Page 9 of We're One

“Why in the hell am I still attracted to the man when I know what a pig he is?” I throw my arms in the air.

Nikki smiles. “He’s hot. We can appreciate beauty while still knowing it’s poisonous.”

“Well, I’m not going to fall for his charm again.”

“So you didn’t take the job?”

I cringe again. “No, I took the job. It pays too much to turn down, and if I can show this job on my website it will really boost business. I can’t let my messy emotions keep me from a great business opportunity.”

“You’ll be fine,” she says, then hops up. “I’ve been on the computer all day and you’ve been stressed so we need to go out.”

I shake my head. “I’m not in the mood.”

“I don’t care. You always say you’re not in the mood, then you’re totally into it. We’re going out and I’m not taking no for an answer.”

It’s useless to keep arguing. We’ve played this game many times before, and she always wins. If we were in prison, I’d certainly be her bitch. It is what it is. I get up and head to my tiny room to pick out an outfit. It has to be a dress, or she won’t let me out of the house, which isn’t a bad idea, but she’ll only make me change. She’d prefer I get more figure-hugging and shorter dresses, but I can’t change who I am, so she’s caved on my way of dressing. I really do love my bestie. We balance each other. I help calm her, and she helps break me from my shell.

I get dressed, then Nikki fluffs my hair. My glasses are left behind and I relent on the bright pink lipstick. I do like how she does my hair and makeup. I always feel so pretty, which is never a bad thing.

Before I can change my mind, we’re heading out of the apartment and stepping into an Uber. There’s no point in driving in downtown Seattle as neither of us are comfortable driving in wall-to-wall traffic. We can walk, take public transportation, or get Ubers. It all works. Then we don’t have to worry about having a few drinks.

As we enter the club, the music is sexy, and the crowd enthusiastic. I smile. I do enjoy going out when Nikki talks me into it. If it wasn’t for her, I’d probably never leave our place as I’m perfectly comfortable sitting at home, vegging out on my favorite television series of the moment. This place soothes my soul though.

We find a table in the back and order a couple of drinks. It doesn’t take long to down them, then we’re ready to dance. We aren’t out too long when a man approaches us. He leans into me, his smile confident, his attitude clear. He thinks he’s a catch.

“You ladies look beautiful.”

“Thanks. Go away,” Nikki says barely giving him a glance. He turns his full attention on me.

“Let’s dance,” he demands. I give him a winning smile and see the satisfaction in his eyes.

“I don’t do playboys. You can play with yourself instead of me,” I tell him. His eyes widen in shock before he ducks his head and sulks away.

We lose ourselves for a good thirty minutes before we take a break. We head back to our table for a second round of drinks, but the music soon calls us back to the dance floor. We don’t need men to enjoy ourselves. We simply need a few drinks and great music, and of course, each other.

I’m dancing when a shiver races down my spine. I sense a body behind me and then warm breath whispers across my neck as a greeting is spoken in a low, deep voice... that I instantly recognize. What in the heck are the odds for this?

I turn, my heart thudding in my chest, and come face to face with Zach. He looks at me for a moment with a bit of confusion, then light dawns in his eyes. I should, once again, be offended it took him a moment to recognize me. I do look much different from how I looked earlier, especially without the glasses, and wearing expertly applied makeup, but I’m a bit sensitive when it comes to this man.

“Sia?” he says as if questioning himself. He seems a bit floored. Do I look that different? Well, that was the goal, to go from business professional to free woman out for a night on the town, so I should look different.

“Hi, Zach,” I say before I remember I want to use his last name so I can keep some distance between us. It seems so strange to do in a club setting though.

“I guess we’re meant to keep running into each other,” he says.

“You need to work on your pickup lines.”

He throws his head back and laughs, and I refuse to admit how much I like the sound of his enthusiasm. He had me wrapped around his little finger nine years ago, and it wouldn’t take too much to be wrapped around his entire body again. I can’t let this happen. I can’t afford the adult heartbreak. It nearly killed me at eighteen. It would most likely cripple me now.

“We know each other,” he says. I see his eyes narrow a bit as if he’s scratching at his memory. This sends me into a whole new panic. I don’t want him to remember me. I was offended at first, but if he remembers it’s going to change everything. There’s no way I can do the job if he places me as the girl who was basically his willing slave for weeks.

“I’m sure it’s the club lights. It makes all of us women look the same,” I tell him. I’m not normally a liar, but this one lie is imperative for my very survival.

“Let me buy you a drink,” he says, his charming smile firmly back in place. I stare at him for a moment and realize he’s one-hundred-percent confident I’ll agree. I wonder if any woman has ever turned him down. My guess is no. He’s incredibly handsome, obviously successful, and the air of confidence about him is quite appealing. I probably wouldn’t turn him down, if there wasn’t already history between us.

“No, thank you. Have a great night.” I begin to turn away, seeing his shocked expression, and don’t get far before he reaches for my arm. He’s not rough by any means but he doesn’t appreciate being dismissed.

“Why not?” he asks. His voice is so dang sure. He must think he can change my mind.

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