Sugar Rush (Friend-Zoned 3)

Already salivating, I almost yelled, “Deal!”

This was going to be interesting.

***

Helena

The moment we arrive at The White Rabbit, something feels different. For the first time since I’ve been in New York, I feel happy to be out amongst the people, without feeling tired. I guess everything was coming together in its own way. And I’m happy for this. Felicity and I stroll up to the entry, where B-Rock, the massive, bald-headed African-American security guard, makes us kiss his head before getting in. He is a sweet guy and tells us his wife, Honey, had just given birth to their fifth child the previous week. He gets double kisses for that.

Felicity and I hold hands as we sweep through the crowd over to the stairs, where a new Alice is manning the out-of-bounds, family-only, VIP area. Having been here a few times before, I know the protocol. Smiling, I start, “Hi. We’re on the list. Helena Kovac and friend.”

The Alice doesn’t lift her eyes to us. With her head down, she checks the list and lets us in without a word spoken. Most people would have thought that bitchy, but I can see immediately the girl is just shy and probably not used to working with people.

We make our way up the stairs, and before I hit the top step, I see them. Nat, Mimi, Lola, and Tina sit on one side of the booth, while Nik and Trick sit on the opposite side. They’re all smiling and laughing, already having a good time. I can’t help but feel my stomach coil at not seeing Max sitting there. I mean, I know the guy has to work, but I was still hoping to see him. I mentally hang my head in shame.

Okay, okay. I’ll be honest. I really just came here to see him. Ugh. I know. Pathetic.

I paste on a smile, link my arm through Felicity’s, and walk us over to the booth. “Hi, guys,” I call as we approach the side. The women turn to me smiling, but quickly gape.

Nat is the first to speak. “Holy shit.”

Tina blinks, and then adds, “Yeah, I second that.”

Lola whistles. “Damn, Lena.”

Mimi ogles me appreciatively. “Oh yeah, I’m liking that dress.”

A blush heats my cheeks. I mumble, “Ah, thanks. I don’t think you’ve met Felicity before,” then I pull her with a jerk, throwing her in the line of fire. Felicity handles it like a pro, greeting everyone with smiles, handshakes, and compliments on what they’re wearing. It’s like she was made to be around people.

I slide in next to Nik, and Felicity sits by my side, already talking away at the girls. I hear conversations going on around me, but I don’t hear much of anything being said. I’m too busy looking around. Looking for someone.

“He’s downstairs, in the security room with Ash,” is whispered into my ear.

My cheeks flame. I look up at Nik, and stammer, “I don’t know…I mean, I wasn’t look—” He raises a brow as he looks down at me, and I know I’m busted. I slump. “Was I that obvious?”

He lowers his voice a notch. “Not to anyone but me. I see all.”

I sit and smile with no feeling, pretending to listen to the conversation as I sip my drink. I should get up and dance. I should ask Felicity to dance with me. That’s what people do when they go to clubs, don’t they? They dance…I think. Nudging Felicity, she takes the hint and steps out of the booth. I tell everyone, “We’re going downstairs to dance,” but we somehow end up at the bar, talking to Sheriff and downing shots of tequila.

After four shots, I know I’m starting to become intoxicated. How do I know this? Firstly, I’m starting to think everything is hilarious. Secondly, I’m beginning to lose function of my legs. Felicity pulls me to stand. “Come on; let’s dance!”

As I stand, I wobble on my feet and we both burst into laughter. Sitting back on my stool, I utter, “I might sit this one out. You go ahead. I’ll watch.”

Not needing any more prompting, she heads out into the sea of people, and soon enough, she’s bumping and grinding with a very attractive guy. And this guy is taller than Flick. Bonus.

Felicity: Would you be totally pissed if I went home with this guy?

I focus hard on my cell’s screen before laughing out loud. Finding her in the crowd with my eyes, she pouts, and I respond to her text smiling.

Me: No way! I’ll only be pissed if you don’t get an orgasm out of it. Have fun!

I look up at her, and the random dude is sucking on her neck. Reading the text I just sent her, she lifts her thumbs high in the air. I blow her a kiss and turn to the bar. Someone occupies the stool next to mine, but I don’t look over. I yell out over the music, “Sheriff, I need another shot over here.”

But the person next to me reaches over the bar and gets two shot glasses and a bottle of tequila. He places a shot glass down in front of me and I gape. “I don’t think you’re allowed to do that,” I tell him.

I look up, and smiling, golden eyes meet mine. “Sure I can.”

And my heart swells. Smiling like a loon, I lean forward and wrap my arms around his neck, squeezing him to me. “Max! I was just thinking about you! I missed you!”