Page 51 of Of Heartbreak and Harmony
Callie laughs nervously. “Well, thanks.”
I clear my throat, drawing her eyes back to me. I don’t miss the sparkle of excitement there.
“Are you ready to go?” I ask, and she jerks out a nod.
“Yep.”
Mabel sends me a glare that I read clearly—stop being such a dick—so I narrow my eyes at her and force a smile before looking back at Callie.
“This way.”
I turn and walk out, and she follows.
Once in the hallway, I offer Callie my hand. She takes it without hesitation.
“Good,” I whisper to her, and she glances up at me with a flirty smile.
“Of course. Got to sell it, right?”
Her words are said sweetly, but her eyes flash with anger, and I don’t bother hiding my grin when I respond.
“Exactly.”
I can let myself have fun with this for tonight. Like she said. We have to sell it.
We take the elevator in silence to the first floor, then I put my armaround her, tugging her into my side for the walk through the lobby to the valet who has my sports car. The hotel and its employees are discreet, but the lobby bar is full of people, and those people need to see the act.
I open my car door for her and help her in before sliding into the driver’s side with our security details following in a car behind us, then I speed out of the drive and head to the club.
“You sure you’re ready for this?” I ask Callie, and she rolls her eyes.
“If I wasn’t?”
“We turn around, and you can go home.”
She shakes her head with a frown. “No. I’m ready.”
I pull my car into the club’s valet line, and just before I put it in park to climb out and hand the keys to the valet, I turn to her.
“Showtime?”
She takes a deep breath, then smiles. “Showtime.”
We walk past the line and go straight through the VIP entrance. The moment people see us, they start calling my name. Phones are suddenly pointed in my direction, so I pull Callie closer and rest my hand just above her ass as I lead her through the club and up the stairs into the lounge, telling our security to make themselves scarce. I can tell Damon wants to object, but I shake my head. I need Callie relaxed, and that won’t happen if Damon and Craig are breathing down her neck. Besides, they may be giants, but they blend into dark corners well. One eye on us, one on the crowd, ever ready in case of trouble. We’ll be fine.
The lounge is lofted above the general admission dance floor, but it’s separated by a glass half wall with its own bar, dance floor, servers, and couches. If you don’t want to be seen, there are more private rooms in the back, but I make sure Callie and I are posted front and center. Anyone in the club can look up and see us, and that’s exactly how I want it.
“Drink?” I ask Callie, and she nods.
“Yes. A double shot of tequila. Please.”
I arch a brow. “You want to party?”
She rolls her eyes. “If I have to pretend to like you in front of all of these people, I’m going to need tequila.”
“Tequila coming up,” I say with a grin and flag over a server. Withinthree minutes, they’re back with our shots, and I’m taking mine and handing Callie hers. “Cheers.”
We take our shots, then trade the shot glasses for the limes on the server’s tray before finally sending him away.
