Part 23 (2/2)

How to explain without sounding nuts? ”Okay. This was the way it worked back home. Nina showed leg. Nat showed leg and b.o.o.b. I, however, only showed a bit of cleavage. I never really liked my legs, but I like my rack. Not wanting to show too much, I always chose to expose rack, rather than leg. Capisce?”

She looked at me dumbfounded for half a minute before gaping. ”You're dumb as s.h.i.+t, baby. You're lucky you're cute to boot.” With that sentence, she showed me why I liked her. She reminded me of the relations.h.i.+p I have with my sisters. I loved that.

Saying that, we barely agreed on clothing. We almost got into fisticuffs over it. Finally, I decided on a multicolored green leaf-print chiffon number. The dress was long, but draped and sheer, requiring a miniskirt underneath, and showing a healthy amount of b.o.o.bage. After having tried it on and examining it under every possible light source, I deemed it okay. When I gave in, Felicity almost collapsed with grat.i.tude. ”Thank f.u.c.k for that! Moving on!”

She spent a good part of the next hour doing my hair and makeup, lightly curling my dark hair, leaving it in long tresses down my back, and making my eyes dark-rimmed and smoky.

I had to admit...I liked the way she did it. It looked hot, and that's not a word I would use to describe myself.

We argued again over shoes. I didn't like heels, never did. I liked strappy sandals or low-heeled wedges. This was simply a comfort thing. I tried on eight pairs of shoes before Felicity let me off wearing nude strappy sandals. Thank the Lord. With myself done, Felicity got to work on herself. If I hadn't have seen it myself, I wouldn't have believed it. She managed to get herself looking supermodel-runway-ready in forty minutes. And I secretly hated her for it.

She decided on a white b.u.t.ton-up dress. Who knew she could make something so wholesome look so s.e.xy. Undoing the top three b.u.t.tons to let her black bra show, she wrapped a black belt tightly around her waist and slid on a pair of black strappy sandals. Looking down at her shoes, I scowled at her.

She rolled her eyes. ”Oh, please. If you were as tall as I am, you'd get it. Try meeting a guy looking like an Amazon. Guys don't like chicks being taller than them. Sad, but true.” Running her fingers through her hair, she put on a ton of mascara and glossed her lips, then folded up the short sleeves of her dress and turned to me, grinning from ear to ear. ”We look good, baby, but I swear to G.o.d if Max doesn't notice you tonight, looking the way you do, I'll buy you a dozen of those cupcakes you like in consolation.”

Already salivating, I almost yelled, ”Deal!”

This was going to be interesting.

Helena The moment we arrive at The White Rabbit, something feels different. For the first time since I've been in New York, I feel happy to be out amongst the people, without feeling tired. I guess everything was coming together in its own way. And I'm happy for this. Felicity and I stroll up to the entry, where B-Rock, the ma.s.sive, bald-headed African-American security guard, makes us kiss his head before getting in. He is a sweet guy and tells us his wife, Honey, had just given birth to their fifth child the previous week. He gets double kisses for that.

Felicity and I hold hands as we sweep through the crowd over to the stairs, where a new Alice is manning the out-of-bounds, family-only, VIP area. Having been here a few times before, I know the protocol. Smiling, I start, ”Hi. We're on the list. Helena Kovac and friend.”

The Alice doesn't lift her eyes to us. With her head down, she checks the list and lets us in without a word spoken. Most people would have thought that b.i.t.c.hy, but I can see immediately the girl is just shy and probably not used to working with people.

We make our way up the stairs, and before I hit the top step, I see them. Nat, Mimi, Lola, and Tina sit on one side of the booth, while Nik and Trick sit on the opposite side. They're all smiling and laughing, already having a good time. I can't help but feel my stomach coil at not seeing Max sitting there. I mean, I know the guy has to work, but I was still hoping to see him. I mentally hang my head in shame.

Okay, okay. I'll be honest. I really just came here to see him. Ugh. I know. Pathetic.

I paste on a smile, link my arm through Felicity's, and walk us over to the booth. ”Hi, guys,” I call as we approach the side. The women turn to me smiling, but quickly gape.

Nat is the first to speak. ”Holy s.h.i.+t.”

Tina blinks, and then adds, ”Yeah, I second that.”

Lola whistles. ”d.a.m.n, Lena.”

