Page 8 of Accidentally Perfect

“I will admit when I’m wrong man, and I was wrong.”

Troy says to me over a cocktail. We’re supposed to meet the girls later tonight, do a little dancing and whatever else the night might bring us. Troy and I are supposed to leave tomorrow morning, but I pushed the flight back a day. That’s when the girls are scheduled to be leaving for back home, New York. It’s crazy that we’re from the same city, although I wouldn’t have known it if it weren’t for Stella being so forth coming with Troy. That girl’s an open book, unlike Laney who seems more guarded. Don’t get me wrong, we talk, we’ve talked about some things but it’s really about nothing. I don’t press her, not because I don’t want to know or I'm not interested. I am interested. I’ve never been more interested, but I like the Laney who’s here, in the moment having a good time, away from a fucked up ending to her fucked up relationship. I want her to enjoy her time. She may not know it yet, but there’s going to be plenty of time for us to get to know each other. I plan on making it happen. Somehow, some way.

“Stella seems like a great chick, right?” I question Troy.

“Yeah, man, she’s a pretty sweet lady, so laid back and no nonsense.”

“Is it enough for you to think about changing your ways?”

He laughs. “I wouldn’t get all crazy, Nate. I say take it one day at a time. There’s no telling what’s gonna happen when we make our way back east.”

“You think she’s got a man waiting for her back home?”

“Nah, I don’t think Stella plays that way. She’s a straight shooter and if she had a man, then she wouldn’t have copped a feel of my Troy junior when we were grinding on the dance floor last night.” I laugh and nod in agreement. I don’t see Stella that way either. “What about you, Mr. Whitmore? What do you see in your future?” he asks raising his eyebrow.

“I think my time of meaningless is over.”

“That’s it?”

“What do you want me to say? That running into Laney was like divine intervention? She’s been able to tame my wild ways in the short amount of time that I’ve known her? Because it’s not that, man. I want her. I want what she encompasses and I want to do what I can to get it.”

“Do you think she knows who you are?”

“No, I don’t think so, and there’s another reason why I want to try with her. I want to see where this goes because I feel it can be something very powerful, if given the chance. I need a chance. A chance to find out if we can be together."

“Don’t you think she's gonna flip when she finds out that you're the Nathan Whitmore?”

“I don’t know. Either she’s not going to care or it’s going to scare her off. I still can’t understand how she hasn't heard about me, but that’s a good thing. I know for a fact Stella knows who I am because that woman doesn’t hold anything back.”

“She knows, man. She just doesn’t care, she said Laney comes from her own name, her own money and it’s not about that with her, it can’t be. She just wants to make sure she's is taken care of emotionally, not financially. She wants Laney to find it. Whatever the hell that means.” He lifts his glass up to his lips and takes a drink. “All I know, man, by the look in your eye, I think you’re totally fucked. I’m just not sure I want to be fucked with you.” he says laughing.

“When did Stella say they’d meet us?” I ask Troy in the car ride over to Inferno. Last night we found out the girls were staying in the same hotel as we were. I told Troy it was fate, he suggested it was because it was a kickass hotel, end of story.

“She told me ten o’clock, sharp. She said Laney isn’t too excited about tonight. Kinda wanted out of it.”

“Do you really think Stella would let that happen?”

We pull up to the front of the club. A valet meets us as soon as the car stops. “Thanks.” I hand the driver a couple bills. I’m sure he’ll be surprised to see that many Benjamin’s in one fare. I do the same once the valet closes our door.

“Is there a reason why you’re dropping that many bills? We haven’t even made it inside yet, man. If you’re feeling so charitable, I’ll be happy to allow you to treat all night. I won't feel any less of a man, I promise you.”

We walk into the casino and head straight to the club. Through the crowds of people, I can sense her before my eyes even find her. Once I find her though, she is such a sight, so beautiful. She’s wearing a tight green dress; the same color I now know to match her eyes. Her milky skin is slightly sun kissed, highlighting her freckles. Her hair is an inferno of red flames that fall down almost to the small of her back. I can hear her signing, not very well, and slightly off key, but she owns it and she isn’t embarrassed by the number of people who are stopping to stare. She has courage, strength, and a sense of humor. She has compassion, a drive and so much more. I’m not sure what other words can describe her other than amazing. Laney is simply amazing, and by the end of the night, she’s going to be simply mine.

“Nathan.” I hear the warning in Troy’s voice.

“Yeah?”

“Don’t do anything stupid, you got me? Let’s have fun tonight and you and Laney can continue it back in New York. Take it slow, like normal people.”

“Troy, when’s the last time you knew me to do anything slow and normal?”

“That’s what I’m afraid of, man.”