“I should’ve guessed you’d be a VIP,” she said.
She felt Ash’s arms tighten around her, but she didn’t think anything of it. The crowd was growing and things were getting tight. He was probably just steering her out of the way. She swirled her hips against his leg but couldn’t bring her eyes back to him. The club was so reminiscent of their time on the island that she’d already been swept back into that dream. Into that fantasy he painted so perfectly before destroying it with his money. With his words.
With his lies.
The song came to an end and Kallie tried to catch her breath. Sweat was dripping down her neck and her mind came reeling back into the present.
Where was Eris?
“If you want,” Ash said, “you can come up to the VIP area. Grab a drink. Catch your breath away from the crowd.”
“I’m not alone tonight, Ash.”
Kallie watched Ash’s face fall, and she furrowed her brow. What the hell was he so worried about? Kallie looked back at Eris and beckoned her forward, then she grabbed her friend’s hand. How in the world was she going to explain this? She saw the confusion on Eris’s face. How was she going to tell her friend that this was the guy from the island and still keep Eris from running her mouth off at him?
“I’m with my friend, Eris,” Kallie said.
“Then bring her along,” Ash said with a shrug.
“Who’s the guy?” Eris said into her ear.
Kallie leaned over and pressed her lips to her friend’s ear.
“Remember island guy?” Kallie asked. “He’s inviting us to the VIP section for a drink and a rest.”
She watched her friend’s eyes widen before Eris tugged her hand.
“Come on. Let’s go,” Eris said.
“Lead the way,” Kallie said as she stumbled behind her friend.
Even over the crowd, she could hear Ash’s chuckle. He stepped out in front of them and led the way, walking up a thin spiral staircase. They were soon dumped into a glass encasement that was significantly quieter, cooler, and filled with fresher air. Kallie looked out along the crowd and tried to tell herself it was only temporary. That being in a VIP section didn’t make Ash like James. But she’d been stowed away in so many of them that it didn’t hold the kind of grandeur it did for Eris.
Who was gawking while looking around the glass encasement.
Kallie felt a tug on her waist and dropped to a soft couch underneath her. Ash wasted no time in threading his arm around her waist, but Kallie promptly scooted away. Closer to Eris, who was clearly giving Ash the stink eye. She had no issues taking him up on the offer of VIP treatment, but Kallie knew Eris wouldn't let Ash off the hook that easily.
“Would the three of you like anything to drink?” a man in a suit asked.
“Yes. I’ll have three fingers of scotch on the rocks,” Ash said. “And the girls would like...?”
“A rum and Coke,” Eris said. “And Kallie here will take a margarita.”
“I will?” Kallie asked.
“Make it a mango one if you’ve got it,” Eris said.
Ash chuckled and the sound froze Kallie in her place.
“So, who is your lovely friend, Kallie?” Ash asked.
“You remember me mentioning my maid of honor from time to time?” Kallie asked. “This is Eris.”
“Ah, so this is the woman who found the asshole in the closet,” he said. “I’m Ash.”
“I know,” Eris said flatly.
Great. This was going to be fun.