Page 16 of Hot in Witch City
Tonight, something felt different. I could sense it.
How? I wasn’t sure. When it came to Gianna, nothing went as I’d planned. She'd been tough on my ass the first time, which had been well deserved. But at my house, she’d been more relaxed and casual. The four of us hanging out had been fun despite my verbal incontinence—as well as having to ward off a mega boner with her so close to me.
The club was so packed with people wearing sparkly tiaras, New Year’s hats, and other gaudy gear that would be trashed after midnight. Diego and Nova had entered right before us and were quickly swallowed by the crowd. How would I ever find Gianna?
“Bar?” Lucas suggested.
“Yup.” We headed that way and had to wait through a couple of songs before it was our turn.
I ordered the Moscow Mule drink I’d had last time and the gin and tonic one again for Lucas. Although I searched for any signs of Gianna, from her face in the crowd to her alluring scent to the sound of her voice, she remained elusive. The club was too crowded for me to get a good sense of her location.
Maybe she wasn’t here tonight.
That would ruin everything. Still, I had to make the best of it. It was a New Year’s Eve party, and I was celebrating with my friends.
Lucas insisted we dance. I went along with the idea, although half-hearted at first, I was determined to try to have a good time. We found a spot in a group of women who hooted and hollered with the music that played lively songs from the 80s and 90s.
When we were ready for a break, we headed back to the bar. That’s where I spotted Gianna. My mouth went dry.
Mate.My wolf whimpered, pushing me to get closer.
Not yet, I insisted. If we wanted any chance with her, we had to remain calm. I couldn’t bumble all over myself again, erupting nonsense in a vomit of word soup.
My pulse quickened and my body felt hot.Act casual.
Midnight was coming up and with it, the countdown. If I could get close to Gianna before the midnight kiss, I could nonchalantly suggest it. That meant beating out any other men who wanted the same thing. My wolf stirred and grumbled.
If I wanted the chance of a midnight kiss, that meant no more prowling and growling. The plan wasn’t foolproof, but it was the only one I had.
Gianna
Business was hot tonight. I checked on the bartenders, the bar backs, the bouncers, and the rest of the staff to make sure the night was running smoothly. All went well.
The cash registers were filling up. It was time for mama to have a little fun. I took my champagne cocktail and wandered through the club, checking out the eye candy.
As I moved along the edges of the club, I spotted Nova and Diego dancing to Madonna’s “Vogue,” part of the upbeat playlist for the party tonight. Seeing who Nova had initially described as a grumpy vampire frame his face in the Vogue move was a sight. I chuckled as I approached through the crowd and hip-checked her to say hello.
“Glad you both came,” I shouted over the music.
“Me, too,” she replied.
“Thanks for the invite,” Diego said.
“You’ve got some moves, vamp,” I teased, mimicking the Vogue move he’d just done.
He planted his hand on one hip and flashed a serious look. “Strike a pose.”
Nova and I laughed.
“Looks like Blue Steel,” I noted the Derek Zoolander reference.
He moved his hand on the other hip. “How’s this one? I call it Magnum.”
We laughed and then danced some more.
After the song ended, I asked, “Did Sebastian and Lucas come?”
“They’re around somewhere,” Nova motioned.
