Page 20 of Scandalous Contract

CHAPTER FIVE

STEFANIE

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RONNIE WHISTLED LOWunder his breath the moment I stepped out of the bathroom.

“Biiitch!” His eyes trailed down my body, taking in the full effect that was me. “You tryna snatch up somebody’s son tonight, aren’t you?”

I smirked, smoothing my hands down the sides of my black dress, trying not to let him see just how affected I was by his word choice.

Somebody’s son. Julian Cattaneo.

Stop it, Stefanie!

“Sometimes, I’ve got to remind myself that I still got it.”

“Girl, you never lost it. We’ve gotten older, not less gorgeous. I see the comments people post online about you and the cute outfits you wear on television. You’re Mississippi’s favorite weather diva. Those guys on social media are thirsting for you.”

I chuckled. “Much to India’s embarrassment.”

“Tonight is not about my goddaughter. It’s about us having fun. I want you to loosen up some tonight, boo.”

“What if someone in the club recognizes me?” I asked, starting to worry, as I always did.

“Girl, these folks here don’t watch your news channel. It doesn’t even broadcast here. And if they do recognize you from social media, so what? Enjoying your life isn’t a crime. Plus, we look toogoodtto be worried about anything tonight.”

Yes, we did. I turned to stare at myself in the full-length mirror hanging from the closet door. I was in love with the woman who stared back at me. She lookedgoodt,as Ronnie said. The dress hugged me like a second skin, dipping low in the front just enough to show off the swell of my breasts, my gold necklace dipping into the valley between them.

My dress stopped mid-thigh. All my morning runs had my thick thighs looking toned. My back was bare, smooth, and glowing from the shea butter I’d lathered on. My hair was a wild, curly crown, free and full, giving off that big hair energy that I loved.

Gold earrings dangled from my ears, matching the bracelet around my wrist and the anklet that glinted against my skin with every step. I looked like a snack, as the kids today said. Too bad there wasn’t anyone around to gobble me up.

Ronnie’s phone dinged. He checked it and then said, “That’s our Uber.” He clapped his hands. “Let’s go shut the city down.”

By the time we got to Neo Night Club, the parking lot was full, and the bass inside was already vibrating through the walls. The line was so long that I almost changed my mind about going in.

Luckily, Ronnie was a local celebrity. He winked at me as we strolled past the line of people still waiting to get in. Being the owner of one of the hottest restaurants in town had its perks. So did being the best friend of that owner.

Inside, the air was thick with vape smoke. Bodies swayed under flashing lights, the music so loud it felt like it was beating inside my chest. Ronnie led me through the crowd, his hand on my back as we maneuvered toward the bar.

“Two tequila sunrises,” he told the bartender, then turned to me with a grin. “First round is on me.”

Tequila!

My nemesis.

Tequila had gotten me in trouble a few times over the years. I took the glass when it arrived, clinked mine against his, and downed half of it in one go.Trouble, here I come.

“Fuck it!” Ronnie exclaimed. “The second round is on me, too.”

He brought us another round of tequila sunrises. A tiny voice at the back of my mind was telling me to slow down. But the music blaring through the club was telling me to shake something. I could feel the tequila running through my veins, warming me up.

“Let’s dance,” I told Ronnie.

He didn’t say anything, just grabbed my hand and pulled me to the dance floor. For the first time in a long time, I didn’t overthink things. I didn’t care who was watching or what they might say.

I wasn’t worried about a video of me shaking my ass being circulated through social media. I wasn’t concerned with my daughter seeing said video and being upset with me. The only thing I was concerned with was unwinding and letting myself feel alive for a change.