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Loud, flickering lights and wall to wall people.

I’d rather be home in my pajamas watching TV.

This had been an absolute mistake. This was not her scene.

She didn’t fit in and felt like a fraud in her dress and heels.

Keely had insisted on doing her makeup. As much as it looked pretty, it wasn’t her.

Charley was strictly a mascara and lip gloss kind of girl.

She scanned the area. It was nice to have a separate space.

Crowded places like this always amped up her anxiety.

It didn’t help matters that Keely abandoned her ten minutes ago in search of the “mysterious” back room.

Even after her friend’s explanation, Charley didn’t understand the excitement over an alleged secret VIP room.

But she didn’t argue or object. As much as the passes to the club were a gift for her, this night was for Keely.

Charley grabbed her drink and sipped it through the straw. She wasn’t a big drinker, but Keely insisted she try at least one cocktail. So far it was the highlight of the night. The sweet sugary beverage went down faster than she’d expected. On her last sip, she realized she’d finished it.

The waitress, who’d been extremely attentive, walked over before Charley even placed the glass on the table. She smiled and bent down, leaning closer.

“Do you want another one? Or would you like to try something else?”

Another drink? She’d only been at the club less than thirty minutes. It seemed excessive.

“Drinks are completely covered, so if you want to try something but decide you don’t like it, I can get you something else.”

She widened her eyes. “Really?”

The girl chuckled. “Yeah, you’re VIP.”

It was quite the offer. An all-expense paid night at the X-Lounge must’ve cost a fortune.

She may as well try and enjoy it while she had the chance.

If the money had come from her pocket, she wouldn’t be here.

It may not have been her scene, but it was for plenty of people.

The line outside, wrapping around the building, proved that.

Those patrons would be waiting for hours if she had to guess. That’s crazy.

“Okay, can I have another one please?” Charley pointed to the table.

The waitress grabbed her empty glass. “You sure can, and I’ll bring another water so you can pace yourself.”

“Thank you.”

Charley scanned the club in search of Keely. It was impossible. The crowds were so thick it was a wonder anyone could move. Was this really people’s idea of fun? As she looked around, she quickly realized she was the odd man out in her thinking. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Charley casually looked around, taking it all in.

There was definitely a different vibe from the first time she’d been inside.

The music, the lights, the people. And the energy.

The DJ stage was set up higher than the dance floor.

As she circled her gaze around the room, she noticed the balcony.

There were four men in suits lining the railing.

Most had their backs to the room except for one in particular.

He was staring in her general direction. Or is he looking directly at me?

Charley angled her head as a woman passed by her table, obstructing her view.

When she moved, Charley squinted then gasped.

Nash. She froze in her seat and locked her knees.

He was staring at her with an intense gaze.

Her heart immediately fluttered, and her stomach swirled.

She’d been adamant to Keely about not wanting to see him.

But dressed in his suit, his arms braced on the railing, watching her?

She wouldn’t have wanted to miss this. She offered a jittery smile. Her nerves were at an all-time high.

She couldn’t just sit there gawking at him without some type of acknowledgement.

She lifted her hand. It was shaky, but she was hoping he wouldn’t notice as she gave a small wave.

The gesture wasn’t returned, but his mouth softened, and the corners of his eyes eased.

He lowered his chin before straightening.

“Hey!” When the table jerked, Charley jumped in her seat. “Still no luck finding the exclusive VIP, but I refuse to give up.” Keely grabbed her glass. “Let’s go walk around.”

Leaving the safety of the table was the last thing she wanted. Besides, seeing Nash had been the highlight, and she was hoping for a repeat performance.

“I’m waiting on my drink.” It was the perfect excuse. For five seconds.

The waitress headed to their table and placed her glass on the table. “You need anything else?”

Charley mustered up a smile. “No. Thank you.”

As she walked away, Keely moved around the table. “Come on.”

“You don’t want to just hang out here?”

Keely raised her brows and widened her eyes, “We can’t just sit here all night, Charley.”

Why not? If it was up to her, that’s exactly what they’d do.

“Look, we always have the VIP table to come back to, but we should check out the club. I know you’re not into dancing, but we can at least people watch and hit the bars. I think they’ve got three. Chances are neither one of us will ever get this opportunity again. Let’s make the most of it.”

