Page 54 of Alluring

Steph stopped walking in the middle of the walkway, tugging on Alexis's arm so she would face her. "Why on earth would you wish that?"

"Because if he were just a guy, I wouldn't worry so much about where this relationship is going. If he were just a guy, I would know I was good enough for him."

"Alexis Rose Taft," Steph said, sternly, "you are good enough for anybody. Even the bloody prince of England. Do you hear me?" Steph gave Alexis's arm another little tug to bring her closer. "You're sweet, caring, funny, smart, and a fuckin' knockout all in one package. Jack is lucky to haveyou. Not the other way around."

"Steph, you're my best friend. You're supposed to think that, but it doesn't necessarily make it true."

"Jack thinks it is. Why do you think he snatched you up so fast? Pursued you so hard? Had you living with him in less than two months? Because, he knew what you were and didn't want to take the chance of someone else finding out, snatching you up instead."

Alexis linked her arm in Steph's and started walking again. "Listen, I'm not trying to sabotage our relationship. What I was attempting to say is, if Jack were a regular guy, right now I would be dreaming about us growing old together. But, because Jack is who he is, though he says he loves me, I still think he'll get bored with me, eventually. There's nothing exciting about me, and once the newness fades, someone else will catch his eye, and he won't be able to stop himself from going after her as he did me. And, I've got to tell you Steph, it's gonna devastate me when he does." She pulled her friend closer and laid her head on her shoulder. "I try not to think about that. Like, if I don't think it, it won't happen. But, sometimes, when I look at him, and I see how beautiful he is, how charming he can be, and I know there's a long line of women waiting, and I worry he's gonna take notice.

"It's not like he's some ordinary guy who doesn't have very many options, and I'm the best out of the bunch. With Jack, I'm at the bottom of the bunch, and he has so many options. Do you get what I'm trying to say?"

Steph gave Alexis a squeeze. "I get exactly what you're trying to say. Joe Schmo Stockbroker, has ten women to choose from and in that group you're a star at the top, so there's no need for him to go looking for better. Multibillionaire, Jack, has hundreds of women to choose from and in that group you're in the middle, so there's always a chance of him finding better."

"Yes," Alexis sighed, so happy her friend understood her.

"But, what you're forgetting is, Jack has already been through hundreds of women and all of them came up lacking, except you."

"But, there's always the chance that someone else will come along."

Steph stopped walking again and grabbed Alexis by her shoulders. "You have that chance with Joe Schmo Stockbroker, too. Love is a risky game, but we still play it. None of us know how it's gonna turn out. For some, it's true love everlasting. For some, it's a crash and burn. I fell in love with Scott, thought it would be true love everlasting, ended up being crash and burn. You know, how sad and depressed I was. But, I got over it. Thinking of him still makes me sad, and a piece of me will always love him, but I wasn't enough for him, and he was just a regular guy. So see, it can happen with anyone."

Alexis pulled Steph into a hug and whispered in her ear. "I'm so sorry your heart was broken. You're one of the most wonderful people I know and all I want is for you to be happy."

Steph stepped out of Alexis's embrace, gave a quick swipe under her eyes, then said with a cocky grin, "Then let's get this party started and stop talking about depressing shit!" She linked her arm through Alexis's again and marched them straight to Pulled.

Pulled had a large crowd on Friday nights. Steph and Alexis had miraculously found two seats at the bar, where they'd sipped two cocktails before going out on the dance floor. They danced together. It was girls' night, and they took that very seriously. No boys allowed. Though, a few tried to cut in, Steph was a tough cookie and sent them packing, fast.

Until, Mr. GI Joe and his friend showed up. Dressed in fatigue pants and a black T-shirt, buzzed cut, brown hair, and built like a linebacker, GI Joe didn't want to hear no, for an answer. His friend was in black cargo pants with a white T-shirt, just as well built but shorter, and had shaggy brown hair.

"We're not interested, boys." Steph tried to cut them off at the pass, but GI Joe had his sights set on Alexis and nothing could stop him.

He stepped between Alexis and Steph, forcing Alexis to take a few steps back. She looked around for the security guard. She spotted him on the fringe of the dance floor, trying to make his way through the crowd.

"Listen, I really just want to dance with my friend." Alexis tried to scoot around him, but he placed a detaining hand on her arm. It didn't hurt, but it was firm.

He smiled down at her. "Dance with me."

Alexis looked up at him. He was quite handsome in a rugged sort of way, but when he smiled, it turned his rugged good looks, into boyish good looks. "Look, I appreciate the offer, but I'm really not interested. My friend and I were about to leave."

She didn't want to cause a scene, but he still had a hold on her arm, and if he didn't let go soon, she would cause one.

"Is everything okay over here?" The guard finally made it to her.

GI Joe turned to the guard. "No problem. Just asking the lady to dance."

Alexis had also turned to look at the guard (she was regretting now, never asking his name).

"Ms. Taft, would you like me to call Mr. Cole?" the guard asked.

"No, I'm sure that won't be necessary. I'm sure Mr. ..." Alexis looked up at GI Joe questionably.

He gave her a sly smile. "Smith."

"I'm sure, Mr. Smith, understands that although flattering, I'll have to graciously decline his invitation."

"That's a lot of fancy words forno," the guard said, eyeing Smith's hand still on Alexis's arm. "The lady don't want to dance with you. Kindly remove your hand, or I'll remove it for you."

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