Page 10 of Someone Exactly Like Me (Wounded Hearts 1)
Hurry, before he feels my heart beating wildly against his chest.
Roy swipes through the pictures. “Okay, all good. Thanks man.”
“You bet. Drinks coming right up. Also, let me know if you want something to eat. I can have your food brought here.” Barry goes back behind the bar and continues making our drinks.
We unravel from the sofa and stand up, dispersing back to the bar.
“What did you order, Nicco?” Giovanna asks through her perfectly pouty lips.
“You know what I ordered Gigi.”
“I know.” She bats her thick, feathery-long lashes at him. “I know everything about you because we’ve been in love since we were little.” Her voice is now an octave higher and she’s pursed her lips into the shape of a kiss. There’s no hesitation in marking her territory.
“Gigi, go mingle.” Unphased by her flirtatiousness, he sends her away.
She sulks and walks away, flipping her long, shiny brunette hair and rocking her hips from side to side. I have no idea what their relationship is at this point, but there’s definitely some kind of long-term connection between them.
Barry starts setting our drinks on the bar top. While everyone takes their drinks and heads to the opening overlooking the dance floor, Candi and I sit together at the bar.
“I know this is more my scene than yours, but maybe you can let loose a little. Will you dance with me? You know you love dancing with me.” She gives me her little-girl smile because she knows she’s right. While the club scene isn’t my thing, I do love to dance, especially with her. “Besides, you look hot so let’s not waste this sizzling outfit you’ve got on.” She raises her glass and takes a sip.
“I feel very out of place.” I look down at my drink while a lump grows in my throat and tears swell in my eyes.
She puts her hand on my leg and rubs gently. “Hey, hey, what’s going on?”
Thankful it’s just her and I at the bar, I confess. “I don’t know. I guess I just thought I’d be in a different place in life by the time I turned thirty, you know?” I hold back the tears that sting behind my eyes because I don’t want to start blubbering.
“Oh, honey.” She takes my hand in hers and tugs a little, making me look at her. “Des, where you are is temporary. You’re just in a little slump right now. You told me you had a good writing sesh back at my studio. Who knows, maybe that photo shoot was the spark of inspiration you’ve been waiting for.”
“Maybe.” I sip my martini, recalling how hot and bothered I was with Nicco’s hands on me and then being in his arms.
“And, I’m sorry to say it, but you really need to let go of Henry. You don’t like him and whatever it is you two are doing isn’t going anywhere.” She takes a longer sip.
Oh, Henry. He’s not my boyfriend, but we go to dinner every now and then. I’m pretty sure he wants more, but there’s just no spark. Candi thinks he’s a dud and she’s not wrong.
“I know.” I sigh. “Iknow. I guess I just feel bad. He really is a nice guy. So he’s a little boring and I’m not at all attracted to him. But, it’s nice to have someone to go to dinner with every now and then.” I lick a little of the chocolate syrup and graham cracker crumbs off the rim of my glass and take another sip.
“It’s time to let him go and open yourself up to your soul mate finding you.”
The second she lays it out there is the second I wonder if my soul mate is out there or if he even exists. Is there really a soul mate for every person? I always believed there was, especially watching my parents and how in love they still are. Recently, I’ve started to doubt it. I want to believe my soul mate is out there, somewhere. But I just don’t know anymore.
“This is going to be an amazing year for you. I can feel it.” Excitement rises in her voice as she takes a big swig of her martini.
“Oh, yeah?”
“Absolutely.” She smiles so big I can’t help but smile back. “Come on, drink up. We have dancing to do.” She downs the last of her drink.
“Then dance we shall,” I announce, then lick the remaining chocolate syrup and graham cracker crumbs off the rim of my glass and down the rest of my martini.
The group is huddled at the opening that overlooks the dance floor below us. They’re dancing and drinking as they watch the crowd. Nicco’s standing off to the side, a bystander, taking it all in. He’s barely had any of his drink.
Holding my hand, Candi leads me into the group and we dance together to the thumping of the loud music. Sexual energy permeates the air above the sea of dancing bodies below us. The slippery nipple shot and martini kick in and Candi and I dirty-dance, like we used to back in the day. Every now and then, I catch Nicco watching us. I can’t blame him. Candi’s an amazing dancer and her magnetism and voluptuous body draw thirsty gazes from anyone near her.
After several songs of bumping and grinding, most of us head back to the bar for refills. Plates of fancy-looking appetizers scatter the bar top and we nibble on the delicious food. Barry serves up our drinks and everyone heads back to the opening to dance.
“Aren’t you coming?” Candi asks, popping what looks like a caviar-topped scallop in her mouth.
“Yeah, I’ll be right there. I’m going to rest a bit first. I’m getting older you know.” I wink and smile.
