Page 15 of Touch in the Dark

“I need to get me one of these,” I hear Jordan’s loud voice ahead of us, they’re already inside the foyer of the brownstone.

When we step inside my mouth drops open. I mean, we’re loaded, ridiculously so, and some of the shit we’ve bought over the years has been outrageously expensive, but this place is amazing. Not just in the expense it must cost, but the architecture, the decoration, the history of it. A woman in a sleek white dress, her hair pulled back in a tight, model chic bun, greets us and asks for our invites.

“This place is insane,” Brooke breathes out as a man in a black suit appears with a tray of champagne glasses. She takes two and hands one to Archer, who takes it from her with a frown. She’s barely paying him any attention, too busy looking around.

“Are we the first ones here?” Jordan asks.

“No, the party is on the top floor.”

Everyone turns to look at Jenna.

“How do you know that?” Adam asks.

“Er, uh… lucky guess?”

We all look at her and her cheeks flush.

“You’ve been here before?” Adam asks, his brows drawn in a deep frown.

“If you would like to follow me.” Jenna jumps when the man appears behind her. “The elevator is this way.”

“There is elevator?” Alessa frowns but follows behind the guy with Jordan in tow, neither of them too concerned about Adam’s questions.

Archer gives Jenna and Adam a wide birth given they’re whispering like crazy at each other. Brooke eyes her best friend, then her gaze flicks to me. She doesn’t say anything, just follows the others. I look at Meg who shrugs but her eyes are averted. Why do I get the feeling something is going on that none of us guys are going to like? Not that I’m at all concerned. Stuff doesn’t faze me, whatever is going on, I’m sure it can’t be that bad.

We skirt around them too and step on to the elevator that is waiting for us.

“You guys either get in or take the stairs,” Archer yells out to them.

Adam looks as if he is about to do just that, but Jenna skips away from him and dodges inside. Adam glowers but follows her.

“So, what’s the story, sis. Are you hooking up with the Hollywood hottie?”

“Jordan, I swear to God,” Adam glares at him but our drummer just grins.

“Of course not,” Jenna hisses at Jordan. She looks over at me. “Um, I was meeting a friend. She’s staying here.”

“What friend?” Adam asks, crossing his arms. Then his face shifts, his eyebrows go up to his hairline and his lips go round. “Fuck,” he looks at me.

“What?” I ask, leaning one shoulder against the wall of the elevator, which is moving quickly for an elevator inside someone’s house.

“Well, see, the thing is…” Jenna stutters.

“Oh, for God’s sake,” Brooke leans around them. “It’s Elsa.”

Before I can open my mouth and ask what the hell she means by that, the doors open and the sounds of the party break what has become a tense silence in the elevator. Jordan and Alessa bounce out, quickly getting lost in the crowd. Brooke gives me a smug look, her head tilted as she steps out. Arch follows her, downing his champagne.

“Elsa?” I ask, trying and likely failing to look as if that doesn’t bother me.

Jenna’s lips turn inwards just as the doors start to close. Adam holds his arm out to trigger the sensor and pulls Jenna after him. That fucker knew she was seeing Elsa today. I take a deep breath, willing my heartbeat to slow the fuck down. This isn’t an issue. I’ve been around her a couple of times since the whole mess I caused back in L.A. I can deal.

I step out of the elevator last. There are lots of people around, all dressed in their finest, music is playing but the chatter is louder. I recognise a lot of people, not that I personally know them, but this is a Hollywood party, for the film they’ve all just worked on. Right now, there is only one face I want to see, which only makes me a fucking idiot. I walk further out into the party. Jordan is right, this place is insane. We’re on the fifth floor and I can see through huge windows at the rear of the house, onto a massive roof patio. A building like this is one of the most sought-after spaces in New York. There are lots of people milling around out there, Alessa and Jordan already in the thick of it, Jordan being his usual boisterous self, fitting in anywhere with anyone. I’ve managed to lose Megan already too. Guess now I know why, all the girls were fully aware Elsa is in New York.

I glance around, telling myself I’m not seeking her out.

Then I see her. “Damn.” The word is out of my mouth before I can stop it.

I’m frozen to the spot as she laughs with the tall, blonde man standing next to her. She looks breathtakingly gorgeous in a 1920’s style dress, her long tanned legs on display. The boho girl I’d known a year ago is nowhere to be seen and as hot as she looks right now, I kind of miss those torn jeans and peasant tops, or her floaty dresses with layers of beads around her neck and arms. Still, I guess she can’t attend a party like this dressed as if she’s headed to the beach. She looks hotter than some of the Hollywood royalty walking around.

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