Page 49 of Dance for Me

Take your Shot

Vanessa not walked but crawled to the coffee pot because her head was pounding. When she thought about the amount of whiskey her and Jack polished off by themselves, she wasn’t surprised. She poured her cup of joe and then read the, oh so famous note, Jack was good for leaving.

Morning little Brussel sprout,

thought you could use the present I left.

Also, hosting an annual business party here tomorrow night. Can’t get out of it. Be back soon.

“Brussel sprout.” She chuckled then took two aspirin he left her and washed it down with the glass of water he left next to it. “Ah, my hero.”

Business party, she thought. Well, his place was definitely large enough for one. She smiled at the memory of him falling asleep with her and how he held her close against him all night. She would have thought she was dreaming, had she not woken up at some point and still felt him there.

She sipped her cup of coffee and answered a few texts from Doug. She hadn’t seen him since she left her place. Maybe, just maybe she would invite him to the party tomorrow tonight.

She took her cell and called Jazz.

“Hey hon, good morning. How’s it going over at the hot and steamy casa de Jack?” She cleverly asked.

“Actually, it’s going great. Unless you count the amount of times I want to throw myself at him with every chance I get but other than that, it’s perfect.”

“Admitting it is the first step to any problem, or non-problem,” she laughed.

“Anyway… what’s this business party Jack’s hosting tomorrow night?”

Vanessa got up slowly and fed Sprinkles, keeping the phone propped to her ear with her shoulder.

“Oh, it’s one that Jack hosts every year. It’s all the local head honchos. Mostly owners of other night clubs around.”

“So, does that mean we can invite whoever we want?”

“Yeah, don’t see why not. Oh! Invite Michelle, Owen and I adore her. Super nice and she’s fun! Which we need in our lives.”

“I was thinking of inviting Doug, too…” There was a moment of silence on the other end. “Jazz?”

“Um… I would probably say no. Have you guys been hanging out again?”

“Not since I left my place. It’s why I wanted to invite him. Just as friends Jazz, I swear. I don’t want anything else with him.”

“Okay sure, but does he know that?” Jazz asked.

Didhe know that? Vanessa really had no idea. She was trying her best to not lead him on. She liked the fact that her and her ex could be friends. No hard feelings, even though she had plenty to be upset with him for. But she let it go and forgave him. So, no harm, no foul.

“Well, I’ll make sure to tell him.” Vanessa plopped back down in her seat, holding her head in her hand. “Wanna go shopping for an outfit to wear before the party tomorrow?

“Uh, YES! Don’t have to ask me twice. I’ll call you tomorrow morning. Byeee!”

* * *

Vanessa sat on the sofa, with a glass of wine and dim lighting, staring out onto the city. Because apparently, nothing can cure a hangover except another hangover. Jack didn’t come home all day and she didn’t leave like a good little girl. This stalker guy was seriously pissing her off. She sketched, made some dinner, and was now relaxing to the beautiful city. It was funny to her, it felt almost natural for her to be here.

She had on her super short night shorts, long sleeve loose sweatshirt and hair in a loose ponytail. The only thing she was missing was Sprinkles on her lap, but she decided to hide out in the bedroom.

She heard the door open and Jack walked in. He eyed her up and down, starting from her breasts all the way down to her bare feet, he yanked his gaze away and grabbed a beer from the fridge.

“So… any new information?”

“Well, we caught the bastard slipping the envelope under your door. The camera from the corner of your hallway shoots right to him,” he scratched his two-day old scruff. “But the stupid fuck had his hood up. So, we couldn’t see his face but if they zoom in and work on enhancing it, they might get a good picture of him.”

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