Page 7 of Stone Heart
Chapter 3
“Chelsey, I really shouldn’t be going out to a party. I should be home studying,” Rina protested for the thousandth time.
Her best friend had met her at her mother’s and brought clothing, shoes, and makeup with her.
Ambush.
Spending a few hours over at her mother’s house was just what she’d needed. All signs of her the migraine were now gone. She’d put her feet up and let her mother take care of her. She had planned to stay the night and let the pampering continue.
Chelsey Coffey has other plans for me.
“You know I love when you come as my plus-one. Everyone reacts to you and loves you,” Chelsey whined as she drove them toward the nightclub she was working at tonight.
Chelsey was employed by a well-known marketing agency. Chelsey’s specialty was launching new products, and tonight was for one of the hard liquor companies who were revealing a new brand of vodka.
“So, in other words, you’re just using me.” Rina glanced over at her friend, cocking an eyebrow at her.
“I bought you a new dress as payment.” Chelsey laughed, clearly knowing she was caught. “I can’t help how people always flock to you. I swear you should come work with me. Quit school, and you’d make a killing in my office. They’d love to have someone like you.”
“Don’t tempt me,” Rina murmured, gazing out the window.
Chelsey was making a good salary with her company, while Rina was not, working at the small clothing store.
They pulled up to the valet area located in front of the club. Rina sighed. Clubbing was not her thing, but for her friend, she’d smile and help her out. She preferred private parties, where she hosted, not nightclubs.
The valets rushed to their car and assisted them from the vehicle. She stood on the curb as she waited for Chelsey to make her way around to stand by her side. Rina took in the long line of hopefuls who were trying to gain entrance to the exclusive party.
“You don’t have to look like you’re going to meet your death.” Chelsey laughed again, grabbing Rina’s hand. “You’ll have fun, I promise.”
Rina allowed Chelsey to drag her into the nightclub. Complaints could be heard from the crowd waiting. Little did they know, Rina would switch with any of them. She sighed and put on her bright smile, knowing her friend was going to put her to work.
Music blared from the speakers. Rina couldn’t hear herself think, much less what Chelsey was shouting to her. She pointed over to the VIP section, and Rina gathered she was to follow her friend over there. They threaded their way through the packed club.
Rina kept her fake smile plastered on her face as she walked behind Chelsey. She slid her hands along her dress to smooth it out. She had to admit, her friend knew her tastes well and that Rina had a soft spot for pretty clothing. The dress was black and fit her like a glove. It showcased her curves perfectly. She’d kept her long blonde locks down, falling past her shoulders. Her heels gave her a little more confidence, making her a smidgen over five and a half feet tall.
Chelsey paused by a woman who Rina had met before. Her colleague, Freda, must be working the party with her.
“Hi, Rina. I see Chelsey has dragged you out again.” Freda giggled.
Rina smiled and nodded. “Yes, she did. She’s lucky she knows how to bribe me, though.”
They shared a laugh, and that familiar tingling sensation made its way down Rina’s spine. As Chelsey and Freda spoke, she swiveled her head and took in the crowd. She figured in an atmosphere such as a club, she’d get attention. Someone was bound to be looking at her. She swept the area near her and caught the eyes of some random males all hoping she’d acknowledge them.
She relaxed and gave them each a smile, turning back to Chelsey and Freda’s conversation. They were deep in talks on their plan for working the room and ensuring the crowd tried the new vodka.
“So, Rina. When are you going to come work for us?” Freda smiled. “You might as well get paid real money instead of in clothing if you’re going to come to work with Chelsey here.”
Rina laughed and shook her head. “I’d have to think about it. Who wouldn’t want to work for pretty dresses and high heels?”
Freda laughed and shook her head, too. “I guess you got a point. Well, have fun tonight.”
“Thanks,” she murmured. The sensation of someone eyeing her increased. This wasn’t the feeling of the innocent guy trying to catch a girl’s attention.
No. This was different.
Rina’s breath caught in her throat. She looked around the club and didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.
“Let’s go have some fun getting people to try the new product,” Chelsey announced with a wide grin.
