Page 26 of Through You
“You have got to be kidding me.”
INSOMNIA.
Apolo’s voice echoes in my head:I went to Insomnia, Artemis’sbar, by pure fluke, and I got drunk there.
But of course Gin has passes for the bar that Artemis Hidalgo owns. What could possibly go wrong?
Nine
Creating a space.
CLAUDIA
Insomnia is a classy club with modern furniture, sleek decorative accents, and a bar that takes up most of the ground floor. Much like the idiot who owns it, this is a very sophisticated establishment.
Despite the club being full, we manage to move around without bumping into others, which is fantastic, and the opposite to every other club we’ve frequented, where I often find myself crushed by the crowd.
Gin screams in my ear.
“This is too cool! It’s the most exclusive club in the city, I am shook!”
Her happiness is contagious, and I smile as we make our way to the bar. Gin orders two drinks.
“You’re okay, Claudia. He’s not here.”
Artemis has had this place for a while. It was gifted to him when he turned twenty-one. Apolo told me that Artemis put someone he trusts in charge of its operation while he was finishing school, and now that he’s busy running the family business, he just oversees it. I doubt Artemis frequents the place.
Gin makes a toast, and then we take a sip from our drinks.
The flavor is fruity, and the alcohol is strong but bearable.
“What’s this called?”
“It’s an orgasm.”
“You’re fucking with me!”
“Nope,” Gin says, her eyes fixed on something behind me.
Oh my god. Please don’t let it be Artemis.
“It’s him!”
I turn around to get a look at the person she’s screaming about, and I notice a tall blond guy with boyish looks and green eyes. He’s quite attractive but not really my type. He’s coming our way, and I spot another guy walking behind him. This one is taller, with dark hair and piercing black eyes, the kind of guy who intimidates everyone. His face is manly, with strong features. His hair is styled messy and looks sexy. He is definitely my type.
“Gin.” I need to clarify something. “Which one do you like?”
Please say the blond, please make it the blond.
Gin bites her lip. “The blond guy. He gave me the passes.”
He recognizes Gin and comes over.
“Claudia, this is Victor. And Victor, this is Claudia.”
I put my hand out. “It’s a pleasure.”
Gin and Victor start a conversation. I look at the dark-haired guy, but he walks past us and moves farther inside the club. He doesn’t even acknowledge me. I don’t know what I was expecting.
