Page 34 of One More Kiss

JEN

As I rushto the elevator, I keep hearing Katy Perry singing in my head. You know. The song Waking Up In Vegas. She's totally right, too. I need to stop being a baby and own my truth. If only I could remember what truth that is. It’s all so blurry.

I dig out my key card for my room and as the door closes behind me, I lean against it. I spin all the locks—just because, then turn back around, close my eyes, and slide down to the floor.

Bits and pieces of last night start to trickle in. Drinking. Dancing. Zane kissing me. Whoa. He kissed me. He wasn't even drunk then. I was slightly tipsy, but I was aware enough to kiss him back. For my heart to flutter in my chest as he groaned and pulled me tight against him. We kissed and kissed as we just kinda swayed on the dance floor, even when the music was thumping and people were jumping all around us.

Then people started to recognize him, more than one phone was pointed our way, so we left and went to a more exclusive club where only the rich and famous get in, where people don't take photos and sell them off to—Oh no.

My eyes fly open, and I pull my phone out of my purse. There are 13 missed calls and 27 text messages from my friend Tia. I groan, then call her.

I don't even get a word out.

"What the fuck, Jen! You and Zane?!" she screeches, then laughs.

I groan. "Tell me it's not on the gossip sites."

She snorts. "Gossip sites? It's all over TV! The press are eating it up, dying to know who the girl is that hooked Zane Masters, because we all know he doesn't make anything public."

"Lord have mercy," I pray.

"He's not going to show you mercy today. Were you—was he…"

"Drunk?" I question.

"Yeah, I mean…"

"Nope. I was tipsy, but he'd only had one drink. I don't remember some of what happened, but it's coming back in bits and pieces," I admit.

"Your mom's going to flip and your dad's going to lose his shit! He always knew there was something there, but you two and your refusal to admit the truth placated him. What the hell happened, Jen?"

She sounds way too excited and happy about this.

"I woke up in his bed—"

She squeals.

"Naked and sore in all the right places.”

Squeals again.

"And…"

She gasps. "There's an ‘and'"?

I sigh. "Yep."

"Well, tell me you bitch!"

"As I was getting dressed, ready to do the walk of shame, I found a tattoo on my left ring—"

Squeal.

"Finger of a heart-shaped lock and yesterday's date." I gulp.

Silence. I wait a few seconds.

"I have no words."

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