“Zach!” I waved at Stacy as she ran to me and threw her arms around me. Rolling my eyes, I gave her a peck on the cheek. “Woman! People are going think we are lovers reuniting.” “Whatever you say, partner in crime. I’m just glad to be here.” She huffed. “I’ve had to listen to Adrian and Jay complain non-stop about being left behind. Fuck them. A girl can take a damn private jet by herself. Some real me time.” Smiling, I opened the car door for her and she slid in. The driver grabbed her luggage and I got in after her. “I’m glad you’re here. I was starting to miss home. I feel better now. I don’t think I need to go back.” Her mouth dropped open and she punched my stomach. I leaned forward, faking hurt. “Don’t you dare, Zach. I swear to god. You’re not going anywhere anytime soon. I missed you.” “I missed you too, bitch.” “Damn, you lost weight. You’re a toothpick. I swear you’re thinner than Adrian now.” I raised my eyebrow. “Did Adrian gain weight?” “No. Well, yes, but you’re
*** Three Years Ago *** “You wouldn’t believe our luck, dude!” Jason set down four shots in front of me and fell back on the couch. “There is a whole damn bachelorette party down there.” “Oh?” I smiled, grabbing two of the shots and throwing them back one after the other. Jason took his shots and downed them as well. “I’m taking multiple of them to bed. It’s my goal for the night.” Rolling my eyes, I looked over the club. We had landed in Las Vegas two hours before, checked into the hotel, raided the mini bar, and then headed out to the club. It was busy even for a Friday and I let my eyes roam over the bodies in the club. “You are gonna find someone and you are going to fuck someone. You got it? You’ve been an uptight twat all week.” “That had nothing to do with the fact I wasn’t fucking someone and all to do with my father’s board meeting.” Jason laughed. “Sure, but it would have helped!” Rolling my eyes, three girls came up to our VIP section and Jason’s face lit up. Motio
I moved my head and looked her in the eyes. They danced with a mischievous light; one that sucked me in and made we want to follow her no matter where she went. For a moment, I wondered if I should. I wondered if I should walk away now and go back to Jason. Find some other random woman I could easily take to bed. This woman seemed dangerous, and this pull I felt toward her gave me a red alert. Jump ship now, my brain kept saying over and over again, but looking at her in the eyes, my heart couldn’t let her go. “Lead the way.” She smiled and took my hand. This time, we wove through the crowd together. She stopped and leaned in to Angelica, who was at the bar ordering drinks. Turning to look at me, Angelica smirked and leaned back in to Evie’s ear. Whatever she said made her shake her head, but Evie looked back at me with a blush on her face. “Follow me.” Evie pulled me away and headed toward the entrance of the club. The bouncer opened up the door and we walked through. The weather
“So, have I passed your other qualifications?” We were walking back to the strip after spending some time at the park. The strip was crowded and I kept a hand on her waist as we walked. “One. Yes.” I chuckled. “How many qualifications are there?” “Five, actually. Need to have four out of the five to even be considered.” She laughed as she walked, moving us through the crowd seamlessly. “What are the five? You said looks, which I passed with flying colors.” Stopping and moving back toward the wall, she raised an eyebrow. “Flying colors? Aren’t we a little full of ourselves.” “What? If there’s one thing I’m confident in…” “Features given to you by your mom and dad that you literally did nothing to control? Geez, have a little more self-worth, why don’t you.” My mouth fell open. Her mouth quirked up and she started to laugh. She pressed her back against the wall and shook her head. “You pretty boys all think you’re the fucking tits and it makes me laugh.” “You think I’m pretty
I looked down at the coffee in front of me. One cream, one sugar poured into it. It was getting cold, but I couldn’t take my mind away from her. Jason was droning on about his escapades with three of the bridesmaids in his suite on the other side of the table. Reaching out, I grabbed the mug of coffee and took a sip. “Dude, what is up with you today? It’s like you’re not even here.” Smiling, I looked up at Jason who was glaring at me. “Chill, dude. I think I got like two hours of sleep.” “Not at this hotel you didn’t. I checked. Where the hell have you been? You dipped out of the club, and I didn’t see you until this morning. Doing a walk-o-shame into your suite.” “If I’m doing a walk of shame, then you know exactly where I have been. Don’t pretend like you want to know the details about my night.” I shook my head and took another sip. Jason harrumphed and crossed his arms over his chest. “Was it that one girl? What was her name?” “Evie. Her name was Evie.” His eyebrows shot up.
Evie’s eyes widen a bit as the words left my mouth. “Z…” “Tell me you don’t feel it. Tell me it’s just me and I’ll leave now.” “And if…if I do feel it? The pull? The need?” I stared at her for a few moments without saying a word. Leaning in, I kissed her lips gently, barely pressing against them. As I leaned back, I smiled. “Take responsibility. Remember, you’re the adult in this. I will defer to my elders.” Her surprise was quickly replaced by laughter. “As you wish.” She said before standing up, out of my view. As she walking down the aisle, I got to see her in the bridesmaid dress. It was soft lavender and in a very Grecian looking style. There were braided ties that held up the dress and crossed around the back. She walked up to the alter and headed to the far left. Her eyes caught mine and she winked. I watched as she picked up a violin that was plugged into a small amp on the deck. Placing the instrument at her neck, she started to pick at the strings and make adjustments
Leaning against the Corvette, I waited for Evie. After playing the first dance for the bride and groom, she told me to wait outside and we could leave together. Jacket off and put in the trunk, I had my sunglasses back on. The front door opened and I inhaled sharply. Evie bounded out in white jeans that were slightly distressed. The top, or lack thereof, was a black tube top that was a second skin on her already tanned skin. “Come on, pretty boy, pick that jaw off the ground and let’s go!” The smirk played on her lips and she hopped over the side of the Corvette without even opening the passenger door. Shaking my head, I got in the driver’s seat and started up the engine. Evie squealed and as we pulled out, she refused to stop laughing. She stood up, putting her arms up as the wind blew around her. Taking out my phone, I snapped a quick picture of her. This was the third photo I had taken, and I never took photos. “Where are we headed?” She asked as she plopped down in the seat. I
Why am I so fucking nervous? I wiped my palms on a chair before lacing my fingers together. Evie had yelled at me ten minutes before to stop pacing, so I sat down but now I was stuck. Taking deep breaths, I tried to calm myself. Red carpets, charity auctions, tv interviews and I was never as nervous as I was now. Looking at my watch, we were already 10 minutes late. “Evie, we needed to leave like…20 minutes ago.” “Z, you ask me to hurry up one more time, I’m gonna make you go in there alone.” My heart sank and I shut my mouth. Leaning my head back on the chair, I closed my eyes trying to think of something else. Four days. Four days since the wedding. Three from when Jason yelled at me when I said I wasn’t coming back with him to New York. In all my years being his friend, I don’t think I had seen him that angry. I didn’t bother trying to explain, though. He wouldn’t understand. Probably the only person who would have understood would have been my grandfather. “Alright. We can go n