Page 143 of A Sky Full Of Stars

Thomas: Summer said you were out tonight but can I see you?

The three little dots appear and disappear many times, and I get my hopes up. She’s likely thinking of an excuse, but it’s more than I expected to receive so I’ll take it as a win, and I’m not opposed to begging. I wait for what feels like the longest minute before getting a reply, and I’m shocked at her answer.

LLS: You can, but I’m working. If I tell you where, you can’t talk to me until I’m done

Shit.I swallow a lump in my throat as inappropriate images flood my mind. Lainey dancing in a club, Lainey slowly removing her clothes. Lainey and I…alone. Lainey…Fuuuck.Nope. I’m going there to make sure she’s okay. That’s all. And, if she’s letting me visit her, then I already know Luke’s wrong.

I stare down at her reply before taking a deep breath and agreeing.

Thomas: I promise. No talking

The three dots torture me again, and just when I think she’s changed her mind, a text comes through.

LLS: Address incoming

She sends me the details, and I immediately put the address into the GPS on my phone, heading straight for the door, booking an Uber as I walk. My phone rings on the way over, but I ignore it, assuming it’s Luke asking if I decided to go. And even though I’m doing exactly what he asked, he doesn’t need to know that.

The driver’s quiet as he follows the maps, but when he pulls up outside a little Spanish restaurant, he smiles. “This the place?” he asks with some kind of knowing look.

“Ahh. Yep?” At least I think it is. I look around, taking in surrounding stores, but they’re all closed. “What is she playing at?” I mumble to myself. This is the same place she mentioned she workedyearsago and…

My mind reels for a second until a thought hits me, and I throw my head back, barking out a laugh. I’ll bet she’s messing with Luke. She’s back at her old job, waitressing, and letting Luke stress behind the scenes.

I thank my driver, and while walking inside, I consider calling Luke to rub it in, but when I catch two well-dressed men disappearing into an unmarked door before a beautiful young woman steps out, I realize I’m wrong. This isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a front.

But for what?

Less than a minute later, I have my answer.

It’s a speakeasy.

Lainey works in a speakeasy. And it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.

I drink it all in as I slowly walk toward the bar before mindlessly taking a seat. The decor has a 1920s feel to it, but they’re playing modern music, and the staff are wearing modern clothes too. I stare in awe, my eyes bouncing from woman to woman, trying to find my pink-haired beauty but having no luck.

“I’m guessing it’s your first time here?” someone says from behind me, drawing my attention away from my thoughts.

“What gave you that idea?” I ask with a slight laugh, completely aware that I look out of place with my awed expression.

The woman knowingly smiles as she shakes her head. “The wide eyes, the dropped jaw. Not to mention you almost missed your seat.”

“I did?”Jesus. “This place is mind-blowing.” That’s the best way to describe it.

“That it is. What can I get you?”

“Uh, I’ll take a whiskey neat.” I’m so distracted that I momentarily forget I’m trying to cut back on drinking, and when I turn back around, that only gets worse. The stage is now lit up, showcasing a six-piece band on the side, dressed beautifully in evening wear, and a singer in front of them. The rest of the stage is empty, save for a couple, wearing barely there outfits as they dance to a song that sounds like it could be the Jonas Brothers.

Masses of bodies move on the dance floor in front of them, while others sit at banquet tables around the edge of the room, watching with rapt attention as they eat. It’s not exactly what Luke thought it was, and yet, it’s still wildly sexual, and I find myself instantly addicted.

When the song ends, I spin around and apologize to the woman, grabbing my whiskey while pretending not to notice how amused she is at my expense. Maybe the alcohol will rid me of the tightness I’ve held in my chest since I arrived back in town and ease the strange tension I’ve felt since walking into this club.

After once again scanning the room for Lainey, I hide my disappointment when I don’t find her and instead lean back against the bar, resting one elbow on the edge as I take my first sip.

The live music starts again, drawing my attention, and this time I recognize the song—“Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey.

As I watch the stage, I take another sip of my whiskey and freeze with the glass resting against my lips, my heart faltering as the world around me stills.

Lainey glides onto the stage dressed in a silky blue dress that hits just above the knee, her feet bare, and her long pink hair flowing freely down her back. Her elegant dress may look more like a nightgown than a costume, but it doesn’t worry me like it would worry Luke. Everything about her is breathtaking.

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