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“Thanks, girl!”
A little while later, we finish dessert, pay the check, and decide to enjoy the nightlife.
We dance our hearts out at this club nearby. Strobe lights are everywhere in the dark place. Bodies are on the dance floor and the bar. The DJ blasts one song after the next, keeping everyone dancing. Two drinks in and I begin to relax and let loose.
I’d go out more often, if Kami and Kiera weren’t busy with wedding plans.
I continue to dance the night away with Josie and her friends next to me.
“Ready for another?” I shout in Josie’s ear against the loud music.
“Hell, yeah,” she shouts back at me.
I give her a thumbs-up before walking up to the crowded bar. After a few minutes, I manage to get the bartender’s attention. “Two Lemon Drops, please.”
“Her drinks are on me.” I look over to a tall man standing next to me. Vance Shaw, my neighbor growing up, points to me as he talks to the bartender.
Though I didn’t know the Shaws that well, I did go to high school with Vance’s younger brother, Ryan. I was just starting freshman year of high school when Vance left for base camp to become a Marine. In my young eyes, I remember him as a guy with shaggy blond hair that covered his brown eyes. Now I look at him, and see nothing but muscle with a buzz cut that shows off his sharp jaw line, intense eyes, and strong facial features.
He then turns his attention to me with a smile. “Hey, Knight.”
“Vance!” I’m stunned. Of all the people I could have run into…“Long time, no see.”
“You got that right,” he says as we give each other a brief hug. “How are you?”
“I’m good. What about you? What brings you here tonight?”
“You know, having fun with some friends. And you?”
“Same.”
“How have your brothers been? Last I heard, Jonathan was working on starting a company.”
“Yes. He and Jake run KH Industries.”
“Really? That’s fantastic.”
Our conversation is interrupted when the bartender sets two full glasses in front of me.
“Thanks for the drinks, by the way.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
“How’s your brother?”
“Playing college football, currently.”
“Good for him.”
“Are you still living with your parents?”
I shake my head. “I haven’t in years. I’m living in an apartment not far from the city. I heard you joined the marines.”
He nods. “Yes, ma’am.”
“That’s amazing. Where are you currently stationed?”
He chuckles. “Nowhere right now. I’m home permanently.”