Total pages in book: 230
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Before he got a chance to come around to open my door, Amir was there, opening it and helping me out of the car.
“Are you sure you want to be at this place?”
“Why not? I’m here to have fun.”
“There are two famous DJs in here tonight. It’ll be crowded. I called the manager from the car and was able to secure a hidden area in the VIP section.” Amir’s expression was serious. “As long as you know what you’re getting yourself into.”
“I’ll be fine.” I smiled and looked at Ben, who was coming around the car.
I wasn’t sure what I expected him to do, but reaching for my hand was not one of the options. So, when he did, a thrill ran through me. We followed Amir as three other security detail members surrounded us. Even though the paparazzi weren’t allowed here, it didn’t surprise me that people with phones pointed them at us, snapping photos and taking videos as we passed. I looked at Ben to see how he was reacting to it. If his head was down, I’d keep mine down as well, but he held his high, his smile prideful, his hand tightening around mine. I smiled widely, unable to contain my excitement, and looked forward with my head held high as well. I was happy to be here with him, and I had absolutely nothing to hide. We were escorted upstairs to a dark, secluded area, right above the DJ. Ben kept my hand in his as he spoke to the waitress, and I looked around. He tugged my hand and led me to the couch, where we still had a view of the stage the DJ was on.
“What do you want to drink?” He brought his mouth near my ear.
“Anything,” I shouted. “Vodka?”
“I got vodka and tequila.” He smiled. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drinking. I mean, last time excluded.”
“I don’t normally.” I laughed. “You know my family.”
“I do, and they party pretty hard.” He looked amused.
“I was never allowed to do that. This is my vacation from them, and the first time I’m experiencing all of this.” I frowned, meeting his eyes. “I’ve been to clubs, it’s not that I haven’t, but I don’t actually… I don’t know. I don’t know how to explain it.”
“You don’t let yourself go.”
“I guess,” I said after a moment of mulling it over. “But last time I went overboard. I was also on some medication I’d forgotten about.”
“Medication for what?”
“I had a sinus infection, and they gave me meds for it. It was my last day on them, but they must have been pretty hardcore because I blacked out.”
“I won’t let you do that today.”
I smiled and watched as the waitress set our bottles on the table and then put out glasses for us.
“That’s a lot of alcohol,” I said.
“I have friends passing by. I hope that’s okay.”
“Yeah, of course.” I smiled. “Do you introduce everyone to your friends?”
“Not everyone.” He smiled as he reached for the bottle of vodka and poured it into our glasses. “Juice or soda?”
“Juice, please.”
“I only introduce important people to my friends and family.”
“Important people,” I echoed. “And I’m on that list?”
“It appears so.”
“So…” I sighed. “I feel like I should tell you something.”
“Sounds serious.” He sat back on the couch after handing me my glass and taking a sip from his own. “What’s up?”
“A woman approached me this morning on my way to lunch. She said a lot of things I can’t even remember right now, but at the end of it, she suggested that you always travel with her. That she’s the one you always go back to.”
“Kayla.” He exhaled heavily, shaking his head. “What did she say?”
“I honestly don’t remember. My mind was racing, and I couldn’t focus on all of it. Something about you having a woman you put in front of everyone, but I don’t know if she meant her or someone else.” I bit my lip and took a hefty gulp of the vodka and orange juice, trying not to cringe when I swallowed. First drinks were always the hardest. “And then I realized I don’t know much about you at all.”
“We’ve known each other for years.”
“And yet, I don’t know much about you.”
“Hmm.” He focused on the DJ as he sipped his drink. I focused on his guarded expression.
“Not very forthcoming,” I said after a moment.
“What would you like to know?” He glanced at me. “Just ask.”
“I guess I don’t have a specific question.” I took another sip of my drink. “Do you really travel with Kayla everywhere?”
“No, and if she approaches you again, you should probably have Amir or whoever you’re with intervene.”
“She seemed pretty harmless.”
“I’m not saying she’d harm you physically, but there’s no use subjecting yourself to things like that. From anyone.”