If she never came back, it’d be fine by Charley. But she recognized this might be Keely’s only time too. Charley casually glanced over her shoulder and shifted her gaze to the balcony. Three men were still standing at the railing, but none of them were Nash. It seemed their small moment was over.

She slid off her stool and waved Keely to take the lead.

Making it off the VIP platform had been easy as most people were on the dance floor.

A fact that became clear as they weaved through the dense crowds.

It took close to twenty minutes to make it to the other side of the room.

Thankfully, they had drinks and didn’t need to wait in line at the bar.

They were tucked in a corner taking in the scene.

“Isn’t this great?”

Charley clamped her lips and nodded. No.

“Maybe we’ll run into your guy.”

“He’s not mine, Keely!” she shouted over the music.

Keely eyes sparkled, and she winked. “Not yet.”

Oh hell. Charley needed to act fast before yet another embarrassing situation arose.

“I need you to promise me, if we run into him, you won’t say anything.”

Keely snorted, rolling her eyes. “Of course I won’t. I will play it cool.”

Did she even know how to play it cool? Charley loved her best friend, but Keely had a habit of speaking before thinking.

She forced herself to stay calm and relegate all thoughts of Nash to the back of her mind.

After all, there were so many people, the chances of seeing him again or randomly bumping into to him were slim.

Charley drew in a breath, and the knot in her chest loosened.

This was going to be fine. What could go wrong?

Famous last words.

Thirty minutes later, she found out. Among the massive crowds on the dance floor, they’d gotten separated, and now Charley was wandering aimlessly trying to find Keely.

She’d checked the table twice, but she’d lost her bearings.

There was an opening to the hallway, and she’d seen signs for restrooms. It was the one place she hadn’t checked. She slipped past a group of women.

Charley squinted and slowed her steps, putting her farther into the hallway.

When her phone rang, she dug into her pocketbook and pulled it out.

She assumed it was Keely but was caught off guard with the “unknown caller” on her screen.

Usually, it was a telemarketer, and she’d ignore it, but for some strange reason, she answered.

“Hello?”

“Is this Charley Hudson?” The husky voice was vaguely familiar.

She moved closer to the end of the hallway and rounded the bend. It was far enough away from the club’s main floor to drown out the music.

“This is her.”

“Charley, this is Officer Becker. Do you remember me?”

Remember him? How could she forget? He’d been the nicer of the two when Cody was taken in to the rehab.

“Of course, how are you?”

“I’m well, thank you. Just wanted to check in.”

Her heart raced, and she blurted. “Do you have any information on my brother? I haven’t heard from him yet.”

“Actually, that’s the reason for my call. Cody doesn’t have phone privileges, and he won’t for a while. But I wanted to let you know he’s doing good. Adjusting well to the program.”

She placed her hand on her chest and collapsed against the wall. She couldn’t have asked for better news. Cody’s past stints in rehab had always been a struggle at the beginning. The first week had been painful through the withdrawals, and he’d often resisted the help being offered. A true addict.

“That’s great.”

“Yeah, he’s been to some group meetings, and the doctors say he’s progressing well.”

She knitted her brows. Cody was in group meetings already?

“Already? His last two rehabs, he didn’t start group therapy for at least three weeks.”

There was a long stretch of silence. So long that she pressed the phone to her ear, thinking the call may’ve gotten disconnected.

“Hello?”

He cleared his throat. “Sorry about that. Uh yeah, this is a new program, I guess. It’s working.”

She smiled and nodded. Who was she to question it?

“Do you know when I’ll get to talk to him?”

“Not yet. But maybe soon. Until then, I wanted to reach out and put your mind at ease. He’s doing good, Charley.”

She drew in a breath and slowly exhaled. “Thank you.”

“While I have you, just want to remind you that the deal we made with him going to rehab versus prison is a little unorthodox, as I explained.”

“I understand.”

“And for that reason, you shouldn’t mention the events of that night.”

“I haven’t.” It wasn’t exactly something she wanted anyone to know. Even with Keely, she’d given a very condensed version of the actual events with no details.

“Good. Well, I have to run, but I’ll be in touch again.”