Don't Go There (Awkward Love 5)

“I’m going for a walk,” I announce.

I grab my phone, then head out. Her voice filters through the door when I close it. I smile. Did she even hear me say I was leaving?

Outside, a shiver of excitement rushes through me as I look around. I’m in Vegas, baby. This is the first time I’ve been here and I’m already loving it. The lights, the people, the noise … they’re all things I’d usually avoid, but here, it somehow creates the most amazing atmosphere that I just have to be a part of.

I shiver again, this time from the cool breeze that’s hitting my bare arms. I look up and sigh, because the lights look amazing against the dark backdrop of the sky. I start walking, not even caring where I’m headed. There’s so much to see. Every place I pass is bustling with activity. People are laughing and enjoying themselves. I feel happier just being close to them.

And this is what it’s like on a Wednesday.

I’m feeling something I haven’t felt in a long time. Anticipation. Excitement. I’m looking forward to letting my hair down and having some fun. I laugh, because that’s so unlike me. Especially lately.

I’m the first to admit that the last few months I’ve done nothing but work and study, but the problem is, I had chosen such a competitive field of study that I don’t really have a choice. I’m so close to finishing, which means the harder I work, the better my chances are at securing the job I want. My future is important to me, but maybe Lily and Darcy are right. There has to be a balance, or I’ll burn out.

If that’s the case, then I have a lot of balancing to do.It’s after eight when I let myself back into the room.

“I’m back,” I call out to Darcy.

I quickly change into my go to black dress, then run a brush through my long, wavy hair. I dab on some lip gloss, then some mascara, and I’m done. I study my reflection in the mirror, smiling at Darcy as she wanders out of the bathroom. She looks at me in surprise, her heavily made up eyes clouded with confusion.

“You went out?”“And a HeadFucker for the pretty lady.”

My eyes widen at the sheer size of the very over-the-top cocktail the waiter just placed in front of me. The name is appropriate, because it’s fucking with my head just looking at it. When I agreed to one drink, I didn’t realize I needed to specify a size limit. He flashes me a smile and I flush, while Darcy scowls at him.

“Yo. Romeo.” She snaps her fingers to get his attention, then she motions to herself. “I’m right here, dude. Right. Here.”

He looks at her in surprise, like he’s noticing her for the first time, then he mumbles an apology. I shake my head at her and laugh, while Lily looks up from her phone, a confused expression on her face.

“Huh?” she mutters.

“Nothing. Go back to stalking Julian.” Darcy sighs.

“I’m not stalking him,” Lily huffs. “I’m just—” She stops, her frown intensifying as she stares at her phone. “Fine. I’m stalking him.”

I lower my head to disguise my amusement and exchange a look with Darcy, who is openly laughing. Lily hunches forward and turns her attention back to her phone, just like she’s been doing since we left the hotel. She’s barely come up for air. Even now, in this awesome bar that gives us the most incredible view of Vegas, she’s barely looked at anything other than that screen.

Me, on the other hand …

I’m seriously starting to wonder whether I’ve been missing out something. I close my eyes and let my body react to the beat of the music, because it’s impossible not to. I’m enjoying myself so much more than I thought I would. I sway to the music, a smile on my face, then I jump when Darcy’s voice interrupts my moment.

“You’re loving this, aren’t you?” Her eyes light up.

“Maybe a little?” I grin.

“I knew it.” She claps her hands together in victory. “Now all we need is to get you some action and it will be just like every other trip to Vegas I’ve had.”

“Excuse me?” I say, laughing. “I don’t need or want a man, thank you.”

“Oh, settle down, Beyoncé,” she teases. “It’s been years since anyone ventured up that road, so I think it’s about time.” She grins at me. “I heard the last guy who tried to go there got stuck halfway and had to be winched to safety. I also heard—”

“Oh, shut up,” I growl, laughing. “It hasn’t been that long.”

But it feels like it. It doesn’t help that my last encounter was completely unsatisfying, because the guy was drunk and had no idea what he was doing. He couldn’t even aim for the right hole, if you catch my drift. After that experience, I kind gave up. I put all my energy into work and studying, because at least that gave me some reward.