Lucy clears her throat loudly, and when I glance over, she’s wearing a shit-eating grin.
The second the guys pass by us, she leans in and squeezes my arm. “Jeez. Did you get a good look at him?”
“To be honest, not really.”
“Damn. Well he was super hot and he definitely smiled at you.”
“Who cares?” Mia chimes in.
Lucy throws her hands up in defeat. “Ugh, you guys are so boring! I miss having a single friend to live vicariously through. Now we just have to sit here and pick our noses in boredom.”
“Gee thanks, I’m so happy you came out to celebrate my birthday.” Mia laughs with a shake of her head.
Lucy reaches across the table and grabs Mia’s arm. “You know what I mean! We’re all old maids now, or so it seems. When did that happen? Owen and I are so boring. We schedule sex!”
“I kind of like scheduling sex,” Blythe says with a shrug. “Builds the anticipation.”
Mia smirks. “That reminds me—how does Friday at 4 PM work for you?”
Blythe winks. “Let me check my calendar.”
Lucy turns to me with a desperate plea. “Ugh! Maddie, save us. Tell us what it’s like to be in a new relationship. I miss all the drama! All the raging hormones!”
Three sets of eyes turn to me, and I have no idea what to say. I’ve been keeping my troubles with Aiden close to my chest.
“Well…it’s…we’re still working out the kinks.”
Lucy makes a sound of disgust. “Working out the kinks!? In the beginning with Owen, the only kink was in the bedroom. Seriously.”
“Yeah, well…” I square my shoulders, feeling defensive. “It’s different. We’re long distance, so it’s not all fun and games, I guess.”
“I get it, Maddie,” Blythe says, throwing me a supportive smile.
“Okay,” Mia says, standing up. “How about we blow this joint and go somewhere a little more upbeat?”
Lucy throws her hands in the air. “Yes! Dancing. Now!”We’re at the most intense dance club I’ve been to in years. There are strobe lights, blaring music, and so many bodies crushed around me in the center of the dance floor, I’m not sure I could leave even if I wanted to. It’s freeing, though, being out here with Lucy, letting my hair down, trying out ridiculous dance moves. She’s a good partner. She shoos away any guys who get too close then picks right up where she left off, taking my hand and spinning me around so fast we both end up laughing so hard we’re bent over trying to regain our balance.
Mia and Blythe were out here with us too, but they left to get more drinks at the bar. The night feels young and I’m in no hurry to leave the dance floor. A new song switches on, and the crowd around us instantly recognizes it and goes wild.
“I’m so old,” Lucy teases. “Who is this?”
“How am I supposed to know?!”
It doesn’t matter. The crowd doesn’t leave room for any stragglers. We dance with everyone, feeling the music, even if we have no idea what song we’re listening to.
I’m smiling, happy for the first time in what feels like weeks, when I look up and see Aiden standing just off the dance floor.
AIDEN.
My heart leaps just before sanity sets in and reminds me that’s impossible.
No.
He’s not here.
He’s in Dubai.
Still, I can’t help but do a double take, craning my neck to see over and around the crowd of people. I’m preparing myself for the inevitable letdown, my breath frozen in my chest, my heart hammering a quick rhythm, and then I see him again.
Aiden.
He’s standing at the edge of the dance floor, and his black shirt matches his hair. His mouth is unsmiling as his eyes lock with mine. Strobe lights cast him in contrasting colors, red then yellow then green then blue. He starts to move toward me, and I think I’ve had one too many drinks. Either that or I’m asleep and this is just a vivid dream.
It feels so real. It feels like I’m still in the club, watching Aiden slowly slice through the crowd to get to me. Bodies crush in against me as I stay stock-still. An elbow hits my ribs, but it doesn’t hurt. Nothing hurts anymore now that Aiden is here.
He gets closer and I see his eyes, pale green in the dark club.
It really is him.
He’s here, a few yards away from me, and then a few feet. He disappears for a moment, ducking around a couple, and then he’s standing right in front of me, tall, solid, real.
I drag my gaze up over his chest, higher, until our eyes lock.
My mouth drops open in shock.
He smiles and a dimple pops.
I shake my head in disbelief. No. No. He can’t be here. How is he here?
I feel a tear on my cheek, but it’s gone quickly, swiped away by Aiden’s thumb.