Page 120 of Meant to Be

JOSIE

Belle and I lazed on the beach for the better part of the morning. Eric, John, and Nick joined us and thankfully, it wasn’t awkward. We tanned, swam, and ran around, like we were teenagers again.

When Nick reached for my hand under the water, I felt a startling chill in my bones, reminding me that this is all going to come to an end soon. I’m going to hurt him, one way or the other.

After eating lunch by the water, Belle and I retired to the room to drink, dance, and get ready for the night out. I’ve had a blast. Escaping from my thoughts for a day has been refreshing.

The afternoon passes in a blur and soon, we’re stumbling down the stairs to meet everyone in the lobby. It seems like we are the last to arrive. Our heels clip in a loud echo around the room as we descend the stairs.

I’m dressed in a red dress that is sticking to my body like second skin. It has a deep neckline, showing off a lot of my chest. I’ve matched it with nude heels and dangly, gold earrings. To finish the look, my hair is in waves down my shoulders and my lips are coated in a bright, red lipstick.

Belle had gone with a plainer look, a pale, sleeveless dress which is longer at the back than the front. Her hair is pulled into a high pony, showering off her slender neck and delicate collarbones.

It’s starkly clear that we have lived in the city, considering none of the other girls are dressed up as much as we are and suddenly, I wonder if I’ve overdone it.

“Wow, you girls look incredible!” Shannon grins.

“As do you!” Belle smiles.

Nick and Harley both go to walk over to me at the same time, causing them to bump shoulders. They glower at each other and I sigh, exchanging a glance with Belle.

This is going to be a long night.

* * *

I feel good.

Reallygood.

The music is loud—so loud, my ears hurt—with the ground and the walls shaking around me. Belle and I jump around, lights flashing so bright there’s dots across my eyes. We shout the lyrics so loud our throats turn raw.

Sweat gathers over my forehead as we loop arms, spinning each other around. I feel delirious. Drunk on life, drunk on this moment. I haven’t had this much fun in … possibly ever. I’ve been out, I’ve partied a lot, but it hasn’t ever been like this.

My eyes scan the dark club, looking for my favourite pair of eyes. The room spins and I blink slowly, trying to let the world right itself.

There.

Harley is leaning onto a table, slowly spinning a glass in his hand, his eyes drinking in every move my body makes.

My feet propel me forward. He meets me halfway and my fingers slide into his. He’s dressed in a white shirt that is so thin, I can see his dark tattoos underneath it. The light flashes red over his skin, giving him a devilish glow.

The palms of my hands soak into his chest and run down his stomach, feeling every bit of hard muscle.

A slow smile spreads over his handsome face.

“Josie,” he murmurs, and I somehow can hear him, despite the thundering music pulsing in the air. “Hey.”

“Dance with me.”

I pull him after me. There are bodies crammed on the dance floor, twisting and gyrating to the music. I slip my arms around his neck, flushing our bodies together. I feel the sweat through his shirt.

My body slides down his and I bounce on the floor, before shimmying back up. Every line of my body pressing into his. His hands find my waist before sinking over my backside, bunching up the fabric. I move my hips, loving the feel of his fingers catching the movement.

Right now, I forget about everything. I forget the eyes on us. It’s Harley, me, and the music.

Harley’s eyes devour my skin as I step back and spin, throwing my head back as he yanks me close again. His scent fills my nose, intoxicating me.

He is so beautiful. So warm. My head feels light as I gaze up at him.