“Sorry. We were waiting on these three.” August gestures his head toward Ellie, Riley, and Hailey.
“Um, sorry for wanting to look good tonight,” Riley shouts.
“Come on, let's go.” Ellie pulls Riley’s arm.
We follow the girls, and I keep my eyes locked closely on Ellie. Tonight, will be interesting. Interesting in the sense that I will have to glare at any man that wants to gonearher. Plus, with the clothes she’s wearing tonight, I need to keep myself in check and make sure I don’t have an inconvenient boner.
The white halter top shows off her cleavage, and it’s an amazing sight. Skinny, small tassels hang on the hem in the front, making it look more playful. And she’s wearing these incredible jean shorts that should be illegal.
They cut off just past her ass, with some fringes from the hem coming undone. Her shorts are so short you can see the inside fabric of her pockets poke out from underneath. She paired her jeans with a brown belt and her white high-top Converse sneakers.
“This is my heaven.” Beau looks around like he’s a kid in the candy shop.
Hailey peers at him. “Beau, please don’t get us kicked out.”
“Looks like we have a bachelorette party here with us tonight. Guys, care to join me?” Beau asks with a smirk.
“I guess,” James says with a huff.
“Don’t need to ask me twice,” August replies.
I push my hands into my pockets. “I’m gonna stay back.”
The nightclub is buzzing with music and laughter. The dance floor is packed with people, their bodies moving in sync with the pulsing beat. Above them, the ceiling is adorned with a cluster of disco balls in varying sizes, their reflective surfaces casting shimmering spots of light across the room.
The red and soft orange lighting bathes the space in a sultry glow, giving everything an almost hypnotic, alluring vibe.
I watch the guy’s saunter over to a table filled with women. Deep maroon vines and foliage hang above the long section of tables, a white glow emanating off it. Behind the DJ booth is a neon light that says, ‘Dance first, think later.’ I would have never known a place like this existed outside of town. It’s an entirely different world from Dove Point.
“Where’s Hailey?” Ellie looks around us.
Taking advantage of my height, I look around and then spot her at a high-stand table, talking to a man decked in all black. He’s built like Beau, muscular, with tattoos running down his arms.
That checks out.
“She’s over there.” I gesture with my chin.
“I’m going to get us some drinks. I’ll be right back.” Riley gestures to the bar.
The bar is one of the showstoppers. Red lighting shines softly under the entire counter. Glass shelves run across the wall behind the bartenders, filled with bottles of liquor. Then, there are three separate arches below the shelves, stocked with different brands of alcohol, all lined up in their signature glass bottles.
“So, are you going to dance?” Ellie stands on her toes and shouts to me over the blaring music.
Bending down, I tilt my head toward her to hear her better and shrug. “The floors are crowded, and I don’t know if anyone wants a tall man bumping into them constantly.” I catch her laugh, straining my ears to hear it over the music.
She shakes her head. “It’ll be fine!”
There’s a shimmering glow on her cheeks that reflects off the light. It’s small flecks of gold, and it makes her even more beautiful than she already is — like a damn goddess.
I point to my own cheek before saying, “I like the sparkles on your cheeks.”
Then I close my eyes and dip my head a little.
Sparkles? I like the sparkles on your cheeks? I couldn't have said something better than I like your damn sparkles? You look beautiful tonight. It’s like you’re glowing.
At least that’d be better than telling her I like the sparkles.
She tilts her head back and laughs while I dip my head down, trying to hide my embarrassment, and she surprises me by meeting my eyes. Her head angles down with a smile plastered on her face.
