Page 2 of Something Borrowed

It’s cooking in the club and my short, bright blue dress is sticking to my body.

I need a breather and some fresh air. Or another drink. Either way, I’m melting.

I signal my friends and they nod.

After an hour of dancing and with a glitter of perspiration on my skin, we are back at the bar to order another drink. Sammy giggles and slurs. “I can’t believe you were actually going to kiss him. You weren’t though - were you? I mean, you were just joking?”

Dante leans between us. “She can’t do it. Her father would kill her.”

“He’d ship her off to that convent he’s always threatening her with.” Bella laughs.

I stare across the bar at him.

Rufino is talking to another guy, a little closer to me than he was before, and I’m watching him again, wondering what would happen if Ididjust kiss him. It’s not like the world would explode. He’s just a guy.

“It was a stupid dare to begin with —” they are still discussing how I can’t go through with it.

“None of you know what you’re talking about. Iwill do it.” I say, undressing him in my mind, wondering if he would taste as good as he looks.

“Oh please, Bella was joking when she dared you. Evenyouaren’tthatcrazy, Verity.”

“Aren’t I?” I grin.

“Oh my word, it’s Verity, the attention whore.”

I spin around to glare at the girl standing behind me. As soon as I set my eyes on Allie, I remember how much I hate her. She used to be my best friend. Many years ago. But my father kicked her father out of a business deal when he couldn’t stick to the terms and she took it out on me by becoming a total bitch.

“Allie, don’t push your luck with me tonight.” I warn her, trying to keep my temper in check.

She turns towards my friends, addressing them. “Be careful. She’s a backstabbing bitch. I would watch yourselves around her.”

I don’t know if it’s the way she’s tilting her head from side to side or that annoying high-pitched tone in her voice, but something inside me snaps and I leap towards her, throwing one hell of a punch.

My fist connects with her jaw and she squeals like a little pig, flying backwards, clutching at the people standing near her.

I should leave it at that - but I’m seething with rage - and drunk. So, I lean down and punch her again.

She kicks at me but misses.

Someone grabs me from behind and lifts me off her.

The bartender is yelling at me to calm down with his arm wrapped around my waist to hold me back.

“Get your hands off me.” I demand, glaring at him. He steps away from me and holds his hands in the air. But he keeps his eyes fixed on me. “Let’s not do this tonight.”

I push my lips together. The bartender knows me because I come here often. But he also knows that I spend so much money here, I practically have shares in the place.

I sigh in annoyance. “I want her removed from this club. I never want to see her face in here again.”

He sighs, but he waves a bouncer over and leans close to him to say something into his ear. The bouncer nods then scoops a crying Allie off the floor to carry her out of the club.

The bartender turns back to me. “It’s done. But no more bullshit tonight, ok?”

I smile but continue to glare at him until he walks away, shaking his head.

“Holy fuck.” Dante bursts out laughing. Bella and Sammy are wide eyed and then laughing too. I’m still way too pumped up with anger and adrenaline.

Fuck it.

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