Page 78 of The Workaholic Down the Hall

May did take too long, but it was kind of soothing, the heat of the hair dryer and her gentle hands as she brushed and flat-ironed my hair. It was almost like having a little nap and it was nice to just enjoy a moment of peace when no one needed anything from me.

“Perfect,” she finally said. “Now, let's do your make-up.”

I sighed, but didn't argue. My hair looked amazing and I was getting excited about this night out. She let me put on my own make-up, which didn't take long. Though I had dark circles under my eyes from lack of sleep, I just slapped on foundation, curled my lashes, and put on lip gloss.

“Can we go now?” I asked, when I was done.

May looked me up and down and smiled. “Yep. I approve. Let's go.”

“Aren't you going to put on make-up or anything?”

She shrugged. “We can stop by my place on the way.”

I kissed Sophie goodbye, thanked Nora again, promising not to be out too late, and followed May to her car. I picked up my pace as soon as the cold air hit my warm skin and hopped into the car, shivering as she started it and turned on the seat warmers.

She drove us into town, speeding right past her house. “I thought you were going to stop.”

“Nah,” she said. “This is all about you. I look good enough to be your wing woman, don't I?”

“You look beautiful,” I said. “You always…Wait, my wing woman? I'm not looking to pick up any men tonight.”

May smiled serenely. “I'm not suggesting you go home with anyone, but there's a lot to be said for flirting and being appreciated.”

I sighed. I didn't want to flirt with anyone, didn't want to spend time with any man other than Noah. I missed him with an ache that bordered on the physical and it was taking everything I had not to call him and tell him I'd changed my mind. I could take him up on his ill-timed and ill-considered proposal, even if it wasn't entirely right for me. At least I'd have him in my life. I shook my head, I just couldn't do that to him. Or to me. “I'm afraid I'm pathetically in love with your brother.”

“That is pathetic,” May said, making a face. “Considering what a turd he's been.”

“He hasn't, though. He's been there for me and Sophie, he's moved his whole life here for us. You said you had a plan, does getting me out of the house and dressed up have anything to do with it?”

“Maybe. I just thought it might be good for you to remember that you're a fun, gorgeous, brilliant, confident woman. You can't face Noah again until you've remembered that.” She parked outside a dance club, the whole place thumping with music. “Come on, let's go have some fun.”

The bar was packed, the music was loud, and anticipation and excitement and maybe a bit of lust filled the air. I loved to dance, to go out and meet people, to flirt and laugh, and excitement rushed through me and wiped out any fatigue of the heart or body I'd been feeling.

“It looked to me like you have a fridge full of breast milk,” May said before we got too far inside. “You're free to drink, right?”

I was free to drink, but I hated the idea of going home to Sophie and not being one hundred percent sober if she needed me. Plus, the way I was feeling, I wasn't sure I'd be able to stop at just one or two drinks. “No alcohol for me tonight.” Luckily, I wasn't one of those people who needed booze to let loose and have fun.

May nodded and pointed to the bar. “I'm getting a drink. I'll find you on the dance floor.”

I didn't need to be told twice. One of my favorite songs, with a deep bass and a bouncy tune, was playing and I was more than ready to shake it. I wove my way through the crowd on the dance floor until I found a somewhat clear space.

I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath. I relished the sound of the music, the happy press of bodies, and the freedom. I loved being a mom, I adored Sophie, but I often lost myself for moments, sometimes days, when I was with her, and being on that dance floor felt a bit like remembering who I was.

I began to move and I smiled as I opened my eyes and saw the people around me moving, some serious, some silly, some trying to look sexy and some searching for a partner. Half the fun of dancing in a club was people watching. I danced through three songs before I felt warm hands on my hips. I twisted to look over my shoulder, ready to tell the guy to get lost, and saw Noah's face, his eyebrows high in question, his expression wary.

I smiled, glad he was there and glad we didn't have to discuss the proposal, that he didn't look mad or upset. I faced forward and leaned into him, moving with him. I'd never danced with Noah before, when I'd gone out dancing in the past, it had been with casual friends from work or college. If I had to guess I'd say Noah hadn't spent much time on a dance floor. He had no rhythm at all, but he tried and he held me close, his arms tight around me.

When the next song started, a faster song, I smiled up at him. Instead of letting me go so we could dance to the faster beat, he grinned, his hands slipping down until they rested on my ass and held on tighter. We danced until my thighs burned, we were both sweaty, and my throat was dry.

Noah and I got bottled waters and found an empty, dark corner to stand in and catch our breath. I expected Noah to give me some space, maybe try to talk to me about everything, but instead, he moved closer, one hand on my hip, his face in my neck. “I'm Noah,” he said in a low, husky voice.

I smiled, understanding immediately what he was doing. Everything about our romantic relationship had been backwards and he was reversing the course, starting over. “I'm Aubrey,” I said, my voice a bit gaspy as he pressed a kiss to a spot behind my ear that sent waves of sensation and lust over my body. “I don't usually pick up guys in bars, it's not a good way to start a relationship.”

He pressed into me and tightened his grip on my hip, like he had no intention of ever letting me go. “Maybe not for most people, but it's going to work for us.”

I melted into him. “You seem pretty sure of that.”

“I'm absolutely certain,” he said. “Do you want to get out of here, come back to my place?”

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