“I don’t know, April. Muskoka is like an hour’s drive away, and I really don’t have extra money right now. That client cancelling on Tuesday really put a hole in my budget.”
I don’t think she realizes how bad my financial situation has become. None of my friends do. I have been living off Aunt Maggie’s goodwill and the leftovers Ryan left behind for the past two days.
“I’ve already thought about that,” April says, waggling her eyebrows. “We can take my car and then stay the night at the hotel across the street from the bar.”
“No money, remember. I can’t afford to get a hotel room.” I shake my head, leaning back into the couch cushion. This is so embarrassing.
“I’m way ahead of you. I already have a room booked.” April adjusts her body to sit cross-legged on the couch, facing me. Pushing her magenta- and blue-streaked blonde hair behind her shoulder, she says, “I know the owner, and he said he will take care of us for the night. Give us the real VIP treatment. You’ll see, it will be amazing.”
“Let me get this straight. You heard about this great new bar opening, I presume from the owner, you want me to go with you, and you have all the details figured out. How well do you know this guy?”
“Very well,” she assures me. “Please say you’ll come.”
“I see how it is,” I say, absentmindedly tracing my lips with my fingertip. “Well, I guess I wouldn’t mind getting out of town for the night. When is the opening?”
“Friday night.”
“Like tomorrow night?” Dropping my hand to my lap, I reel back with wide eyes. “Jeepers, give a girl some notice.”
“Do you have plans already?” she asks, tilting her head.
“Not really,” I confess. I’m going to Hannah’s cabin for book club on Saturday afternoon, but my Friday night is wide open. Unless you include watching a documentary and eating ramen alone in my trailer.
“Does that mean you will come?” She smiles widely, bouncing in her seat.
“I’ll go.” I laugh. Maybe this is exactly what I need. I can get out of town and forget about everything for the night.
“Hurray,” she cheers, leaning over to hug me. “We will have an amazing time! You won’t regret it.”
Ihope not.
Ten
By the time April and I close the shop on Friday night and leave Emerley, it is past seven p.m. I was tired after a busy day and seriously questioned my decision to go out tonight. But now that we are at the hotel, I have gotten my second wind and I’m ready to have some fun.
“Wow! You look amazing,” April says, slowly circling around me, whistling her approval.
I’m wearing a red backless lace-up corset with black skinny jeans and high-heeled boots. The boning lifts and separates my boobs perfectly. I need all the help I can get in that department. My many tattoos are on full display. I’m wearing my long hair straight down my back, and I have layered a variety of lengths of necklaces around my neck to complete the look. I brought a short, black leather jacket with me, but the bar is so close to the hotel that I don’t think I will take it.
“Thanks, babe, you look stunning.”
She slowly spins, showing off her knee-length, black, fit and flare skirt, white V-neck halter top, and heels. With her hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail and colourful curls framing herface, she could easily pass for a modern-day pinup model. I’m not at all jealous.
“Thank you.” She grins. “I’m ready to go whenever you are,” she says, picking up her clutch.
“Ready.” I skip the purse—that I would probably set down and forget about—and slide my room key into my pocket with my phone instead. I pray that April’s friend comes through with the free drinks, or I’ll be sipping water all evening.
It takes only a minute for us to reach the lobby by elevator. I never noticed how beautiful it was when we arrived. We were in too much of a hurry to check in, get upstairs, and change for me to take it all in.
Soft light casts from vintage wall sconces. The reception desk is a slab of live-edge wood; its roughness makes it look like the forest was brought indoors. Across the room, brown leather club chairs circle a giant stone fireplace, where a low fire crackles. Indigo-and-rust accents make the room warm and inviting. Hardwood floors and heavy timbers give it a rustic charm. Somewhere, faint music plays—something slow and acoustic.
“Wow, this place is incredible. Have you been here before?” I ask April as we exit the building onto the sidewalk.
“I have.” She smirks, leaning her shoulder into mine.
“Let me guess. With yourfriend?” I say knowingly.
“Yep.” She links her arm through mine as we cross the street towards the entrance of the bar. “He owns the hotel as well.”
