Page 329 of Dark Love

Hopefully, he remembers me.

Bypassing the line, I walk right up to him. “Hello.”

“Back of the line.” Tac doesn’t even look up at me.

“Um. Hi. I’m Diane’s friend.”

His eyes swing over to me, widening with shock or irritation… I’m not sure which. “I told her not to bring you here again.”

“Um. She didn’t. I came here alone.”

“We don’t allow trouble in the club.”

What is their problem? “I promise I won’t be any trouble.”

His eyes move up and down my body, taking in my outfit. It might not be covered in sparkles like Mindy's and Diane’s, but this is a perfectly acceptable little black dress. The hem is a bit shorter than I’m used to, brushing the tops of my knees, but I shouldn’t look all that out of place. Except for the cardigan, but Mom was right it’s getting colder.

Surely, he won’t judge me based on my outerwear.

“Trouble isn’t allowed in here.”

It’s the shoes. It’s got to be the shoes. Everyone else is in heels, my sensible black flats stand out like a sore thumb.

Okay, that didn’t work… I need to try a different tactic, but what?

Begging. It worked on my parents when I was a kid. “Um. Mr. Tac.”

“Two seconds and I’ll get you a cab.” He lets in two women with glittery belts—skirts that are so short I’m not sure how they walk without flashing people, let alone sit down.

“Please let me in. I’ll just be two seconds.”

“I let you in and I’m going to lose my job.”

Will Vex really punish him for letting me in to give him ‘thank you’ cookies? No way. “Please. I’ll take total responsibility for my actions.”

Tac raises an eyebrow at me.

“Really. I’m not trying to get you in trouble. I just want to give Vex some cookies to say thank you for helping me last week.” More like saving me… but Tac doesn’t need to know that.

“You brought Vex cookies?”

“Yeah.” I nod.

“You brought my boss cookies, and you want me to let you in his club to give him those cookies.”

“Yes. I made him chocolate chip cookies.” Why is this such a shock? People give each other ‘thank you’ cookies all the time.

“You made—Show me.”

Um. He’s serious. Tac wants me to take the cookies out and show him. These people are strange. I pull the tin out of my oversized purse.

“They’re in that?” He gapes at the bow-wrapped tin. “You packed cookies for Vex in a tin covered in kittens and flowers.”

Well, they don’t exactly carry a collection for scary men at the craft store.

“Skip firing me. He’s going to kill me for this.”

Wait… that means — “You’re going to let me in?”

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