I felt his touch again, like it was real, and my body betrayed me, warming in response. Damn, tequila. I shook my head like I could physically dislodge the memory. Nope.Not tonight. I wasn’t acting on anything, so I couldn’t afford to think about it.
Victoria smirked and added, “You know, the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.”
I groaned, shaking my head.
“Oh my God! Did you really say that?” Victoria was pulling out the popular sayings like she was starring in a rom-com. She was drunk too, so I couldn’t exactly blame her.
This was too good. Shit, I was actually having fun.
I wished I didn’t need tequila to get there, but… screw it. Tonight, I wasn’t “Mom Jules.” I wasn’t the Jules with endless responsibilities, deadlines, or a never-ending to-do list. I was just Jules. Old Jules. And I missed her. She was fun, right? A little deranged, prone to overthinking, and okay,majorlyprone to disassociating, but she wasn’t this tired, heavy person I had become.
One night. I could be her for one night.
Another shot? Yes. Maybe.No.No, no, no. Stop it.
The laughter between us grew, buzzing with that reckless energy. As the hilarity began to die down, Victoria leaned in, suddenly looking more serious.
“Jokes aside, I’m pretty sure Jessica Rogers is waving at you.”
I blinked, not sure I’d heard her right.
“What?”
She pointed toward the crowd, and I followed her gaze until my eyes landed on—oh my God—Jessica Rogers. Shewaswaving. At me. Jessica Rogers lookedhot.Likereally hot.Old Jules loved to explore, and for a second, the thought crossed my mind. Maybe she… nope. Stop it.
I waved back before I could overthink, and Jess gestured for me to come over.
Wait. Me?
“Oh shit! She’s calling you. Go! Go!” Carol nudged me with a huge, excited grin.
“No way,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “I’m not going by myself. You guys need to come with me.”
Fun-drunk Victoria was already on board. God, I loved that girl. I was so happy my sister found someone as amazing as her. “Oh, I havenoproblem with that!” she said, already leading the way.
We navigated through the pulsating crowd, weaving between sweaty dancers, strobe lights, and random drink spills. The V.I.P. area was ahead, surrounded by security. Fancy. The air even felt different here.
As soon as Jess spotted us, her face lit up and she walked towards the velvet rope. She was visibly tipsy. No judgments there.
“Chris’ new girl!! I remember you!” she called out, slurring slightly. “Jules, isn’t it?” I forced a smile, but it was tight. Could people please stop mentioning Chris forone second?
“Chris’ex-girl,” I corrected, raising my eyebrows. “Yes.”
Jessica’s expression shifted, her smile turning into something more knowing, like she’d been here a hundred times before—and she probably had. She let out a little laugh.
“Oh. Of course. So on brand for him. Come on in.”
I gestured toward Carol and Victoria. “I’m with my friends.”
Jessica’s gaze slid over them, assessing, sizing them up. Then her face broke into a wide grin.
“They’re hot! They can come in, too.” She turned to the guards like she owned the place, which, honestly, she probably did in a way. “They’re with me.” Then back to me with a warm smile. “Come, come.”
Carol looked like she might explode from excitement as we stepped past the velvet rope into the VIP area. She practically vibrated. Her eyes darted everywhere, wide with thethrill of it all. She was living for this moment, soaking up every glamorous detail.
Okay, fine. I was excited, too. I mean, how could I not be? Jessica freakin’ Rogers had personally invited us into her orbit. But I needed to play it cool, at least cooler than my little sister. Because hello, this was Jessica Rogers—my girl crush, my favorite badass screen queen. She was standing right here, in front of me, and wow. Just… wow.
I was going to need another drink.
