Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 108636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 543(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 543(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
I laugh. “Avery, we live and work together.”
“No, no, I know, but I mean quality time.”
Green velvet covering the walls, strobe lights, and go-go dancers in cages wafting sage into the air as they shake their asses for everyone in the club on a Saturday night isn’t generally my idea of quality time, but for Avery, having me out for a booze-filled party with her is the pinnacle. She’s always down for a mani-pedi too, but seeing as she usually goes for those during work hours, coming to Sage was the only option.
I can’t help but laugh again as she screams over the obnoxious level of noise around us, lights strobing across our faces as the DJ builds a beat. “Oh yeah. The quality of this time is unmatched.”
When she gives me a thumbs-up and stands up to dance, her drink in hand, I know she didn’t even hear me.
I sip on the signature green-colored cocktail that I’ve been nursing for the past hour and pull my phone out of my purse when it buzzes. A Midnight notification on the screen makes me smile, and I open the chat to a message from Beau.
ThunderStruck: How’s the club?
I look up to see that Avery is currently busy grinding on that guy Fester and type out a response.
ElizaBeth: Pretty much as expected, I’d say. But Avery sure is enjoying herself.
ThunderStruck: I bet. What did you say the name of it is again?
ElizaBeth: Sage. It’s got a whole witchcraft vibe going.
ThunderStruck: Lol. Appropriate, I suppose, for feeling like you’re being burned at the stake.
ElizaBeth: It’s not that bad. Just not my vibe, you know. It’d be better if you were here.
I smile to myself as I picture him getting all flirty back but startle when Avery snatches my phone out of my hand and hides it behind her back.
My heart thrums, hoping she won’t decide to look at the screen. Flirting with Beau in secret was a good time—but the good time is gone. And in its place, pure panic.
“Juniper freaking Perry, put your phone away this instant! I need a partner in crime.”
Using the path of least resistance, I agree, grabbing the phone back from her and tucking it in my purse before she can decide to take a look at it. She smiles and drags me onto the dance floor, and the two of us flail around like a couple of happy wackos.
It is fun, I’ll admit, especially since none of Avery’s male suitors are with us at the moment. I sing along to the song and bounce up and down, my hair springing as I bob my head back and forth. The lights go into an intense show as the DJ kicks the song up a notch, and everyone on the dance floor jumps up and down, shouting at the top of their lungs.
I join in until my lungs feel sore and my feet start to ache.
I point to the VIP booth and Avery nods, and the two of us hold hands as we make our way off the dance floor and fall onto the green velvet bench seat. Sweat sticks to my chest, and I blot at it with a napkin while Avery downs another glass of vodka cran.
I want to pull out my phone and check it, but I know it’ll end in disaster if Avery gets a hold of it again. Instead, I survey the writhing room of bodies, my ears perking up when I notice Seth and Bethany about ten feet away.
I elbow Avery to draw her attention to them, and I instantly regret it when she starts waving her arms wildly to get their attention.
Shit.
Bethany’s wearing a skintight blue dress, and Seth trails behind her like a puppy as they make their way over to us.
Seth’s expression is stalwart, and I know it’s because he’s still a little mad at me for failing to get his envelope to the courier by five on Tuesday. I played it off innocently enough, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s holding a grudge. Which, whatever, because fuck that guy.
“Hey, girls,” Bethany greets, a smile as fake as her tits on her face. “Having a fun night out?”
“Just getting started,” Avery tells her on a hoot that makes me roll my eyes.
“Speak for yourself.”
Bethany’s expression is cunning as she smiles directly at me. “I know this isn’t quite your scene, huh, Juniper?” She laughs out loud and at me. “Oh my God, you were so awkward as a teenager! All arms and legs and unsure of yourself.” Her nose wrinkles up before she leans in close to make sure both Avery and I can hear her. “Did you ever get over your crush on Beau? You used to be so obsessed with him.”
My ears run hot and my lips dry as I try not to freak out right then and there. I knew she was around a lot, but I had no freaking clue she had any idea I was mooning over her boyfriend. Her sharing it with the room is a real asshole move.