Page 31 of Rex

“Hey, Aria. I’m sorry to do this to you, but something’s come up with the club, and I have to postpone tonight.”

There are several long seconds of silence before she replies in a polite but flat tone.

“Yeah. Okay, Rex. Have a good night.”

“Aria. I really am sorry. I wouldn’t cancel except—” I start to explain because I really don’t like how there’s no inflection in her voice at all now. It’s dead, lifeless, and that’s not her normal tone.

“It’s fine. I understand. Be safe,” she interjects before my phone beeps, signaling the end of the call.

“Fuck,” I mutter before slamming my phone in my back pocket and turning to look for Horse, my partner for the night. “Let’s go, Horse!”

Chapter 8

Aria

I’m such an idiot. I was too excited and let it show. Gawd, I even told him I’d left work early to be ready for our date! I try in vain to ignore the heat of embarrassment rushing to my face, but it’s no use. I drop my phone on the counter and my face into my hands.

It’s been quite a while since I’ve dated anyone worth spending time with. First, I was consumed with my schooling, then training, and then getting settled into a practice. It took all my time and energy. I refused to date anyone during the whole mafia crap of trying to insist on an arranged engagement for me. I didn’t want to give them a target, so I turned down all dates. Then, we made the move to Denver and between not knowing anyone and getting set up in a new practice, I haven’t made time for men.

After meeting Rex, I realized how I’ve neglected the female part of myself for far too long. He ignited that part of me again, and I got my hopes up today. I know he’s not trying to just blow me off or that he regrets he agreed to a date. I believe him when he says something has come up with the club, and I have a pretty good idea of what it is. I’m just beyond disappointed in not getting to spend time with Rex tonight. I’m also disappointed in myself for letting a guy have this much control over my emotions. I’m an independent, professional woman of today’s world, and it’s time for me to remember that. With that thought in mind, I pick up my phone and make a call.

“Hey, woman! What’s up?” Lisa nearly shouts down the line.

Grinning, I know she’s exactly what I need tonight.

“I got stood up on a date. Want to take his place?” I ask.

“Fuck him, and yes, I do!”

“What do you want to do, and where should we go? If we go to a club, we need to be careful, though,” I state thoughtfully.

“Yeah, we do. Was it Rex who stood you up?” Lisa asks in a careful tone.

“Yes, but it was a club thing he said, so I’m not really offended. I just realized how much I was looking forward to it, and now I’m a little spooked by that.”

“I get what you’re saying. It always scares me a little if I feel I’m starting to depend on a guy for my own happiness, if that makes sense. If the club is up to something, we can be too. We’re not members, and we have no restrictions on us, but some of the women might. I’m not really sure how all that works, to be honest, but we can have fun with just us,” Lisa explains, then laughs.

“Exactly what I was thinking. How dressed up should we get? I’m in nice but casual clothes because I was expecting a casual type of dinner date. Should we go big?” I question while looking down at my outfit.

“It doesn’t have to be a weekend to dress to the nines! Let’s go big and make the men wish they stood a chance with us,” Lisa says through a giggle. “I’ll be at your place in an hour.”

“Perfect! See you then!”

Ending the call, I make a beeline for my closet. I feel better already, and Lisa’s always a fun time. Luckily, I have a lot of clothes. An embarrassing lot of clothes. Grabbing several hangers, I return to my bedroom and start trying them on in front of the full-length mirror.

Sitting back down in front of my makeup mirror, I start smoking out my eyes and changing my lipstick for a darker version. I go for a sultrier look that will work well with my little black dress. Tossing my hair over my head, I spray it for volume. When I’ve achieved the look I want, I return to my huge walk-in closet and search for ridiculously high heels. You know the kind I’m talking about. The ones that are gorgeous and accent your legs but are as uncomfortable as hell. Finding the pair I want, I slip them on just as my doorbell chimes.

Rushing to the front door, I pull it open to Lisa’s grinning face. She walks in and does a twirl motion with her finger. I do the twirl and grin at her low whistle. I give her the same motion and same response when she’s stopped twirling. I’m impressed.

“How did you do all that,” I ask while pointing at her dress and then face, “And still get here in an hour?”

“Years of being the Governor’s daughter and attending a lot of fancy events. Also, I had a hot client today, so the hair and makeup were already done. I just changed into a dress and higher heels.”

“You whore! You do that hair and makeup to show a house?” I ask, laughing at her expression.

“I do when the client’s a hot-ass multimillionaire that’s recently divorced!” Lisa shouts, then does a little shimmy that jiggles all her good parts.

After laughing loudly at her, I lead the way to the kitchen and a bottle of wine. After pouring us each a glass, I ask, “So where are we going tonight?”

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