Page 31 of Forever Fighting
“A TV producer looking to have me as the star of her show.” For some reason, I don’t mention that it’s Adam’s company. She said she wanted to pitch it to the higher-ups, which means he likely doesn’t know about it yet, and I don’t want to bring Adam up right now.
Not when we’re having such a good night and she looks happy.
“She’s barking up the wrong tree there, though I’m shocked you’ve never agreed to do your own show since you have done some guest spots on others.”
I drink down half my bourbon. “That was a long time ago. Besides, I like my privacy. Come on,” I say, offering her my arm. “Let’s get you some dessert.”
She loops her free arm through my elbow and rests her hand on my forearm. “I never say no to chocolate. How late does this event go?”
“Another hour, but I was told we have to stay for drinks after the soft opening ends, and then we might be dragged to the club to celebrate more, so it could be a long night for us. You up for a little fun and adventure Vegas style?”
“Tonight I’m up for anything.”
10
BRAELYN
There’s a mariachi band playing in my head, loud and intrusive, and it makes me both dizzy and nauseated. I take mental stock of my surroundings without opening my eyes. I’m in a bed, tucked under the covers, but I’m wearing something weird. A bathrobe maybe? Why am I wearing a bathrobe?
Flashes from last night flicker through my head.
Roman’s restaurant opening. Drinks with the staff after it ended. Shots. We all did a couple rounds of shots, and that was after the two cocktails I had at the opening. After that gets hazy. I stretch my mind and remember the club. We all went to the club in the hotel and had VIP access and table service.
The music pulsed through me as everything glittered gold around us. Roman had his hand on my lower back, keeping me close. Probably because I’d stumbled a few times, but it didn’t matter. I’d had the best time tonight. Leaf, Lydia, as well as a few of the other chefs and bartenders, were with us as we were led by a hostess to a semi-circular booth with a high back and a view of the dance floor. Everywhere we looked, glitz and glam sparkled.
Bottles of alcohol along with mixers were ordered. Roman wasstoic, taking in the scene around him with quiet introspection and an almost imperceptible grin. He was happy, and it was a good look on him. One I didn’t get to see too often. It was almost as if he never allowed himself to be that way and it broke my heart.
“Cheers!” Lydia sang out, pouring a round of expensive tequila into shot glasses. “To Decision.”
“Yes!” I cried, holding my glass up and nudging Roman.
“To Decision,” he agreed, and we all drank down our shots.
“Come dance with me?” I asked.
I got a look. One I couldn’t quite read. It felt like he wanted to, but something was holding him back. Still, he stood and held his hand out for mine, and we made our way to the dance floor. Alcohol was flowing through my veins faster than Niagara Falls. I was drunk and I knew it, the room dipping and swaying, but the current through me was as delicious as it was intoxicating.
“I’m having so much fun!” I told him, wrapping my arms around his neck for a brief moment, only to release him and start to move my hips to the beat.
He spun me around, his hands on my hips, his mouth by my ear. “I’m glad, kid. You deserve it.”
I placed my hands over his and gave them a squeeze. He did this for me. He brought me out here and bought me this dress and got us this ridiculous villa. I’m so happy right now. It felt like I was floating on a cloud. All of the darkness I came to Vegas with felt like it had evaporated. Everything was new and exciting and I wanted all of it.
I lost myself in the beat, my eyes closed and my body moving.
Roman’s hands stayed on my hips, trailing up and down the slope to my waist or a little lower to the crest above my ass, but always returning to my hips. He was close. His chest to my back and the two of us danced for I don’t even know how long.
We took a break, more drinks pouring down my throat.
“How come you two aren’t married yet?” Leaf asked as he sat back and watched a few women dancing in tiny dresses not far from us.
I snorted a laugh. “Um, because we’re best friends.”
“What?” Capshaw, one of the bartenders, gasped out. “No way. You’re not a couple? You look so comfortable with each other. Like you’ve been together forever.”
“Well, in a way, we have been. But I was engaged to someone else until last week,” I told them.
Everyone’s eyes widened.
