Page 1

Chapter One
The car share dropped Gabby and Lindsay off next to a modest brick building. With her preoccupation over how quickly her life had changed, Gabby had no clue where they were in Seattle, but she trusted her best friend to know how she wanted to celebrate tonight. The line of glitzed up ladies and gentlemen extended around the corner. The place must be very popular.
“Come on.” Lindsay grabbed her hand, and they walked past the line of people to the front of the building.
Gabby Maxwell looked up at the small sign above the door.The Vault. “How did you find this place?”
Lindsay always found new places to go out for the night. Up until now, Gabby’s life had been stilted, and she’d lived vicariously through her best friend. Their weekly phone calls were full of Lindsay’s stories. Truth be told, Gabby had been a little jealous of Lindsay’s freedom.
“I know the bartender. Come on.” Lindsay led her to the entrance where a bouncer stood. “Hi, Lindsay Collins and guest.”
The bouncer looked at his phone. “Yes, Ms. Collins. I have you here. I need to see IDs for you and your guest, please.”
Gabby opened her purse and pulled out her driver’s license. Luckily, she’d placed it where it was easily accessible. The bouncer took it from her, looked at it, and back at her. He also held it up to the light and ran his fingers over it before handing it back to her. He did the same with Lindsay’s.
“Perfect. Please go in and give your name to the host; she will seat you.” He unclipped the velvet rope, and they walked through.
“I’m impressed.” They’d just passed probably a hundred people in line on a Friday night.
The host smiled when they walked up to the desk. Her name tag readMaggie. The dance music was going, and Gabby glanced up to where she could see the DJ on the second floor.
“Welcome to The Vault.”
“Hi. Lindsay Collins.”
“Welcome, Ms. Collins.” Maggie looked at a list. “If you’ll follow me.” She slipped from behind the counter and walked off.
Lindsay giggled, and they followed. Gabby looked around as they walked. The place was bigger than it appeared from the outside. There was a huge dance floor, a long bar, areas roped off, tables and chairs in another area, plus stand-up tables in another.
She looked up to where the DJ stood on the second floor and noticed plush chairs, sofas, and small tables, all separated by glass panels. Interesting. The hostess unhooked a velvet rope and walked up two stairs to the raised area and gestured to the right. It was a half booth with high back black leather seats.
Lindsay slid around the table as Gabby sat and shifted toward the middle. “There are menus and a drink list on the table. Your server will be with you shortly.”
“Holy crap.” Gabby couldn’t help her exclamation. This place was totally unexpected.
“I’ll have to thank Jesse.”
“Jesse?”
“My bartender friend.”
Gabby glanced toward the bar. There was one man behind it. He was a big enough guy that he could be a bouncer. He wore black pants and a white shirt with no sleeves. When he glanced up, he nodded and grinned. Gabby wasn’t sure what that meant. Also, he didn’t look like Lindsay’s type. “Is that him?”
Lindsay looked over at the bar. “No. He’s probably in the back. Let’s see what they have for food.” She grabbed the menu and laid it on the table between them. “I’m starving,” Lindsay said.
“Me too. You picked me up from the airport, went to your apartment, where you gave me just enough time to change, and now we’re here.” So the man who grinned at her from behind the bar wasn’t Jesse. That made Gabby feel a little better. Her friend had a habit of picking the wrong men. Gabby sighed. Who was she to talk?
“Well, don’t blame me. Your flight didn’t arrive until seven.”
“It was the first flight I could get at last minute.” Expensive as well. Not that she cared. The fight was over, and she wanted to celebrate her freedom with her best friend.
“Let’s get a bottle of Moet to celebrate,” Lindsay commented.
Gabby glanced at the menu. Her eyes widened. “It’s three hundred dollars a bottle.” She shouldn’t have been surprised at the price; they were in a high-end nightclub.
“No worrying about cost tonight. I’ll take care of it.”
“Lindsay…” she started to protest.