Page 20 of Counterfeit Connection

The last thing I’m going to admit out loud is I’m nervous, and I’m annoyed at myself for that fact. This isn’t a date. I’ve told myself that one hundred times. I didn’t even want it to be one, but I have the same butterflies in my stomach as if it was. I still wanted to look my best. I still wanted to impress him.

“Which place are we going again?”

“It’s that whiskey bar in SoHo. Nocturne, I think it’s called.” I look at my phone and check our ETA. We are only five minutes out.

Great. Here comes the nerves again.

I’m wearing my good luck necklace. It’s a simple diamond pendant my father gave my mother when I was born. When she got sick, she put it around my neck and told me when I was happy, lonely, sad, nervous, or any emotion in between, just take the gem between my fingers and rub across it. It will not only center me, but it will let me know my mom is always right there.

The driver pulls up to the curb and the sidewalk is packed. I knew it would be a madhouse, but I also knew it was a place they enjoy. That’s what this is about. They want us to tag along with them on one of their last weekends in the city. Katarina is right. This is a place we’d never go. This whole night will be a new adventure. I just need to get over myself and have a goodtime. I shouldn’t put any connotations or expectations on it…both things I’m not good at doing.

We thank the driver and climb out when he opens the door for us. It takes me a moment to catch my bearings, but Katarina takes my hand, centering me a little.

“Where are they meeting us?”

“He said they’d be…” I look toward the building that houses Nocturne and sure enough, Griffin and Tobias are standing on the sidewalk, dressed to the nines in their tailored suits. “Holy shit, Kat. We’re out of our league.”

“Huh?” She follows my gaze, spotting our companions for the evening. I try to ignore the many camera phones pointed their way. “Holy shit is right, but out of our league? Babe, they’re the ones who should be nervous. Look at us. We’re hot as fuck.”

They seem lost in conversation until slowly Griffin’s head turns and we lock eyes. Even through the crowd of people, I can clearly read his lips.Mate, they’re here.He smiles as I gently tug on Katarina’s wrist to have her follow me. It doesn’t take much. Tobias and Kat connect with their eyes, and I swear to God I heard fireworks somewhere. I’ve never seen such a visceral reaction from two people in my life.

“Hello, Kaitlyn. I’d like to introduce you formally to my friend and partner, Tobias Carter. Tobias, this is Kaitlyn Logan.”

“Hi. It’s nice to meet you. This is Katarina Everett.”

“It’s a pleasure, Katarina.”

Tobias takes a half step in front of Griffin to take Kat’s hand. He leans forward just slightly before pulling the back of her hand to his lips. “The pleasure is certainly mine.”

Kat makes this weird giggle noise she tries to cover by clearing her throat. “I hope you weren’t waiting too long. That was my fault. Kait and I have been dying to get over here to Nocturne. Glad our first time will be with you.”

Griffin smirks. “Who would I be to get in between you and a first experience?” He gestures toward the door. “After you, ladies.”

Kat loops her arm through mine so she can get a whisper in before we even make the doorway. “I’m dead.”

I raise my eyebrows in response, in a way only other girls can understand. The way that says“Uh, yeah, I know. I told you there was no preparing for this.”

Nocturne is very crowded but it’s laid out in a way that doesn’t feel overly packed in. I’ve been in many bars in my life, and most of the time, I feel like a sardine in a can.

The decor is stylish, blending classic charm with industrial chic. There are exposed brick walls, rich leather booths, and armchairs perfectly placed around the space. The warm lighting casts a glow over the shelves that are stocked with an impressive collection of rare bottles from all across the world.

The bar itself is like a statement piece in the center of the room. It’s large and made of reclaimed wood with brass accents. It feels expensive.

We’re waved to a more secluded area next to the bar. A velvet rope is moved and boom, just like that we’re in VIP. We find a booth in the back corner and slide in—Katarina and I on one side, Griffin and Tobias on the other. I can’t ignore that being face-to-face with him is making my skin tingle.

“Hello, Mr. Shaw. Thank you for stopping in tonight. I trust this table is to your liking?” the host asks politely.

“It is, thank you. Tell your boss we’re grateful for the invitation.”

“There’s a button on the table in the middle. That will go straight into our paging system. Please call for me if I haven’t checked in enough. What would you like me to start you with?” they ask.

“Please bring us a bottle of the Macallan thirty-year double cask and four glasses. We’ll also take all three of your light bite offers to start. Thank you.”

As the host leaves, all I can think of is,Holy shit, he orders whiskey like I order soda.“I don’t think I’ve ever had whiskey older than I am.” I laugh. My lame attempt at humor seems to break the nervous tension I think we all feel.

“Trust me, it’s going to blow you away,” Griffin says, staring directly at me.Jesus.

“Ah,” Tobias interjects. “Griff, here, is just trying to impress you. Don’t let that fool you. He’s as down-to-earth as they come, even if he drinks six-thousand-dollar whiskey.”

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