Page 8 of Fire

Gwen knew the odds were low he’d be there—at the same club only a week later. But taking a chance wouldn’t hurt. Whereas not going would, as Allie would likely murder her and bury her body where no one could find it. Or at the very least, not talk to her for a month, which, in Gwen’s opinion, was worse than being dead. When Allie held a grudge, the whole world suffered.

“I’ll cancel with Jason.”

“Yay! I’ve got to figure out what to wear. How to do my hair. What if Chris Hemsworth is there? He needs to take one look at me and fall in love.”

Allie was obsessed with Chris Hemsworth. Had been since the first Thor movie when she’d gotten an eyeful of his bare chest. Gwen couldn’t fault her taste. It was a nice chest and bonus for his pronounced abs and the sexy vee he sported.

“You know he’s married and has, like, three kids, right?”

Allie waved her hand. “Tomayto, tomahto.”

Gwen laughed and shook her head. “You’re insane.” She stepped past her friend and headed for the hall that led to their bedrooms. “I’m hopping in the shower.”

“You want me to order a pizza? We can veg and watch the third Thor.”

Allie liked that one the best. Said his short hair was sexy. “Sounds good,” she called over her shoulder. “Sausage and mushroom on my half.”

Gwen hit her bedroom, kicking off her heels before she even made it through the door. Though she wore heels daily, by the end of one her feet still hurt, and it was always a sweet relief to take them off. She tossed her purse on the bed and dug through it, pulling out her cell phone and plugging it in on her nightstand.

Making a beeline for her closet, she opened the door, flicked on the light, and stepped into the small, square space. She wouldn’t admit it, but she was as worried about what to wear Friday night as Allie. Wanting to look sexy but not so much so it was obvious, the trick was to look her best without making it seem as though she’d tried.

Searching through her dresses, Gwen found one she liked and put it off to the side. Decision made, she could go about the rest of her week worry free.

Yeah, right.

Chapter 3

Fire was just as dark as Gwen remembered. Just as noisy. And just as crowded. Between the ridiculously crazy cover charge and the price of drinks—which she was sure were consumed at an alarming rate—the owner had to be making a mint.

Like last time when they’d arrived, the line to get in had been long, circling the block. But unlike last time, they hadn’t had to wait in it. The invitation she’d received guaranteed that. Gwen had felt guilty cutting to the front and gave uncomfortable smiles to the people she’d made eye contact with as she’d passed. Usually a small fish in a large pond, being a big one had felt awkward.

As soon as Gwen’s heels hit the interior, she started scanning faces looking for Mystery Man. Which was absurd. For one thing, spotting him amongst the sea of people would be close to impossible. Another, the likelihood of him being there two weeks in a row was as elusive as finding a Tiffany bracelet in a pile of junk jewelry at a garage sale.

But crazy she must be because her eyes kept searching.

“Let’s go to the VIP section,” Allie said, tugging her hand.

Gwen allowed herself to be pulled, and they easily passed into the section with a flash of their stamped hands at the bouncer on duty.

“I can’t believe this is happening.” In her excitement, Allie had a death grip on her and walked so close, they were nearly tripping over each other’s feet.

Gwen steered them to an empty table and nudged Allie into the chair. “Sit down before you hurt one of us.”

A waitress, clad in a black mini skirt and halter top with flames covering her breasts, was at their table before Gwen even took her seat. “What can I get you, ladies?”

“I’ll have a Long Island Iced Tea.” Allie was quick to answer.

After a scribble on her pad, the waitress turned to Gwen. “I’ll have a Sprite, please.”

“What?” Allie looked at her as if she’d just beamed down from Mars and was unfamiliar with typical human social behavior.

“I have work in the morning.”

“It’s free booze. Live it up a little. How many times will this opportunity come along?” Before Gwen could reply, Allie held up her index finger. “Just this once.”

With a resigned sigh, Gwen said, “Fine.” She could always nurse it all evening while her friend drank every alcohol known to man mixed in one beverage. She turned to the waitress with an apologetic smile. “Make that a margarita without the salt.”

The waitress did her scribble thing then left with a nod and a smile.

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