Page 33 of The Relationship Mechanic

Jessica laughed. “Isn’t it, though? My friend bought this place a few years ago and completely overhauled it. She’s doing the same thing to a couple places in Houston.” Her smile was wide and so open it was almost childlike as she looked around. “It’s kind of amazing that she created all of this from scratch and manages to keep the place full night after night.”

Vini could understand how impressive that was. She didn’t know the first thing about running a club, but she knew that staying relevant and busy was a struggle no matter the industry. But it was still all a bit much for her. Everything was loud and crowded. She could understand the appeal, but it just didn’t really appeal to her. She had never really been the clubbing type and being here now just confirmed it.

“Jessica!”

A new voice came out of the crowd, and by the time Vini turned to greet the newcomer, she was already there sweeping Jessica into a hug that was enthusiastically returned.

“I haven’t seen you since that night in Ibiza. When I saw your text, I knew I had to make sure I was in the city to say hi.”

Jessica’s laughter hit Vini, and she felt her smile slip. She quickly rallied and reached out, the manners her dad had instilled in her finally manifesting. “Nice to meet you. This place is amazing.”

“Oh, shit, I’m sorry, Madeline,” Jessica said moving back to Vini’s side. She placed a hand against the small of Vini’s back, and Vini couldn’t help but feel a thrill skirt up her spine at Jessica moving back to her side. “This is my good friend Vini. It’s her birthday we’re out celebrating.”

The woman turned to her, and Vini found herself not knowing how to react to Jessica’s introduction. She fixed her expression before her face betrayed her thoughts. She had no reason to be upset at only being introduced as a friend. Jessica had made it very clear from the beginning that what they had was not an actual relationship. As much as Vini found herself slowly wishing that their conversations meant more, the reality was that they weren’t together. They weren’t girlfriends, and they never would be.

She came out of her head in time to see Madeline reach out. “Good to meet you, Vini. Any friend of Jessica is a friend of mine.” Vini blinked quickly when she saw Madeline give her an obvious once-over. Did that look mean what she thought it meant? She glanced over at Jessica in time to see her raise her eyebrows.

“Don’t even think about it,” Jessica said with a sharp smile. Madeline held her hands up and laughed. When Jessica’s arm slid around Vini’s waist, Vini tried to cover her surprise with a soft cough. “Hands to yourself, woman.”

Madeline put said hands on her hips. “I should say the same to you. Really? Both of them?” She shook her head but didn’t say more, and Vini wished she had continued. What did she meanboth of them? Both of who? Vini wasn’t sure if she should even ask. She wasn’t entirely sure if she wanted to know.

Jessica shook her head but didn’t say anything. When Vini glanced at her, she could see a strain in Jessica’s smile that hadn’t been there before. It didn’t help her feel any less out of place with the whole conversation. She looked around, wondering the best way to exit. Jessica must have had the same idea.

“Vini, we should check out the dance floor.”

That was not what Vini had in mind when she thought about exiting. Her idea had consisted of getting all the way out and heading back to the hotel, but before she could voice that, she found herself being pulled along past the other tables and toward the mass of gyrating people. Panic sharp and painful welled up in her. Dancing was not something she felt confident about. Hell, she preferred bars for a reason. Whoever thought that all Black people could find the beat had never had the unfortunate experience of watching her try to move. Still, she followed, eyes glued on the soft sway of Jessica’s hips. People seemed to part for them as Jessica guided her deeper in until they were surrounded. When she turned, Jessica’s lips were parted, and now Vini’s gaze was caught again by the desire to delve between them knowing just how good they would feel and taste.

“Why do you look so nervous?”

“I’m not nervous,” Vini replied quickly. She looked around hoping that everyone else was too into their partners to pay her any mind. When she looked back at Jessica, she could tell the other woman didn’t believe her. She was relieved, though, when Jessica didn’t call her on it and instead pulled her closer.

The beat was slow—slower than it had been when they first got to the club. Vini’s eyes were wide as Jessica eased her into the heady beat. She almost didn’t know what to do with herself but finally raised her arms, resting them on Jessica’s shoulders. This was new—being out around other people and not hiding. It was more intoxicating than the slow, gentle grind they seemed to settle into. Vini’s eyes never left Jessica’s, not caring who was around them or who might be watching.

“See?” Jessica said, her voice barely carrying with the volume of the music. Vini had to lean forward to hear her clearly, which was fine with her. It put them even closer together, and she could almost feel the air from each of Jessica’s words. “No reason to be nervous.”

“You weren’t at my prom.” She hadn’t meant to say anything, but once the words came, Vini knew she had to let them continue. “I think they decided to go ahead and crown the king and queen just to get me to stop dancing.”

Jessica giggled and shook her head. “I’m sure it wasn’t that bad.” Her hands slowly slid up Vini’s back before sliding back down again and settling on her hips. “I didn’t even have a prom.”

“You didn’t?”

“I finished high school in Korea. My school had a lot of festivals, but we didn’t do prom. I thought it was a myth until my cousins from Chicago showed me pictures.”

Vini smiled. She hoarded each little bit of her life that Jessica volunteered. “If it makes you feel any better, most proms are overrated. I mean, I had fun because I was with my friends, but I didn’t go with a date or anything.” Feeling a little emboldened by the fact that they were still swaying together and no one’s foot had gotten stomped on, she continued. “For what it’s worth, I would have asked you to go to prom with me.”

“Yeah?” Jessica’s smile widened, and it was like a spotlight had been turned on high. Vini felt almost weightless in the sight of that grin and before she could second-guess herself, she leaned forward, removing the space between them to press her lips against Jessica’s.

The kiss was soft and almost hesitant but that didn’t last long. Jessica’s hands went from resting to gripping Vini’s waist, and when Vini parted her lips to suck in a gasp, Jessica’s tongue followed. Sucking kisses sent syrupy drops of pleasure sliding down Vini’s spine, and she curled her hands over Jessica’s shoulders in an effort to pull her even closer. They weren’t close enough in her opinion. In fact, what she really wanted was to go back to their room so they could fall together without the barrier of clothes and common decency.

“Can we go?” Vini asked when they briefly parted for air. She didn’t move far from her, not wanting to be without those sinful lips pressed to hers.

“Are you not having fun?”

“I am,” she insisted before cupping her palm around Jessica’s cheek. “But I want to get you out of those clothes and show you how much more fun we could have with just us two.”

Jessica blinked slowly. “Jesus,” she said breathing out loudly. “I definitely would have gone to prom with you if you asked like that. Let’s go.”

She pressed one last hard kiss against Vini’s lips before grabbing her hand and leading them off the dance floor. It was a bit more difficult getting to the exit, especially when the music’s tempo changed again. It took a few stops and starts, but finally they made it out of the crush of people. They were almost at the exit when Jessica’s name was called. Vini groaned when Jessica stopped and turned to two women coming toward them.

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