CHAPTER FIFTEEN

How’s your night going?

AJ read the text on her phone and smiled as she texted back her reply.

You’ll never guess where the girls wanted to take Amy.

A moment later her phone chimed with a response.

Bourbon Bar?

Yes.

No shit?

No shit.

She grinned at her smartass answer. When there was no further reply, she slipped her phone back into her tiny evening bag and picked up her glass to sip on her Apple-tini.

She crossed her legs, their long length revealed by her short silver spangled mini dress. She and her three girlfriends sat at a high-top table in the crowded nightclub. A driving dance beat pulsed around them in perfect sync with the flashing light show.

It wasn’t but a couple of minutes after her last text to Undertaker that the waitress came over with another round of drinks.

“Are you Allison Carter?” the girl asked her.

She frowned. “Yes. Why?”

“These are on the house, ladies. I’ve been informed your tab for the rest of the night is comp-ed.”

“Wait…” AJ put a hand on her arm. “Why?”

“Compliments of one of the owners.”

AJ’s big eyes met her girlfriends’ stares. They frowned at her.

“Do you know one of the owners?” Amy asked.

AJ bit her lip and nodded. “The guy I was telling you about.”

Bella leaned closer, and her mouth dropped open. “The one you’re dating?”

“We’re not dating, exactly.”

Kelsey’s brows rose. “Well you’re something. You said he had some of his friends help out with your charity, and then they escorted that girl to court Monday morning.”

“And I thought you said he made you dinner the other night?” Bella added.

“I didn’t say he made me dinner.”

“To-MAY-to, to-MAH-to.” Amy leaned closer. “Do you like this guy or not?”

AJ took another sip of her drink. “Yes, I like him. I like him a lot. More than I thought I would.”

“And that’s bad why exactly?”

Her fingers ran up and down the stem of her glass. “It’s just, well, he’s not the kind of guy I thought I’d ever date. And I’m not even sure I’m ready to date again.”

Bella put a hand on AJ’s arm. “Allison, how long has it been?”

AJ hesitated, finally admitting, “Four years.”

“Allie, honey, that’s long enough, that’s too long. It’s time to get on with your life.”

“So, what’s this new guy look like?” Kelsey asked.

AJ bit her lip, wondering how in the world she could ever describe a man like Derek, but then she decided it would be easier to show them the selfie she’d taken of the two of them. She took her cell phone out and pulled up the photo, turning the screen to face them.

“Oh. My. God.”

“He’s gorgeous.”

“I love a man with a beard. He looks so badass.”

“Guys like him, they don’t do commitment,” she said, trying to downplay it. “This is just fun. I’m going in with my eyes wide open.”

“Fun is good,” Bella agreed. “Especially when it looks like that.”

“Let’s not talk about me anymore,” AJ insisted. “We’re here to celebrate Amy’s birthday!” She raised her glass in toast.

Amy downed her drink and then yelled above the next song that came on, “That’s right! Rob’s home with the baby, and I get a rare night out with the girls. And I want to dance! Let’s go, ladies.”

She led them all, dancing out onto the strobe-lit floor.

AJ decided to let go and have a good time, knowing nights like this with her girlfriends were few and far between, especially since most of them were already married and starting families.

It was four or five songs later before a sweaty AJ finally made her way back to their table. She took a big sip of a fresh drink and sat on her stool, her feet aching in the strappy high-heeled Valentino’s she wore.

Her friends were still out on the dance floor having a glorious time.

A good-looking guy came over to the table and asked if she’d care to dance, but she turned him down. When he walked away, her eyes strayed to the smoked window above the club, the one that Derek had pointed out to her as the owner’s office. She caught the flare of a lighter as a cigarette was lit. It briefly illuminated just the dark shadowed outline of a man. The lighter went out, and the tip of the cigarette glowed bright as he took a deep drag from it, one hand in his pocket.

AJ knew immediately it was him. He was standing up there watching them, watching her. He’d come because she was here. She smiled a secret smile.

She lifted her glass to the window in a tiny salute, then took her cell phone out of her bag and checked it, but there were no missed texts. She set the phone on the table face up so she’d see it illuminate. She was sure if that was Derek up there in that office he’d text her.

A moment later, the screen lit up. She picked it up and read the incoming text.

I like the dress.

She smiled and glanced up at the window but could barely make out a shadow. The screen on her phone lit up again.

How much longer before I get to take it off you?

She texted a reply, a happy smile on her face.

How about now?

His response was instantaneous.

Say goodnight to your friends and meet me in the back hall.

She smiled and did as she was told, finding Bella on the dance floor and informing her she was going home with her new guy.

Bella hugged her, telling her she was happy for her.

AJ made her way down the back hall and found Derek leaning against the wall, waiting for her. He whistled low and long, and she couldn’t help but smile. He made a circular motion with his finger, indicating for her to twirl around. She did so, laughing and stumbling slightly.

He tugged her up against him and kissed her deeply. “You have a good time?” he asked.

She nodded. “Yes. Were you watching?”

“For a little bit. Got here not too long ago. You drive?”

She shook her head.

“You ready to get outta here?”

“Yes,” she replied breathlessly.

“Can you ride in that dress?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know, can I?”

He chuckled. “We’re gonna find out.” Then he took her hand and pulled her behind him out the door. “Come on, sexy lady.”