Before I can stop her, she grabs the phone right out of my hand and types something. I shake my head, officially giving up.
“There,” she says, handing it back like she just sealed a deal. “Now he knows where we’re going to be. Let’s see which one of us is right.”
Sloane
Club Viper. VIP section. It’s my friend Mandy’s birthday and she forced me to come. I’m excited though. I haven’t been dancing in forever, and that’s all I’m thinking about.
“Seriously?” I blow a harsh sigh.
Mandy just grins. “He’s going to lose his damn mind picturing you in that dress, surrounded by guys with their hands all over you. He’ll show up just to keep you in his sights. And by the end of the night? He’s gonna throw you up against the nearest wall and kiss you.”
“You’ve read way too many romance books.”
“So what?” She shrugs. “Sometimes that shit happens in real life.”
“Has it ever happened to you?”
“No.” She flips her hands in the air. “But I also don’t have a sexy Russian who wants to bone me.”
I don’t even get the chance to reply before my phone buzzes again. My pulse spikes hard when I see that it’s him.
Kirill
Dancing with who?
“Oh, shit.” Mandy laughs, elbowing me. “What did I tell you? Jealous. As. Hell.”
“What do I say?” My voice goes thin as I stare down at the screen like it might bite me.
“You say nothing.”
She plucks the phone from my hand and slips it into my handbag. Her lips widen into a cocky, diabolical smirk, and I’m actually afraid of her.
“Come on, let’s go. The taxi is about to get here.” She pulls me to her side and ushers me out the door.
Downstairs, her mom is in the kitchen, stepping out with a smile and a mug of tea in her hands. She’s got this refined beauty to her: long black hair, hazel eyes. The kind of presence that makes you feel safe without trying too hard.
“Don’t you girls look beautiful?” she says. “Be careful tonight, okay? And don’t drink anything you didn’t watch get made.”
“Yes, Mom.” Mandy leans in, kissing her cheek, and my stomach twists.
Growing up, I used to wish I had a mom like hers. Someone kind. Someone who looked at me like I mattered. But the one I had barely even fed me.
Stuffing the memories aside, I start for the door, but Mandy’s mom stops me.
“Don’t I get a hug?” Her grin and outstretched arm make emotions clog up my throat.
“Sorry,” I whisper, stepping forward, and the second she wraps me up, everything inside me stumbles.
“I’m glad you’re going too. It’s good to go out sometimes.”
“Yeah.” I nod, glancing down at myself once she pulls back.
“Well, you ladies have fun. Just not too much fun. And you’re welcome to stay over, Sloane. Whenever you want, okay?” She grabs my hand and squeezes.
“Thank you, Mrs. Fields.”
She makes a teasing face. “Stop with the Mrs. stuff. I’m Trish, got it?”
