Page 6 of Obsessions of the Heart

“Really, Lay?” She tilted her head, hand on her hips, and looked me up and down. “Who are you, and what have you done with Layrin? She would never offer to go clubbing with me.”

My nose scrunched up when she said the word “clubbing,” but I gulped and gave a curt nod. “Yes. If that's what you want.” She squealed, grabbed my hands, and started to jump up and down.

A regular at the counter tapped his mug with a spoon, signaling for her to come and refill it, but she zipped around and yelled, “You will wait your goddamn turn, Gavin, or I will tell your wife you’re having that cherry pie you’re not supposed to!” Gavin immediately put his spoon down and mumbled his apology, eyes on his newspaper.

She faced me again, mischief peppering her gaze as she tugged on hand. “After our shift, come over to my apartment. We’ll take home some dinner from Mel and get ready at my house.” I opened my mouth to tell her that I needed to get my one good dress from my place, but she lifted her hand. “Nope. You’re just going to borrow one of my dresses and heels. This is going to be great!”

Grabbing a coffee pot, she went down the line at the counter, doing her refills with a little pep in her step.

Ugh! What did I get myself into?

Chapter 3

Iwas really starting to regret my decisions. Vivian had somehow convinced me to let her give me a “club girl” makeover. Supposedly, it was essential for her to have fun. At first, I thought it was okay, giving her something to focus on other than that loser Jimmy, but now I wasn't so sure.

When we got to her place, she already had some guy waiting at her door with a toolbox. She slipped him a couple twenties, and he changed out her locks. She quickly threw a bunch of Jimmy’s things into a trash bag and left it out front with a note that said he was her problem now. Eyes glossy with tears threatening to spill over, she came back into the house. I was going to step up and give her a hug, but she closed her eyes, took a couple shaky, deep breaths, then opened them with a smile and focused all her attention on me.

Standing in front of her full-length mirror, I almost didn't recognize myself. I was wearing a skintight baby blue off-the-shoulder dress that rode up my thighs, causing me to tug down the barely there hem every few steps. Partnered with a set of silver heels and my hair down in big wavy curls, the only thing missing was a neon sign with an arrow that said “Come fuck me” on it.

Vivian came out in a similar sexy skintight white tube-top dress and red heels that matched her lipstick. When she handed me this dress, she told me I would fit in it better since I had bigger boobs, and I had to admit I was glad she had given me something with a little fabric on my arms.

She clicked her way over to me, twirling some of my hair in the process. “I know you’re oblivious about this kind of thing, but fuck, Lay! You look hot as shit!” My cheeks bloomed with heat before I looked away. I had always been uncomfortable with people giving me too much praise for… well, anything. Miss Vaughn would often use the switch on me if I got too cocky about anything, always reminding me of my place in this world. Just to the trauma bucket.

I gave her a small smile, glad to see a little pep in her after today. “Let's go before I change my mind.” She smiled wide and squeaked her excitement then snatched my hand, grabbed her clutch, and flew out the door, not allowing me a moment of hesitation.

We walked a few blocks and got some cat calls, to which Vivian flipped them off, telling them they didn't have enough dick or money for us. They backed down at her angry girl persona, but I checked for my lipstick knife just in case one of them thought they could try to take us. You always had to be ready for that kind of shit.

A shiver ran up my spine, and I looked around, trying to figure out where that feeling had come from. Over the years, I’d been able to hone skills that I’d learned while living in the orphanage and on the streets after I turned eighteen. One of those was to be able to sense when someone was watching me. I snapped my head around to where I thought I felt the eyes, but I was met by an ATM.

“What’s up, Lay?” I glared at the machine, still experiencing that sensation of being watched, like I was the prey and my predator was close. I shook it off and smiled at Vivian.

“Oh, nothing. Always trying to be careful in the streets, right?” She looked around, taking me seriously, then squeezed my arm and faced forward.

“Always the dependable and smart one. I feel so safe with you.”

I looked back at the ATM again, glaring at it before I told myself I was crazy. I didn’t want to ruin the night with my overprotective reactions. Tonight was about Vivian and helping her forget that loser.

It wasn't long before the pounding of the music could be heard from around the block. The closer we got, the more I could feel the vibrations from the concrete running up my legs. “Watch this,” Vivian whispered, then she tugged me along, strutting up to the bouncer.

She placed her hand on his arm, rubbing it up and down as she gave him her hundred-watt smile. “We would like to get in.” The bouncer looked down at her, then to the line that went around the corner.

“There’s a line to get in.”

She laughed into the sky before she looked back at him. “I don't think you understand. We want to get in now.” She took her other hand and slowly ran it down my front, her fingers digging into the thin dress with the tease of some girl-on-girl action.

I tried not to fidget, hating when she did this kind of shit, but I knew it would work. It always worked. Vivian had a knack for knowing just how to push a man. I needed to move this along, so I waited until her fingers got right below my stomach then gasped in pleasure. That had him fumbling with the rope, telling us to go in.

Vivian pushed me forward despite the crowd’s complaints. I looked back to see her whisper something in his ear and give him a kiss on the cheek before turning away to smirk at me.

She looped her arm through mine, giddily pulling me closer so I could hear her. “That was great thinking!”

I rolled my eyes and shrugged. I knew she wouldn't give up or back down. She would’ve stayed there all night if she had to, and I didn’t want to do that. I wanted to get in, dance, and drink the right amount before we needed to head home by midnight. Nothing good happened after midnight.

We shoved our way through the throngs of drunk or high people. Bodies crashed into us, hands wandering, and Vivian pushed someone before we got up to the bar. The bartender glanced at Vivian and held up a finger, telling her to wait. Before she blew up, I managed my way in front of her, calling out to him. He did a double take and immediately came over to us. Well, I guess Vivian’s makeover was worth it.

“What would you like, beautiful?” His hollow words made me want to roll my eyes and call bullshit, but the parched look from Vivian had me putting on my best diner smile.

“I need two vodka tonics, extra lime.” He winked at me starting to make our drinks.

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