36. Jules #2
I’m sipping on tea between writing sessions when my phone buzzes with a text from the girls.
**The SnackPack**
Sage
Let’s go out tonight. We haven’t had a girl’s night in forever.
Elena
I’m down. Archer’s?
Sage
I want to get dressed up, and not for work
Lavinia
Let’s go where everyone knows our name
Jules
The Velvet Vixen
Elena
If Roman allows
Lavinia
That was one time and I found it romantic
Jules
Of course, you did. You’re in love.
Lavinia
The three of you will know how I feel when you’re in my position
Sometimes these men do impact your ability to think, in a good way
Elena
No thanks. That sounds like a nightmare
Sage
I get what she’s saying. I’ve been there.
Elena
Oooh, tea!
Lavinia
Does this have anything to do with a certain dark haired defenseman?
Sage
…I’ll see you girls tonight at The Velvet Vixen. Bye
Elena
OMG
Lavinia
We’ll get her tonight
After we confirm the time, I set my phone aside. Lying to Lavinia is like lying to myself. The longer this goes on, the more it’s going to hurt her. The only thing that’s holding me back is all the expectations that will come with telling her and the family.
It will make things official in a way that I won’t be able to undo. What if we don’t work out? A part of me will feel forced to continue the relationship for the sake of the family because I don’t want to lose them.
Why did I have to find the one man who’s perfect in every way and makes everything that much more complicated?
Bailey barks, running out of the kitchen and towards the front door. Drew is home from practice. My heart jumps in my chest, stomach swooping with butterflies. Apparently, I’m just as excited as Bailey for his return.
I walk to the door, pulling it open just as Drew walks up the porch steps. Bailey runs out excitedly, her tail wagging. Drew drops his bag, crouching down to pet her as she barks in excitement.
“How was your day?” Drew asks, standing up.
I lift a shoulder in a shrug. “Not bad. Got a fair bit of writing done.”
He stands up, walking forward to kiss me. I pull back before his lips touch mine and fist my hands into his shirt, pulling him into the house. The door shuts behind and I jump up, wrapping my legs around his waist. Drew grips my ass, holding me against him as Bailey circles his legs.
“I missed you,” Drew murmurs, before his lips meet mine.
I smile softly, melting against him. It makes me want to laugh a little when I think about how much time we spent hating each other and now he holds me when I’m distressed and tells me he misses me.
Not to mention the kissing. I never knew I could love a small intimacy like kissing and enjoy it so much.
Drew pushes me against the foyer wall, our mouths moving together frantically.
“Maybe, if you’re up to it, we can finish watching Psycho tonight,” Drew says, pulling back a little.
“You just want to get me shirtless.” I smirk as his eyes drop down to my chest.
He swallows as his cheeks redden. “I won’t deny I have an ulterior motive.”
I giggle, dropping down to my feet. “I’d love to, but I can’t. The girls and I are going out tonight.”
The sight of him almost pouting makes me laugh out loud.
“Am I drunk or is this the best drink I’ve ever tasted?” Elena asks. Whenever she moves, the lights reflect off her shimmering skin.
Lavinia, the Twilight lover that she is, was delighted when she saw Elena sparkling like a vampire. With her dark hair, short black dress, and high heeled boots, Elena can easily pass for a vampire if she wants to. Too bad Halloween is still weeks away.
“You’re drunk,” Sage confirms. “This is vile.”
We were given some kind of fruit cocktail mixture to try and it’s honestly the most disgusting thing I’ve ever tried.
“It’s not that bad,” Lavinia says, tossing her hair over shoulder. She’s wearing a shimmering red dress that almost matches her hair.
“As the owner, of course you’re going to defend your establishment,” I tease.
Roman bought the burlesque bar earlier this year because he’s possessive and protective. I had to agree with her that’s possibly the hottest thing a man can do. He dropped a lot of money just to keep Lavinia safe.
“Don’t remind me,” Sage groans. “Here she’s getting a man to buy her bars and I can’t even get one to stay through a date.” The navy blue dress she’s wearing brings out her dark hair and brown eyes, making her look almost regal.
“Had a lot of bad dates?” Elena asks in a commiserating tone.
“One bad date,” Sage says. “I did it as an experiment and decided never again. I’ve given up on men.”
I can’t say that when I gave up on men, I turned around and found the perfect one sitting next to me all along. Guilt twists like a knife blade in my chest and I glance at Lavinia. We don’t keep secrets and I’m keeping possibly the biggest one from her.
I’m going to die.
“I’m sure you’ll find someone,” Lavinia says. “Dating isn’t easy. I almost married an absolute loser before Roman.”
“Calling that asshole a loser is an insult to losers,” I say. Sage and Elena mod in agreement. Not only did her ex leave her at the altar, he also tried to destroy her career and reputation.
“Ugh, let’s not talk about him.” Lavinia makes a face of disgust, waving her hand as if to disperse the air of all mentions of him.
The MC steps on stage then, announcing the next show. I never knew watching burlesque could be so empowering. To see a gorgeous, confident woman up on stage, holding everyone’s attention while she puts on a sensual show is enough to almost re-wire my brain.
We clap and hoot when the show is over. When the lights come back on, I lean in closer to Lavinia.
“Vin, we need to talk,” I whisper.