Page 10 of Ink & Desire

“What happened?”

I recount the entire conversation with Corbin up to the moment he threatened to call the cops.

“Did he actually call the cops?” Cass asks, eyes wide.

“No,” I say. “I left before he could. I wasn’t trying to have my name in a police report. That wouldn’t go over well at the foundation.”

She laughs. “Would it get you on the do-not-hire list?”

“Doubtful,” I say drily. “My mother would find a way around it.”

“It sucks that Corbin turned out to be such a dick,” Cass says after a few minutes. “I was really hoping he’d see your portfolio and decide to take a chance on you.”

“Me, too,” I agree.

“Eh, fuck that guy,” she says. “You’ll find some other place to apprentice, and he’ll be sorry he missed out.”

I smile. “Thanks, Cass.”

Fuck that guy.

I ignore the little shiver that goes through my body at Cass’s words. I hadn’t been totally honest with my best friend. I’d told her everything that happened at the shop today, but I hadn’t told her how sexy Corbin had been in person. His photos online had done nothing to prepare me for the reality of his presence. He’s tall and broad-shouldered with colorful tattoos covering both arms. His dark hair is on the longer side, but his beard is neatly trimmed. His dark eyes had only added to the intensity of his presence. Unfortunately, I hadn’t been able to study him nearly as much as I’d wanted to before everything had gone to shit.

I also hadn’t told Cass how the simple touch of my hand on his arm had sent a jolt of awareness through me. And okay, yeah. He does smell delicious. When he’d towered over me, arms folded over his broad chest, for a split second, I’d pictured his hands on me and his large body between my legs. My hands had itched to touch more than just his arm. But I’m not going to tell any ofthat to Cass. She’d pounce on the idea and encourage me to go fuck his brains out, apprenticeship be damned. And I doubt that would help me get the job. Besides, I’ve already decided to avoid Corbin James for the rest of my life.

We spend nearly two hours eating and talking before we take another car to the club I picked for tonight’s outing. I’ve never been there before, but everything I’ve heard says it’s one of the most popular clubs in the city. Which means it’ll be crowded on a Friday night. That’s just what I want. Crowds of people dancing, music too loud for me to think about all that’s wrong in my life, and my best friend by my side. What more could a girl want?

The club isn’t overly crowded when we arrive, but it’s still early. I took Cass’s advice earlier and wore the red dress she'd deemed my ‘slutty dress’ two years ago when I’d bought it for a party we’d attended. At the time, I’d been hoping to impress a hot guy from one of my impressionism classes, but he’d been totally oblivious to the charms of the strappy, red garment. His loss. I’d gotten plenty of other attention that night. Most of it had been unwanted, though. Tonight however, I’m just fed up enough to welcome some attention from strangers. Besides, I’m young, hot, and single. According to Cass, this is the best time for me to make mistakes and have random hookups. Not that I’m planning to hook up with anyone tonight. But a few dances with some hot guy won’t kill me.

The line to get inside moves quickly and it’s not long before Cass and I are walking through a dark club with thumping music so loud I can feel it in my chest. I let the atmosphere and the music push all the negativity from my mind as we make our way to the bar for drinks.

“This place is perfect!” Cass says after we order. “We’re going to have the best night!”

I don’t quite share her confidence, but I give her a wide smile and hope she doesn’t notice. When the bartender returns with our drinks, Cass reaches for her card to pay. Before she can, I hear a male voice from my left speak up.

“Put it on my tab. Ladies this beautiful shouldn’t be paying for their own drinks.”

I look over to see a good-looking guy smiling down at me. His blue eyes gaze at me with undisguised appreciation and I feel my face heat.

“Thank you,” Cass says when I fail to speak up. “That’s so sweet.”

He nods. “Of course.”

“Yes, thank you,” I manage before taking a sip of my vodka cranberry.

The guy is cute, but he’s not really my type. Not that it really matters. It’s not like I’m looking for my future husband tonight. I’m just here to have a good time. I don’t plan to see anyone here again after tonight.

“What are you ladies up to tonight?” he asks.

Cass’s mouth stretches into an excited smile, and she hops up and down. “Just out celebrating. She passed the bar today!”

She shouts the last part loud enough that half the club probably heard her, even over the music. At least a dozen heads turn to look in our direction. A few people clap and some even cheer. I could kill her. I really could. She knows I hate being the center of attention. Now I’m supposed to be a fucking lawyer? What the hell? Cass used to do this back when we were in college. Except back then she’d tell people it was my birthday or that I’d just gotten engaged. Once, she told a group of guys I’d just gotten into medical school. One of them had actually been pre-med. He’d asked me for tips all night. Like I knew the secrets to getting admitted into med school? I sometimes think about that guy and wonder if my shitty advice ruined his chances to become a doctor. Did Cass’s quest for free drinks keep a future doctor from being able to find the cure for cancer? I hope not.

“Congratulations,” blue-eyes says, leaning close enough so I can hear him over the music.

“Um, thank you,” I say. “It’s not a big deal.”

His brows furrow in confusion.

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