“Hey, Aria.”

“We still on for tonight? Remember you said you’d take me to that new club that just opened up?”

“A new club opened? How did I not know about this? I would love to go with the two of you.” I smiled.

His eyes widened before he narrowed them at me.

“I’m sorry, but who is she?” Aria asked.

“So rude of me not to introduce myself. I’m Emma. It’s nice to meet you. I’m a friend of Max.”

I held out my hand, and she looked down at it and turned away. Ah, this was going to be fun.

“Emma, I don’t think that club is your scene,” Max said.

“Really? I happen to love clubs. So it’s settled. Aria and I would love for you to take us.”

“Then I’m not going!” Aria chimed like a two-year-old on the verge of a tantrum.

“Oh, please, Aria. Do come. I’m kind of thinking right now that since it’s a new club and all, it would be packed with people, and you’d have to wait in an incredibly long line with the hopes that they let you in. On the other hand, Max can pull some strings and get us right in. Am I right?” I smiled at Max.

“Yeah,” he said, deadpan.

“Fine. Pick me up at eight o’clock.” She stomped away from the table, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Max asked in seriousness.

“Please. Get over yourself. I just need a ride. I won’t be hanging with you two lovebirds. I’ll ask Hannah and Austin to meet me there.”

He shook his head at me. “This isn’t a game, Emma.”

“I never said it was, Max.” I took a sip of my wine and slipped my ring back on.

Chapter Nine

Hannah,Austin, and his boyfriend, Dominic, were going to meet me at the club. I honestly didn’t know what possessed me to say that I’d go. It was probably the sick feeling I got when Aria said that Max would take her. My body was still on fire from the morning sex we’d had, and I couldn’t get it out of my head.

I smiled and looked at myself in the black sheer, spaghetti-strap, baby-doll dress with the jewel-accented empire waist. I bought it back in Miami for a friend’s wedding but didn’t get to wear it since she called it off. I slipped into a pair of black, round-toe, stiletto heels with a bow and sprayed my curly updo one last time before the doorbell rang. When I opened the door, Darren stood there smiling at me.

“Good evening, Emma. Are you ready?”

“Hi, Darren.” I hooked my arm in his as we walked down the hallway. “Is she in the car?” I asked.

He looked at me with a sly grin. “Yes. She’s in there. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

“Not really.” I smiled.

He opened the door, and I slid inside next to Max. I swear he gasped when he saw me.

“Hello, Emma,” he spoke.

“Hi, Max. Hey, Aria. You look really pretty.”As pretty as a hooker waiting on the street corner.

“Hey.” The only word she could seem to muster up.

“Thanks again for the ride, Max.”

“No problem. I made a call and had your friends put on the list so they won’t have any problems getting in.”