Page 24 of Dark Love

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?”

Tac reaches for the rope. “Don’t do anything stupid…er. Women... they’re going to be the death of me.”

“Thank you.” I jump up and down. “Thank you so much.”

“Go on. Get it over with.”

“You don’t need to worry. I’m just going to give him the cookies then I’ll leave.”

Tac shakes his head.

Before he can change his mind, I rush in.

You’d think I’d be prepared for the deafening music because of last week, but nothing can prepare you for this thunderous attack.

Dancing strobe lights blind me as I step into the cavernous space. People flow around me as I try to get my bearings.

Focus.

---