After tonight, I don’t have a day off for six days! It’s bullshit, but Niko has been skull-dragging us lately.”
I look at my phone and frown. “Tonight?” I ask.
“Yes…what’s wrong with tonight?”
I glance at the text again.
Dominic: We have a dinner to attend tonight. It’s a work thing, so put your game face on. There are lots of people to impress and convince. Also, wear the green dress. It’s stunning.
Stunning.
He thinks the emerald dress is stunning.
I pull myself back into the present and look up at Lainey regretfully. “I can’t go tonight. Dom and I have a date.”
“Mila. This is the only night I can go out,” she pouts. “Can’t you go on a date any night? Or every night, for that matter?”
“It’s a work thing,” I tell her. “But soon. I promise.”
Lainey doesn’t look like she believes me. I feel bad about it, but there’s not really anything I can do.
