Page 8

AMELIA

It’s been a week and Tia and Maya magically convinced me to go out again. Usually, I need at least two weeks to recover and recharge my social battery, but I don’t want to be a party pooper. So, what the hell. I could use a pick me up after the whole running into Jared incident.

“Isn’t this a little too short?” I glance down, running my hands down my frame. The smooth black satin skims my palms and stops a few inches shy below my ass. If I so much as bend over, I might as well flash the whole club.

Maya’s face fills my screen, in nothing but a black bra and underwear, looking around her closet also debating on what to wear.

“You’re kidding right?” She chuckles glancing at me, before pulling a mesh sheer black top from the hanger and slips it over her head. “It’s not short enough babe.”

I step back from my phone, propped against the mirror, and glance over my outfit once more. The plunging V-neck mini dress clings to my body like a second skin. Not my usual go-to, but damn, do I feel good in it.

I flip my hair in every direction, trying to add more volume, definitely feeling lightheaded now but it’s always worth it. Big curls are a must.

“Every guy’s gonna be staring at you tonight, wishing they could kiss your feet.” Maya says, tugging on a mini black sequin skirt and giving a little twirl to check out her behind.

“I don’t want that.” I cringe, shivering dramatically.

She laughs. “Do you want me to pick you up? I can swing by. I’m saying no to alcohol tonight.”

“Wait, what? You always drink when we go out.”

“I work early tomorrow and have a shit ton of brands on my roster to create content for.” She groans, snatching her phone up and walking toward her living room. “But, I’m not about to miss a night out.”

My phone dings.

Caleb

I’m picking you up.

Thanks but I think Maya’s going to take me.

Caleb

Tell her to save gas. I’m on my way.

You don’t have to drive all the way here lol!

Caleb?

hello??

k

Caleb

I tell Maya I don’t need a ride after all and we hang up. Not even thirty minutes later, there’s a knock at my door.

I swing it open and there he is.

Wearing all black that accentuates how in shape he is. The knitted top clings to him, hugging every inch of muscle. His brown hair slightly ruffled and jawline is still sharp as ever.

“Hey, pretty girl. You ready?”

“Bringing that nickname back, huh?” I tease, giving his arm a playful jab.

“It suits you,” he says, scratching his head. “You um…look gorgeous by the way.”

“Thanks Hayes, you’re not so bad yourself.”

“Calling me by my last name now?” he fires back.

“It suits you.” I snicker, repeating his words then I snatch my purse off the counter, shutting the door behind us.

I catch the faint curve of his grin as I walk past him and chills ripple through me when his hand brushes against the small of my back, gently guiding me toward the elevator.

It’s such a simple gesture, something he always does, but it never fails to make me feel like he’s always looking out for me.

Caleb and I walk into the dim club, lights flickering all around us.

The DJ, wearing neon glasses at the front, bobs his head while spinning the turntable, and everyone’s having a good time.

We meet Tia, Maya, and Amir at the reserved VIP area, scooting into the booth away from the chaos and sweaty bodies for a moment.

Tia looks absolutely breathtaking in a yellow mini dress with a halter neckline that pops against her sun-kissed skin, long auburn hair and wispy bangs perfectly blown out. Amir matches her with a yellow button down shirt.

“I’m getting us some shots!” Tia shouts over the music.

“Skip me, I drove.” Caleb shakes his head.

Maya raises her finger unenthusiastically. “Me too.”

“Water for you two it is.” Tia nods, looping her arm through Amir’s and head toward the bar. “Be right back.”

“And I’m going to dance.” Maya singsongs as she rises, smoothing down her skirt before scooting down past Caleb and me, hips swaying as she heads down the steps.

Now, it’s only us in the booth. He leans back, resting an arm casually along the back of the seat, and I can feel his eyes burning into me.

I glance over, lifting a finger and circling it around my face. “Is there something on me?”

His eyes avert in an instant, straightening up his posture. “Nah.”

As I scan the VIP section, my eyes land on a pretty redhead practically staring into Caleb’s soul, clearly trying to get his attention. Which is to be expected.

“You don’t have to stay with me, I’m sure you’d have more fun dancing with her.” I say, nudging his arm.

“Who?”

I jut my chin toward the woman, who’s now twisting her top. “Her.”

He tilts his head down, trying to hear me over the loudness of the music. “Say that again.”

“The red head over there,” I repeat, raising my voice slightly.

He finally follows my gaze, then turns back to me like I sprouted a second head.

“I don’t want to talk to her,” he says firmly. “Probably not the best move for me right now.”

Oh shoot. How did I forget that?

A month ago, I saw online that he was at a release party with our friend Marcus for Vanessa Noles.

Yes, Vanessa Noles, who is in fact in every single one of my playlists. She has a song for every mood.

Lonely? Check. Happy and disgustingly in love? Check. Got cheated on by your boyfriend, the one you thought you were going to marry, but he turned out to be an asshole?

Specific but yes. She does have a song for that too.

Anyway, the next day, my feed was flooded with photos of him kissing her with headlines and comments like:

Hayes isn’t who I thought he was.

Homewrecker Hayes should be his new nickname.

I should’ve reached out and asked him how he was feeling, what he was going through. I should’ve been there for him the way he’s always shown up for me.

But we weren’t really talking that much. And I’d only overheard bits from Tia, so I didn’t push.

“I’m sorry... I forgot about?—”

He gently shakes his head. “No… no. You have better things to worry about than my gossip problems.”

Still, guilt twists in my stomach.

“Maybe you can try and have a good time tonight still? Because um, she’s coming over here.”

“I guess but I’m sitting here with you, she’s not gonna just walk over and?—”

His voice trails off as she saunters up to our booth, pushing her chest up and eyeing him up and down like a tiger ready to pounce and I take that as my cue.

