Page 54 of Reckless Hearts

She giggles. “Right. Let’s go dance.”

The night is cold, fitting as it’s winter in the desert. I’m wearing a fitted black shirt that clings to my torso, paired with dark jeans that hug me in all the right places. Saskia’s dressed in a sparkly silver mini dress, her long legs accentuated by sky-high heels.

We have to queue to get into a club. The line snakes around the block, with the neon lights of the strip casting an otherworldly glow over the crowd. Snippets of conversations in various languages float over the distant thrum of bass from inside the club. Vegas really is an international playground.

Inside, the club is a futuristic fantasy come to life, with holographic dancers projected alongside real ones. We find ourselves at a circular bar in the center of the room, where robotic arms assist human bartenders in creating cocktails that look more like science experiments than drinks. Saskia orders something that changes color as you drink it, while I choose a local craft beer.

Saskia gives me a gleeful grin as she sips her cocktail. “We’re not in Dunedin anymore.”

“No, we’re definitely not.”

We scope out the club as we sip our drinks.

“You want to guess what everyone here does for a living?” Saskia asks.

“What do you reckon they’re all social media influencers and aspiring DJs?”

“Hey, don’t forget the cryptocurrency experts and life coaches.”

“Ah yes, the four horsemen of the millennial apocalypse.”

Saskia almost snorts her drink out her nose.

“That’s an attractive look on you,” I say.

“What can I say? I’m bringing the sexy snort back.”

“I guess I should be grateful you didn’t ruin my shirt, unlike the great mojito incident of 2014.”

She tips her head back to laugh. Then, she finishes the last of her cocktail and raises an expectant eyebrow. “You ready to hit the dancefloor?”

I drain the remainder of my beer. “Sure thing.”

The pulsing beat vibrates through the air as Saskia and I start to dance. A tall dark-haired guy catches my eye and starts making his way over. As he gets closer, I angle my body away, focusing on Saskia. The guy hovers for a moment, then melts back into the crowd.

Saskia moves closer to me so she can speak into my ear. “I’m starting to think I should have packed your game in my suitcase because you seem to have misplaced it. You’re ruining our reputation as irresistible Kiwis.”

“Just because I’m not hooking up doesn’t mean I’m not still irresistible,” I shoot back.

“Seriously though, you’re acting like a nun in a strip club.”

Actually, Saskia, I’m not interested in hooking up with any of these gorgeous guys because, for some reason, I can’t stop thinking about your little brother.

That voice inside my head wanting to tell Saskia the truth has been getting louder.

What would she say if she knew Seb and I had been fooling around?

Is that all you’ve been doing?the same voice asks.

I don’t know if I want to answer that question.

Maybe I should just rip the Band-Aid off and tell her. Because if Seb and I are going to continue when I get back, she really needs to know.

And I really, really want to continue things with Seb.

That knowledge seeps into me.

I still don’t think I’ll make a good boyfriend, but Seb…Seb makes me think it might be worth trying.