Page 29 of Fast & Reckless
“I’m taking Mira out to a club. We’re celebrating.”
Okay, so a deal apparently wasn’t a deal. She’d already made plans with Violet. That left him feeling something unfamiliar. Forgotten. Huh. “You guys are celebrating the race?”
Violet rolled her eyes. “Celebrating her genius, you numpty. You’d have started from the back of the grid today with shit brake ducts if it wasn’t for her.”
“Right,” he said, suitably chastised. “So you’re going out dancing?”
“Yeah, she’s making all kinds of noises about being too busy, but I’m not letting her wiggle out of it.”
Wiggle?Jesus Christ, what was Violet trying to do to him.
“What club?” He absolutely hated how desperate he sounded.
“This place called The Slide. I hung out there a bit when my ex was touring Australia. Hey, if you’re not busy banging your spokesmodel tonight, you’re welcome to tag along.”
Tagging along.He might be debasing himself, but he didn’t say no. At least she’d be there.
“Yeah, sure, I’ll come.”
She eyed him with naked speculation. “Really?”
He pointed in Francesca’s direction. “I’m desperate, Violet. And I need to thank Mira, right? How about I buy the drinks?”
“Well, then, you’ve got a date. Meet us in our lobby at eleven.”
15
Mira was definitely going to bail on Violet. Clubbing sounded awful right now.
Besides, she was a hot mess. She hadn’t stopped moving since yesterday’s crisis. She’d woken up four times last night to check on the status of Ollie’s flight, and she hadn’t drawn a full breath until Will had driven his repaired car onto the grid. The anxiety had to have eaten at least two years off her life.
Just when she could finally enjoy her moment of glory, she’d walked into the cocktail party to find Will wrapped up in some tall, gorgeous dark-haired woman. She’d known this would happen eventually, and now it had.
Knowing it had been different than seeing it, though. And seeing that woman’s hands in his hair, his hands on her hips … it was frustrating to admit, but it had felt like a punch to the gut. Shelikedhim. She’d tried so hard not to, but she did. And she knew he liked her, too, in his way. But his life was about to become a whirlwind of press and parties and beautiful, available women. There was no way he was going to keep hanging around her just for some PG-rated teasing and flirting when there were tons of better offers out there. His promiseto show her a good time in every city was about to become a distant memory.
She refused to attribute her bad mood to that, however. She was just tired after all the stress.That’swhy she’d turned right around and left the reception. She needed rest and maybe a good Netflix show to binge. Not because she couldn’t bear to watch him leave with that woman. Of course not.
After she’d gotten back to the hotel, she’d peeled off her rumpled clothes and walked straight into the shower, turning it up as hot as she could stand it, and stayed under the spray until her fingers shriveled. And now she was staring at her reflection in the bathroom mirror in dismay. Her hair had dried naturally, which meant it had driedcurly, a wild pile of messy blond curls, and there was no time to straighten it.
Plus she had nothing to wear. All she had were a bunch of conservative blouses and pants, with a few understated dresses for more formal functions. She didn’t go to clubs. Like, ever.
Violet’s knock came at her door and she groaned.
“Violet,” she said as she swung it open. “Sorry, but I’m not—”
Violet threw up her hand. “Don’t even try to tell me no. I knew you would.”
Mira waved a hand helplessly at herself. “But I’m a mess—”
“It’s abar, Mira. Wear that. It’s fine.” Violet waved a hand at her and strode past her into her room, snatching her black boots off the floor. “And wear these. These are brilliant … I wish you wore my size so I could steal them. Put these on and let’s go.”
She glanced down at herself in faded jeans and a tank top. “Are you kidding? This is not a going-out outfit.”
Violet gave her an exasperated look. “What do you wear when you go out in LA?”
“I don’t.”
“Well, that’s just sad. Mira, I know you’ll be shocked to hear this, but you’re ayoung person. Going out, having fun … it’s a bit expected, you know? And after today, you’ve earned a little celebrating!”