“Told you…just relax tonight and try not to worry about the media,” I whisper before scooting away and giving him space to do whatever he decides.

Tia and Amir trot over with drinks, sliding Caleb his water before handing me a shot.

“Who’s the knockout?” Tia slides to the other side of the booth, glancing at the girl who’s currently laughing at everything he’s saying.

“Some girl gawking at your brother.” I reach for my shot.

“Well,” she shrugs, grabbing her glass, lifting it in the air. “To Amelia, for starting fresh!”

In more ways than one. New job. New apartment. New life, basically.

I beam, raising my tiny glass of courage and clinking it against theirs before tossing it back. The hot liquid travels down my throat, and I grimace at the abrasive taste. A cough escapes as I wipe my lips with the back of my hand.

As the thumping of the music surrounds me Caleb’s words loop in my head. Six words.

There’s no set timeline on healing.

Five shots in and the room is tilting with every blink. Heat coils throughout my body, spreading down to my fingertips.

Caleb and the red head are on the dance floor, his hands resting on her waist while hers loop around his neck, pulling him closer. I’m glad he’s having a good time, he needs it after the month he’s had. One night won’t hurt him.

“I’m getting another drink!” I shout over the pounding music as I rise, tugging down my dress and grabbing my purse only to stumble a little on my heels.

“I’m coming with youuu,” Tia slurs, pushing up onto her feet, eyes red and glassy.

Amir glances up at me with a full-blown father look. “Sit for a few more minutes.”

“No!” I shake my head rapidly. “You two stay. I’ll just be right over there. Enjoy yourselves loooovebirds.”

“Don’t go too far, alright?” Amir calls after me, his voice laced with concern.

“Got it, Dad,” I say with dramatic air quotes, already heading down the VIP steps, weaving through the crowd and tossing out “excuse me” more times than I can count.

Finally, there’s an opening at the end of the bar and I drop down onto a stool, spinning lazily around.

I raise a finger to the bartender as I lean against the counter. “Vodka tonic, pronto please!”

Maya shimmies her way over to me and twirls my seat around so I’m facing her. “You look like you’re having a good time.”

I nod as my head lolls forward. “Most definitely.”

“It’s about time.” Maya cups my face in her hands, looking into my eyes like she’s examining me. “But, take it easy with the drinks, sailor. You’re not a heavy drinker.”

I wave her off, laughing. “I’m fine.”

The bartender slides my shot across the stone bar top. “Rough night, ladies?” he asks, a thick British accent instantly catching my attention and it warms my insides up.

I still hate men, don’t misconstrue. But come on, he’s British.

He looks older, only by a few years, with light scruff along his square jawline, dark black hair, and sleeve tattoos stretched all down his buff arms.

Maya says nothing but I’d bet my savings that she’s eye-banging him right about now.

I turn my head to check.

Yup. I’m right.

“Not really.” I toss the shot back with a laugh, answering for the both of us. “Just having fun tonight.”

“Perhaps I could be a bit of a distraction?” His gaze now locks on mine as he pulls the rag off his shoulder, wiping down the table in a deliberate, slow motion. “Only for a minute or two.”

Heat rushes to my face.

Maya leans into my ear, whispering, “His accent alone could make me do some questionable things.”

My lips twitch in amusement.

He pumps sanitizer into his palms, scrubbing together before offering his hand. “Matteo Hawthorne. Nice to meet you, love.”

Maya squeezes my thigh and cocks her head at me, whispering in my ear again, “I’ll be watching you from over there, but if he tries anything funny, he’ll be missing his dick by morning.”

I cough into my elbow at her overly specific threat, dismissing her with a grin.

I turn my attention back to Matteo and take his hand. “Amelia.”

“No last name?” he asks, giving my hand a light squeeze.

“You’ll have to earn that,” I say with a quiet laugh, meeting his dark eyes.

Then the familiar scent of amber and spice wraps around me and I don’t have to look to know who it is.

“There you are.” Caleb appears beside me, sliding an arm around my shoulders.

“Where’s your new girlfriend?” I tease, lifting a brow as I glance up.

“How funny.” Caleb huffs, eyes fixed on Matteo.

Matteo’s grin falters slightly as he bounces his eyes between us. “Well, I suppose that’s my cue. It was lovely to meet you, Amelia.”

He strolls down the bar, greeting the other customers and I let out a quiet sigh.

“Sorry,” Caleb says, his jaw tight. “Didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Did he interrupt? Not at all. It was a harmless exchange and my half-assed attempt at living out the advice Maya’s been drilling into my head post-break up: If you can’t get over someone, it’s time to get under someone new.

I’ve been getting a lot of advice and I think it’s time to start implementing it.

Time to stop sulking around over a man who didn’t care, Amelia.

“You didn’t,” I murmur, fanning my face with one hand.

Saliva pools in my mouth and the alcohol isn’t on my side tonight.

“Hey,” he says, dipping his head to meet my gaze. “You okay?”

“Mhm,” I say, trying to convince myself at this point.

“Doesn’t look like it.”

I shake my head, swaying. “All good.”

“Let’s go.” His voice firm as his brows knit together. “You look like you’re going to barf any second.”

“What? No.” I try to hold his gaze, but the room keeps spinning. “I’m not leaving.”

“You’re being stubborn.”

“Am not.” I attempt a step, only for my legs to betray me.

He catches me instantly, hands at my elbows. His face is right there, inches from mine. “Let’s go,” he says soft-spoken this time. “Please?”

My stomach flips again. Shit. Okay yeah, I need to get some air.

“We should probably say bye to everyone first,” I mumble.

“I’ll text them. Come on.” He presses his hand against the small of my back, guiding me toward the exit. No room left to argue.

And I had no desire to anymore.