Page 12 of Heartless

“Does the dress say, ‘I’m on the path of becoming the next best-selling novelist?”

The corner of her mouth twisted, and she flicked invisible lint from the hem of her dress.“Yay for you.You’re a genius for graduating in Comparative Literature at nearly twenty-four.”

“Gabby,” I gently chided.

Swatting her fingers, she mumbled, “Yeah, I know.I know.Your mom.But all I’m saying is you didn’t need a degree in writing.You either have talent, or you don’t.”

While I breathed out a renewed wave of grief tightening my throat, she gave me a slow once-over before standing up and walking toward me.

Varik, the personal shopper Nigel had hired, had been passionate about style, and he had taught me about colors, textures, and shapes.

I was wearing one of my ‘playful’ choices.It was a high halter neck, short ochre dress with threads of gold that made it shimmer, and I’d done a heavy smoky eye make-up in browns that made my eyes pop while my hair fell into soft curls down my back.

I loved the look, and I felt sexy and comfortable.

Gabby shook her head, and her nose scrunched up.“The black dress would be more slimming, and the makeup is trying too hard, Nana.”

I sighed.“I love the dress, and we’re celebrating, remember?We’re gorgeous, so let’s go dance.”

She took my hands.“Nana, this is your second time in a nightclub, and the Silver Shell istheclub where everyone goes, I just want you to be comfortable.”

Geez.It’s just an outfit.

She crossed her arms on her chest.“I know it’s just an outfit.It’s just the wrong one.”

Shoot.I’d blurted again.Mom had always found the missing filter between my brain and my mouth funny.She used to say it was because my heart was so big, it couldn’t help but speak its truth.

Gabby’s face clearly indicated she didn’t share my mother’s beliefs.

Then she confirmed it.“Stop being weird.”Twisting on her heels, she snagged her purse.“Let’s go, and don’t bitch when people stare at you.”

She spent the whole ride on her cell while I clutched my fingers around my purse.At the club, I followed her as she strolled past the long line of customers to give our names to the bouncer.

He unlatched the thick, red rope and stepped aside.“Ms.Ashford, Ms.Winslow, welcome to the Silver Shell.”

While Gabby pranced past him, I replied, “Thank you.”

He winked.“You’re welcome.Have fun.”

Fortunately, being in the club improved Gabby’s mood.She grabbed my hand as we descended the stairs.“Stay close, Nana.”

After we’d stopped on the main floor, Gabby expertly forged us a path through the dense wave of people until we reached the bar.While we waited, she scanned the room.

“You in that dress, I’ll get you a whole bottle of whatever you’re drinking,” a man said over my shoulder and very close to my ear.

Whirling around, I watched the young man as his cute face edged closer.“Wow.Those lenses hit.”

People had made a lot of comments about the color of my eyes, but this was one of the nicest ones, so I smiled back.“They’re not lenses.”

He slid a flirty gaze over me, and the corner of his mouth kicked up.“Golden goddess.I’m—”

The next second, I was staring at the back of Gabby’s head, who’d wedged herself between me and the nice man.“Blah, blah, she’s not interested, so you can go now.”

The stranger stepped back and upped both his palms.“Sorry sexy, I didn’t know your girlfriend was the jealous type.”

As he stalked away, I turned to my friend’s flushed face.“Gabby, that was rude.”

“You’ll thank me later.This guy’s always here.”