Page 5 of Beautiful Storm

I try to take her seriously but the deep furrowed brow and confusion set in her features makes me burst out laughing again. “Because…” I begin confidently, but pause. “Because…”Jesus. Why is hate sex a bad idea?“I don’t know. Let’s talk about thatafterI have some mind-blowingfeelinglesssex first.”

“Deal. We’ll revisit this conversation tomorrow.” She nods and I laugh again, her confidence and positivity always bringing a smile to my face.

After one more glance toward the football players, I ignore the way my chest tightens at seeing Luke after all this time and steer the conversation in another direction. I’m not going to sit here and pretend he’s not God’s gift to women because I’d be lying to myself. That man is fine. But I am more than capable of pushing that from my mind simply by remembering what an ass he is. And the hurt he caused me. It does the trick every time.

“We need to dance,” I say, straightening my crimson dress as I stand, hoping by some miracle it’s suddenly less revealing. “I’m never going to find someone if I remain tied to my chair.” I'm not completely conceding to her mission to find me a one-night stand, but if I keep drinking without moving, I’m likely to start making bad decisions.

“I agree,” Hayley nods. “But…we?”

“Yes. You’re coming with me. I need at least three songs before you disappear with some guy.”

“Three?” Her eyes scan the room, undoubtedly searching for said guy, her lips pursed ass he considers my request. “Okay. I can do that.” She bounces on her toes as she stands. “Let’s go.” She knocks back her drink and straightens her shoulders before grabbing my hand to lead me to the dance floor. “We’ve got this.”

Ilaugh as I’m dipped back until the tips of my fingers brush against the floor, and when I’m lifted again, my new friend, Chase, whispers in my ear. “And that’s how it’s done.”

I give him an impressed nod but hold back my smile, making him work for it.

“Ahh, like that, is it?” He chuckles. “What more do you want?” His eyes narrow, jokingly trying to read my mind. “Flowers.” He clicks his fingers. “Every woman wants flowers.”

He’s been trying to “woo” me—his word, not mine—for the last thirty minutes and I’m surprised to say I’m enjoying it. In fact, tonight has turned out to be much more fun than I expected.

When I mentioned I wanted to try a dating app, Hayley insisted on taking me out first and dragged me to the hottest new bar at the Westerly hotel. She said I should try things the old-fashioned way. And she may be right. It’s not hard to imagine how a night of passionate dancing would be enough to consider taking someone home—or in my case, taking someone to a room upstairs since I’m spending the night here at the hotel. Only, I’m not convinced I’m that type of person.

“I actually loathe the giving of flowers,” I admit with slightly clenched teeth.“ My ex used to bring them home every time hehad bad news or after he’d been gone for an extended period, and now just the thought of them makes me shiver.”

“Noted.” Chase cringes. “No flowers. But also… What a dick.”

I laugh but Preston wasn’t a dick.Back then.He was a great husband, and he hated that he was always leaving me alone. He assumed he was softening the blow. Hewasn’t;he was actually making it worse.

Chase and I continue to dance, with him whispering ideas in my head, each one more impressive than the last but still doing nothing to light a fire inside me.

There’s not even a spark.

After a few more minutes, I catch Hayley’s eye and she smiles proudly. Despite promising me only three songs, she’s still dancing close by, keeping an eye on me like I’m a lost child. And maybe, when it comes to this one-night stand business, I am.

I’m generally strong enough to take care of myself, but I have no idea what I’m doing here. And Hayley knows it. Still, I wink back pretending to be more in control than I am and give her a nod of approval for the guy she’s dancing with. A guy I swear I’ve seen on a billboard somewhere advertising men’s cologne…or was it underwear… or is he that new golfer?

Here in the darkness, surrounded by the strobe lights and outfits that cost more than what I make in a year, he could be whoever he wanted to be. Maybe he’s famous, or maybe he’s no one at all. And that’s what worries me. Not the fame thing—that actually goes against a guy when it comes to me—but the fact that anyone can fake it. Even me to a point. I’m flirting and giggling like I’m a sure thing, but I’m not. I’m still undecided. And as soon as Chase figures that out he’ll drop me like I’m hot, forcing me to keep up the charade until I’ve made up my mind. Just like everyone else here.

“I’ve got it,” Chase says suddenly, snapping his fingers as he cuts into my thoughts. He waits until our eyes lock beforedelivering his line devoid of sarcasm. “How about I take you out back and rock your world?”Yep, he really just said that.

“Excuse me?” I pull away, my gaze puzzled as I wait for him to laugh and tell me he’s joking.Please, please be joking.He bounces his eyebrows similar to how Hayley did and I cringe.Not a joke then.

“Does that ever work?” I ask seriously. I know I’m sort of here for exactly what he’s proposing, but surely, people don’t talk like that.

Chase laughs. “Surprisingly, yes.”

“So this is all part of your act? The nice guy wooing?”

Chase’s previously friendly expression morphs into a cocky grin, and I get my answer.Though, wasn’t I doing the same thing—acting?God, this is hard. I work in the world of make-believe, and toward the end of my relationship with Preston, we were both playing pretend.

For once, I want something to bereal, even if it is only a one-night stand.Is that too much to ask?

Chase’s friend returns from the bar and I use the distraction to make an escape. “I’ll be back,” I yell over the music, already backing away. “I’m going to the bathroom.”

Hayley stops dancing and leans in as I squeeze past. “Want me to come with you?” she asks, her brows furrowed at the confusion on Chase’s face. I get it—despite the blatant ploy to get in my pants, he’s been fun. I shouldn’t be walking away.

“Nah.” I shake my head. “You keep dancing. That guy is smoking.”

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