Mimi ogles me appreciatively. ”Oh yeah, I'm liking that dress.”

A blush heats my cheeks. I mumble, ”Ah, thanks. I don't think you've met Felicity before,” then I pull her with a jerk, throwing her in the line of fire. Felicity handles it like a pro, greeting everyone with smiles, handshakes, and compliments on what they're wearing. It's like she was made to be around people.

I slide in next to Nik, and Felicity sits by my side, already talking away at the girls. I hear conversations going on around me, but I don't hear much of anything being said. I'm too busy looking around. Looking for someone.

”He's downstairs, in the security room with Ash,” is whispered into my ear.

My cheeks flame. I look up at Nik, and stammer, ”I don't know...I mean, I wasn't look-” He raises a brow as he looks down at me, and I know I'm busted. I slump. ”Was I that obvious?”

He lowers his voice a notch. ”Not to anyone but me. I see all.”

I sit and smile with no feeling, pretending to listen to the conversation as I sip my drink. I should get up and dance. I should ask Felicity to dance with me. That's what people do when they go to clubs, don't they? They dance...I think. Nudging Felicity, she takes the hint and steps out of the booth. I tell everyone, ”We're going downstairs to dance,” but we somehow end up at the bar, talking to Sheriff and downing shots of tequila.

After four shots, I know I'm starting to become intoxicated. How do I know this? Firstly, I'm starting to think everything is hilarious. Secondly, I'm beginning to lose function of my legs. Felicity pulls me to stand. ”Come on; let's dance!”

As I stand, I wobble on my feet and we both burst into laughter. Sitting back on my stool, I utter, ”I might sit this one out. You go ahead. I'll watch.”

Not needing any more prompting, she heads out into the sea of people, and soon enough, she's b.u.mping and grinding with a very attractive guy. And this guy is taller than Flick. Bonus.

Felicity: Would you be totally p.i.s.sed if I went home with this guy?

I focus hard on my cell's screen before laughing out loud. Finding her in the crowd with my eyes, she pouts, and I respond to her text smiling.

Me: No way! I'll only be p.i.s.sed if you don't get an o.r.g.a.s.m out of it. Have fun!

I look up at her, and the random dude is sucking on her neck. Reading the text I just sent her, she lifts her thumbs high in the air. I blow her a kiss and turn to the bar. Someone occupies the stool next to mine, but I don't look over. I yell out over the music, ”Sheriff, I need another shot over here.”

But the person next to me reaches over the bar and gets two shot gla.s.ses and a bottle of tequila. He places a shot gla.s.s down in front of me and I gape. ”I don't think you're allowed to do that,” I tell him.

I look up, and smiling, golden eyes meet mine. ”Sure I can.”

And my heart swells. Smiling like a loon, I lean forward and wrap my arms around his neck, squeezing him to me. ”Max! I was just thinking about you! I missed you!”

I feel his body still. ”You missed me?”

”Duh!” Oh man, I must be completely hammered. ”I've been looking for you!” Make that obliterated.

His arms wrap around me. He gives me a gentle squeeze before releasing me. His golden eyes look down into mine as he says in all seriousness, ”I've been looking for you too.”

Not quite wanting to let go of him, I place my hand on his thigh and smile up at him. ”I dressed up.” I thank the G.o.ds above for leaving out 'for you'.

His eyes sweep my see-through dress and flash a moment before they hood. He mutters hoa.r.s.ely, ”I can see that. You're stunning.”

That's about the time I ramble. ”My friend Felicity helped me. I don't really like all the girly things. I mean, you've seen my undies. I don't really know how to make myself appealing to the opposite s.e.x. I must've missed that cla.s.s.”

Max makes a choked sound before downing his shot, then my own. Coughing, he wheezes, ”You're looking for a man tonight?”

My mind suddenly sobers. I smile softly, but it's forced. ”Sure. I mean, I'm only human, right? I have needs like anyone else.”

He eyes me good before saying, ”You want to know how to be appealing to the opposite s.e.x, Lena?” My eyes widen. Max is about to impart his wisdom on me. He'll give me the key to his heart. I need to listen, and listen I will! Lifting a hand, he gently pushes stray hairs away from my face, lowers his lips to the sh.e.l.l of my ear, and whispers, ”Just breathe, baby.”

My breath leaves me in a whoosh. Then I say the stupidest thing I could ever say right now.

”Please kiss me.”

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