Page 65 of Perfect

“No, they were definitely shagging at one point but it wasn’t serious. Just a bit of fun. Connor is too messed up to hold down a proper relationship.”

I thought back to my comment to Connor about him having fun. I certainly hadn’t meant that sort of fun, at least not with anyone else anyway.

“Are you sure you don’t have something going with Connor?” Ella’s tone was accusatory again and it wound me up.

“Are you sureyoudon’t?” I sniped back, still not sure if that ship had sailed.

Nate appeared between us.

“What the actual fuck, how long do you need to take a piss?”

His speech was slurred. I now felt angry at my self-pity and his appearance made me pull myself together.

“Nathan you’re gross. You don’t say that to the Ladies,” Ella chided, elbowing him in the side as he pushed between us and placed his arms around both sets of shoulders.

“If I see some, I’ll make sure I watch what I say. We’re you discussing the size of my cock?” His smile was cheeky and his dimples appeared.

“You’re such a dick. And if you get any more shit faced, I’m going home,” Ella replied with a serious edge. Clearly not happy about the cock comment.

“You love it.”

“I mean it Nathan, save it.”

I wasn’t sure whether I’d misread the look they exchanged, was there a vibe or had I just imagined it? To be honest, I was tipsy and past caring.

Eleven

I exhaled heavily. There was a strange throbbing sensation inside me. My body was floaty and warm and the material of my dress felt cool against my skin, but I wasn’tthatdrunk. I was at that nice point where the alcohol relaxes you, but not so much that you make a complete tit of yourself. Natalie and Nate were pretty much three sheets to the wind and were now walking ahead of the group, swaying all over the place.

The nightclub ‘Josephine’s’ had a huge queue and as we approached the tall, glass-fronted building, we immediately drew attention. Two guys I recognised who had been watching us in the first bar jogged up to us, one bumming a light from Natalie. One of the bouncers was staring straight at me, he didn’t even attempt to hide his ogle. A pretty sleazy move considering he was supposed to be there for our protection?

I watched and listened in as Natalie spoke with the two younger guys in the queue whilst lighting ‘Mark’s cigarette. Yet another surprise, I hadn’t realised she smoked. She was probably giving them her number and telling them what slot they could have. Her outfit and her attitude screamed ‘get it here’. Slag.

Mark’s friend was speaking to me, asking my name, but just as I was about to reply, Ella grabbed my hand and tugged me along beside her. I couldn’t do anything but follow mid-sentence as I stumbled along, wobbling against the tarmac.

“We’ve got to go guys, places to be… people to see!” she yelled behind her, offering no apology for blatantly blowing them off.

The others fell in behind us and after a brief word in one of the burley bouncers’ ears, they let us straight in. It appeared Ella had contacts.

We all negotiated our way through the glass entrance into the club, our shoes clicking in succession against the flooring. We didn’t even need to pay an entry fee which was cool and I wasn’t asked for ID.

“Hey, where’s the fire?” I puffed as Ella dragged me along.

“Sorry, but I want to get to the bar before happy hour ends.”

I managed to stop myself from tripping over a variety of feet. Of course, ‘happy hour’, silly me! What the hell was ‘happy hour’?

The bar area was mashed and flustered staff were franticly taking orders.

It was a fairly classy-looking place. The floors were solid wood and the walls a mixture of mahogany panelling and maroon paint. The disco lights flashed in time to the music. There was a distinctive ‘the place to be’ vibe and I felt my stomach muscles relax. Especially after the news from the not-so-nice Natalie. I hoped she didn’t try and speak with me again; the Marks of this world were welcome to her. She’d wound me up that much, the thought of her and Connor together made me want to gouge her eyes out.

People were scattered across the dancefloor and were chatting in groups. Not many people were dancing at that point. Too early I imagined.

Ella ordered herself two drinks together and revealed that ‘happy hour’ was basically ‘buy one get one free’. Needing to reign myself in a bit, I opted for a mocktail. I eyed the tall glass of neon-coloured liquid suspiciously. Wondering how many calories I would be consuming.

I could feel appreciative eyes upon me from all directions and it felt good. I even allowed myself to return a few smiles.

As we approached the seating area, where the others were sat, a half-inebriated Nathan waved us towards two empty chairs. I was relieved as my feet were already killing me, the heat from the base of my foot threatening to melt the glue from the soles of my shoes.

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