Page 90 of The Bad Girl List

The aunties had lost their bet with Gramps Moretti and his old-timer friends two nights ago. They had promptly challenged the guys to a rematch last night. They’d been so fired up over their win and free dinner at the buffet, they hadn’t even noticed Annika and I smelled like chlorine and weed when we came home.

“Think they might be sleeping off all that rich food from the buffet?” I ask.

Annika snickers. “I think they hit the wine bar pretty hard with the old-timers. You and I should cook breakfast today … What are you doing?”

I straighten, pulling out a slinky dress from one of Annika’s piles on the floor. It looks like something she would wear to a San Francisco nightclub.

“It’s karaoke night.” Another pang goes through me as I say this. Trevor was supposed to take me to Zeke’s. “Tonight, I want to go out and have fun. I want to forget about Trevor and number ten and enjoy my vacation. Can I wear this?” I hold up the dress.

“There is nothing like looking sexy to shake off a bad date.” Annika jumps out of bed and grabs the plastic garbage bag she’d brought with all her shoes. “You know you need cute shoes for that, right? How about these?” She pulls out a pair of strappy, three-inch heels.

“No way,” I say. “I plan to get drunk tonight. The last thing I want to do is fall off the karaoke stage. Do you have any cute flats?”

“Buzz kill.” Annika rolls her eyes, but digs around in her bag. “How about these?”

She holds up a pair of simple patent leather black sandals. They have a one-inch heel that I can definitely handle.

“Those are perfect. Think I should wear make-up tonight?”

“Definitely,” Annika says. “I know you don’t like make-up, but when you do your eyes, you’re irresistible.”

I run my fingers through my hair, looking at myself in the mirror. I’m going to make sure I look hot for karaoke tonight, and after several rounds of cocktails and bad singing, maybe I’ll be able to get Trevor Moretti out of my system.

CHAPTER 28

Karaoke

DOMINIQUE

I walk into Zeke’s with my chin up and my shoulders back, determined to have fun tonight.

With me are Annika and Thomas. Minnie is at the bar.

“First round is on me,” I say, making a beeline to Minnie. The slinky dress rubs against me as I walk, reminding me of just how much I hate tight clothes. My determination to look hot outweighs my dislike of the clothing.

“Hey, doll,” Minnie says, grinning as she catches sight of me. “Cosmo?”

“Yes,” I reply. “And Mojitos for Thomas and Annika.” First order of business is to start getting drunk. Alcohol can only make tonight better.

“Coming right up.” Minnie eyes me through her thick lashes and heavy make-up.

“Hey, it’s Dom, right?”

I turn around. Standing in front of me is Kevin Durham, Trevor’s flirty friend that we met at Platitude a few nights ago. He wears a dark shirt and jeans, his dark hair perfectly styled. He’s good looking in a conventional sort of way, but not hot enough that I’d want to draw him.

“Hey.” My eyes slide toward Minnie, wondering how quickly she’s going to get my drink. I really want to start drinking. “It was Kevin, right?” I stick out my hand.

He gives me a warm smile and shakes my hand. “Good memory. Can I buy you a drink?”

“She beat you to it,” Minnie says, sliding my Cosmo across the bar.

As I lean forward to grab it, Minnie rests her hand on my wrist. I pause in surprise, looking up at her.

“There’s more than one way to get to number ten, doll. It doesn’t have to be with a penis.” She winks at me, stares pointedly at my chest, then goes back to mixing drinks.

I gape at her, momentarily taken aback. When Minnie sees my expression, she just laughs. I have no idea if she’s serious or not. Then I decide I don’t care. I’m here to get drunk and sing tonight. That’s it.

Kevin is saying something in my ear. I turn to look at him, trying to get my bearings.

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