Page 48 of Dark Encounter
Chapter 18
Grace
"Stop fidgeting with it." Jenna reached out and pushed my hand away from my top.
"It's too low. Shit." I glanced down to see the tops of my small breasts poking out above the silky green top Jenna forced me to buy that afternoon. "And this skirt makes me feel like a hooker."
"You look beautiful. Stop." She gave me a warning look over her shoulder before walking up to the opening of Kadia.
Nate stood at the door looking like a Greek god, his dark blond hair spiky, his blue eyes filled with life. He filled out his shirt and jeans beautifully, but he wasn't Erik. No one was.
"Wow." He reached for Jenna, pulling her against him and kissing her before turning to face me. His eyebrow lifted. "You look fucking hot, Grace."
"Thanks," I mumbled and moved past him as embarrassment threatened to swallow me whole. Why the hell had I agreed to dress like a tramp and come to a club without Erik? Nothing good could come of it. I could hear Jenna explaining to Nate that I was moody thanks to my new outfit.
"Among other things," I ranted and walked toward the bar. The club was filling up fast, which was good. I hoped to get lost somewhere on the dance floor after toking up on a few shots. If I was going to pretend to have a good time while my heart ached over Erik, the least I could do was get drunk enough to pull it off.
"Hi, pretty girl. What can I get for you tonight?" The bartender wasn't one I'd seen before.
"I'll take two shots of whiskey and a Bud Light." I tapped the bar and smiled at him as he winked and walked off.
"You starting without me?" Jenna was a little winded as she sat down on the barstool next to me.
"I feel out of place." I glanced around.
"Why? You look incredible, and tonight is about us, right?"
"I guess." I turned back and handed the bartender my card. "You can start a tab for the two of us."
"No, it's on the house." He pulled up his phone and showed us the text from Nate that he'd pick up our drinks.
"Such a good guy." Jenna laughed and turned, blowing a kiss up toward him.
I wanted what they had. If Jenna could pull off dating a bad boy and having her father be the DA of New York, why couldn't I? My Mom and Dad barely interacted with Thomas and me anymore. It's not like they were my hang-up. What was?
Right. Eriknotwanting anything more than what we had, which was nothing.
"Hey. You're getting in your head. Take the two shots and let's go dance. No worrying or being sad tonight about anything. Got it?" Jenna picked up her beer and leaned it toward me. "It's girl's night."
I downed the first shot, letting it burn down my chest and deep into my belly. "Okay." I picked up my beer, hit it against hers and took the other shot. "I'm going to be drunk before too long."
"Good. I'm not going to get sloppy, so you just let your hair down and have fun. I'll be here to take you home when it's over."
"Don't let me go home with anyone but you or Erik, okay?" I turned and grabbed her wrist, heading for the dance floor.
"Is Erik coming?" She moved up beside me, tucking herself against my arm.
"I don't know. I doubt it. I didn't say anything to him, but it's not like I could if I wanted to. He has an unlisted number." I hiccupped and turned, pulling her toward me and wrapping an arm around her shoulder as I danced seductively.
"Feels like college again." She gripped my hip and smiled. "Well, when you were in college with me."
"I don't miss it a bit." I took another sip of my beer. "Where is Nate?"
She glanced over her shoulder. "No clue. I gotta pee."
"Leave me here. I'll be fine." I turned and danced into the middle of the floor as the liquor worked its magic. All tension and worry dissipated inside of me and nothing mattered but the deep pumping of the base. It left me needy and horny. I wished Erik were there.
"Hey there." A deep voice resounded behind me, and strong hands slid over my hips. "You good for a dance?"
