Chapter Twenty-One #3
A set of stairs opened to a smaller space that overlooked the dance floor on all sides.
The booths here were larger, the seats and benches deeper and more spacious, the lighting dim and intimate.
Each section was flanked by potted palms, faux cacti, and flowering plants that provided a sense of privacy.
The music wasn’t as loud in this space, either, which made conversation more manageable.
“It’s much better up here,” I said, glancing about.
“Right? That’s why I made this reservation months ago.” Denise snorted. “I’m too old to be shouting over the music all night.”
She led us to a table in the corner near the railing that overlooked the lower level, and a smile spread across my lips when I spied Camila cuddled in a large armchair with a tall blond man.
“Sofia, you’re here,” Camila cried, jumping to her feet and grasping my hands, bussing each of my cheeks. “It’s so good to see you.”
My smile was so big it hurt my cheeks. “And I’m so happy you could come celebrate New Year’s with us.” I pulled Denise into my side and introduced her to Camila.
“Oh, you’re the one who reserved the table.” Camila pecked Denise on the cheek. “Thank you so much. This is amazing.”
Denise beamed. “I’m glad you think so. The music is great, the drinks are good, and they don’t skimp on the alcohol. Plus, the vibes are immaculate.”
After Camila introduced us to Sam, who was incredibly good-looking if a bit shy, and content to stand by Camila’s side as she chattered away, I glanced about a bit anxiously.
Leaning to Camila’s ear, I asked, “Where’s Alex?”
The other woman’s eyes sparkled as her gaze slid to a spot over my shoulder. Glancing back, my gaze collided with Alex’s just as he emerged from the crowd on the other side of the room, and my mouth went dry.
He was dressed completely in black, from his perfectly tailored trousers to his fitted black collared shirt that hinted at his athletic frame.
His dark hair was stylishly tousled, and to my delight, Alex’s black-framed glasses sat perched on his nose.
My lips slid into a dreamy smile against my will.
Several women watched him as he walked past, and I couldn’t fault them for their admiration because Alex looked so good, heat coiled low in my core. But what made my chest absurdly tight was that Alex kept his eyes on me and no one else.
“Hi, beautiful.” His hand pressed against my lower back, his thumb sweeping across my skin as his gaze darted between my eyes and lips. “You look unbelievable.”
“So do you,” I breathed, and I wished, with a fiery passion, that we were back at my house. Alone.
Before I could say anything else, a server maneuvered past Alex to place a tray ladened with drinks on the table. Alex grabbed a glass from the collection and handed it to me. I blinked, realizing it was a mojito.
“Salud,” Alex murmured, clinking his glass with mine.
“Salud,” I echoed, beaming up at him. My smile died an abrupt death, however, when my gaze shifted to Denise’s narrowed eyes.
Oh no.
When I instinctively moved to step away from Alex, he grabbed my elbow. “Let’s dance.”
A La Mákina song reverberated through the club, and already the beat thrummed through my limbs. But Denise’s stare felt like a weight upon my skin.
Alex must have noticed my discomfort because his expression clouded. “What’s wrong?”
The urge to tell him that we needed to be more careful with how we acted around each other because I didn’t want any negative attention on our last night together was strong. But truly, I didn’t want anything to distract from this night with Alex. Not my friend’s judgment, and not my own guilt.
I had plenty of time to feel terrible tomorrow.
So instead, I jerked my head toward the stairs. “Let’s go.”
Without a word, Alex grabbed my hand and escorted me downstairs.
We weaved through the couples stepping and twirling on the dance floor until we arrived at the center of the action.
Alex spun me out, teasing a gasp from my lips, before twirling me back into his arms. With one hand wrapped around my back and the other grasping mine, we moved to the beat, spinning together and twirling apart.
I laughed, smiling up at Alex as we raised our joined hands, our hips swaying in unison.
The crowd around us was electrified, every couple engrossed in the music and the collective energy, but I only had eyes for Alex.
For the song’s ending notes, Alex swooped me into a dip, his grin bright as he looked down at me. Impulsively, I yanked his head down and kissed him. It was a short, flirtatious kiss, but God, it felt good to taste him again. Alex broke away with a chuckle and whirled me into another song.
Fifteen minutes later, Alex and I returned to the booth, sweaty and out of breath, but grinning like idiots. He offered to flag down the server to request water and drinks, so I turned to slide into a chair…but instead came face-to-face with an irate Denise.
Gripping my arm, she hauled me behind a collection of plants, her expression a thunderstorm.
“Are you sleeping with Alex?”