Claire
The line looks long and menacing and I don't know how we'll ever get through.
In truth, this is not my scene. I go out to the clubs sometimes, but usually, I'm more of an intimate bar kind of gal. I like to hang at the lounge of an upscale hotel, like the Ritz and be able to relax with a martini.
I prefer to hear the conversation and not have to scream over the noise in order to be heard.
Nonetheless, we're here. And noise is exactly what I need to get my mind off Liam. I'm determined to drown him out no matter what it takes, even if that means dancing at the hottest club in town and standing in line for an hour.
Luckily for me, Charlotte darts to the head of the line, whispers something in the bouncer's ear, and he pulls back the velvet rope and lets us right in.
"How'd you do that?" I ask.
"Are you kidding me? I know every bouncer in town. I make it my mission to get on their good side so that I can always get into whatever club I want."
"You are unbelievable."
"Yeah well, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. I don't want to miss out on any of the action. It's all about who you know," she says.
I knew there was a reason I'm best friends with Charlotte. She's very crafty. And she's also known around town as somewhat of an ‘It’ girl. It makes me look good to be with her.
Even though I feel out of my element, I'm determined to make the most of it. I slip off my little shawl and put it in my purse so that I expose as much skin as possible. Tonight, I want to attract a guy—a guy who is not Liam.
He just gets under my skin and I can't pinpoint why. Maybe it's his arrogance or the way he was staring at me with reckless abandon, not even trying to hide it. Something about him simultaneously attracts and infuriates me. It's a dangerous combination.
Charlotte takes my hand and leads me to the bar.
"What will you have?" the bartender asks.
"Two shots of Patron and two Coronas please," Charlotte says.
She always knows exactly what to order in order to loosen things up. She's like a connoisseur of cocktails.
The tequila shots arrive and we toast to our friendship before gulping down the harsh liquid. I immediately chase it with my beer and am feeling better already. It's gonna be a good night.
More and more people are starting to filter into the club and it's becoming pretty packed.
I guzzle down my beer and Charlotte looks at me in surprise.
"Wow, you're really going for it tonight, huh?"
"Go big or go home," I say as I pull her away from the bar and onto the dance floor.
Dancing in a club is such a dizzying experience. With the DJ's vibrating music and so many people around, I feel like I can finally let loose. I feel like my real life doesn't exist and the only thing that matters is this moment and my ability to let go.
I pull her to the center of the dance floor and, before long, there are various guys surrounding us. None of them attract me, of course. Like I said, I have high standards.
But tonight, it's not about that. Tonight, it's about escapism. I'm trying to escape the memory of one hot guy. I'm trying to escape my feelings for someone that I know I shouldn't be with. And because of that, I'll dance with anyone who's offering.
One guy comes up close and he seems good enough.
"You look nice tonight," he says over the loud thumping of the music.
"What?" I say to him over the heavy music.
"I said you look nice tonight."
"Oh, thank you."
Charlotte is eyeing our exchange and I can tell she knows exactly what I'm thinking. This guy is not worth my time. But I don't care. I just need to dance with someone.
There are so many people around us that he presses up against me. The encounter makes me uncomfortable. I don't like to be touched by strangers. But I try to dance with him and I try to make it fun.
We stay on the floor for a few songs and I have to admit the DJ's really good. New York has the best nightlife in the country. That's for sure.
Charlotte has found her own guy to dance with and for a while, it's really fun to just forget about real life.
My concerns about the precarious financial position of my company and about needing to land the Velvet Luxe campaign all go on the back burner. For now it's just me and her, these random guys, and the dance floor. That's all I need.
After a while I feel exhausted. Charlotte and I are both hot and sweaty. I decide it's time to break away from these guys.
"Want to get a drink?" I yell to her over the music.
"Yes, let's get out of here," she says.
I follow her through the crowd and, at last, we break free and get to the bar. I definitely need a drink and a breather.
We find a couple of seats in the corner.
This time I order for the both of us. "Two vodka sodas, please."
As soon I do, I look up and see him...Liam’s at the bar.