I stepped up to the bar and my gaze met Sandy’s. Her green eyes welcomed me with a smile. My friendly bartender leaned over the counter as I approached. “Did you see Felicia’s new hair style? She’s trying to get Clark to notice and he’s yet to say anything to her.” She chuckled and then added, “I’m waiting for her to just flash her boobs to grab his attention!”
I laughed. I was pretty sure Sandy slept with Clark too, but like me, won’t do it again. Or at least I don’t think she will. We’ve never really discussed the whole thing before, but she loves to comment about Clark’s parade of women. I enjoy chatting with her when she has some downtime, which isn’t too often at this place. But when she does, she enjoys sharing all the fun gossip with me.
Acknowledging my usual drink order with the nod of her head, she turned to make it for me. Matt reached over and gave me a quick hug.
“So, how’re you feeling?” I asked Vanessa and grabbed a bar stool from nearby. At barely eleven weeks, no one except our little group knew that she’s pregnant.
After Matt proposed, he swept her away for a surprise getaway. I guess he wanted to make sure she had very little to wear on their trip, as he packed the minimal necessities for her—forgetting her birth control pills. They thought it’d be fun to take a chance and see what happened. She became pregnant immediately.
“Good. I only got sick once today. I’m thinking that’s a record,” she teased. She nudged me with her shoulder and trilled, “Blake was asking about you.” Her eyes were bright with a little too much excitement.
I chuckled, knowing how much she wants to fix me up with Blake and she keeps insisting he’s a great guy. It’s not that I disagree with her. I get butterflies in my stomach whenever I’m around him. Blake’s definitely a good-looking guy and seems very sweet—despite his “player” bouncer semblance. But, I can’t decide if there’s more to it than just getting another guy’s attention and the thrill of the chase. Typically, once that’s over, the excitement for me is gone and the feeling of being used takes over. Maybe that’s why Gregory was such an enigma to me. He always seemed like a challenge to me, but in a good, sweet way.
“Blake told me so when we walked in,” I let Vanessa know. She pursed her lips, which made me chuckle. I swear what she really wants is for me to settle down like she has with Matt. Little does she know, I soon will be.
I looked over toward Clark and had to laugh. He didn’t need a wingman. Both women were turned to him with their legs crossed. One was rubbing her hand over his back as he leaned in whispering into each of their ears, making them giggle like school girls. I turned back to see Matt watching too.
Vanessa caught him staring and gave him a quick tickle to his ribs. “Miss that, honey? The chase?”
He chuckled as he looked down at her and then whispered something in her ear, making her flush and laugh. They gave each other a quick, but romantic kiss. With any other couple, I’d probably want to vomit at their display; however, this was my best friend and I was actually more than happy for her. And slightly jealous. Men like Matt and Z seemed few and far between. Not to mention, taken.
To give them a little bit of privacy, I turned my head to see Clark watching me. He gave me a smirk as he grabbed and hand of one of the girls and lead her to the back area of the club. The other girl looked somewhat miffed and swung back around on her stool to check out the other guys in the bar.
Glancing back I noticed both Vanessa and Matt had watched the same thing I had. “You didn’t have to move out so soon, you know. You could have waited until I was further along,” Vanessa told me. Concern was written all over her face, as if Clark’s activities would bother me.
“Stop it, Vanessa. I told you, it’s no big deal. I’m rarely home anyway. Not to mention, Clark’s actions aren’t too different from mine.” Well, what they used to be. I gave her a small smile as I took another sip, pushing aside my deceptive feelings.
She shrugged. “I guess you’re right. I just feel like I forced you to move in with him. We’ve lived together since college. It feels weird without you in the apartment.”
Every time she brings up college, I know I should bring up my relationship with Gregory. Vanessa was in love with him. He was our closest friend and went everywhere with us. Until Vanessa took a chance one night. She drank a little too much and made an advance at him. He declined, but after that he also avoided us. When he stopped going out with us, she was crushed. The three of us were inseparable until then and neither of us had seen him after that—until several months ago, I was setting up one of our new hotels in Atlanta and ran into him. The fact that I’d never mentioned any of this to Vanessa constantly nagged at me, stabbing my stomach with guilt for having kept this from her.
Forcing the thought from my mind, I pointed out the obvious. “We live right across the hall from each other. You don’t have to go very far to chat.” She nodded and took a sip of her water, but I could tell she was still dwelling on it.
“I meant to ask. Do you think you can go with me to brunch on Sunday at the club? Mom wants to discuss more wedding plans and asked that my maid of honor finally attend.” She rolled her eyes on the last part, making me chuckle. “Matt has to fly out on Sunday, so he won’t be able to go. I can cancel on her, if you want. You know I don’t really want to go either.”
This was nerve-racking enough for her. I didn’t want her to have to deal with her overbearing mom alone if she didn’t have to. Not to mention, I’d have to start getting used to being at a country club and hanging around snobby people with Gregory. It would be good practice for me to learn how to bite my tongue and swallow my sarcasm. “No problem. I’d love to go,” I lied.
She shook her head, smiling at my fib. I shrugged, knowing we both knew the truth. Her mom could be the most aggravating person on earth. The wedding seemed to be her mom’s way of trying to make up for some of the things she’d done in the past. And considering Vanessa hadn’t told her mom she’s pregnant, all of it was putting Vanessa on edge. I’m sure news of her pregnancy will go over really well with the country club snobs.
I watched Vanessa dig her hand into the peanut dish, something she doesn’t usually do. I grimaced and blurted out, “Gross! You know how many other hands have touched those? You’re the one who told me that.” I cringed as I watched her face turn white and she jumped off her bar stool, taking off for the bathroom. I wished I had kept that comment to myself.
I heard Matt’s beer glass clink as he placed it on the bar. I sighed knowing he probably wasn’t happy with me either. “You had to say that to her, didn’t you?” He started toward the bathroom, running a hand through his dirty blonde hair. I watched him stand by the entrance to the bathroom, while I sat and chastised myself.
THE SWEET TASTE of the pink Cosmo on my tongue made my lips smack. The feel of my cool drink made its way to my stomach just as my eyes flitted to the door. As if the sticky, syrupy taste corresponded to the person I laid my eyes on, Tina appeared through the doorway. The woman should have a halo around her head; her personality seemed to match her appearance.
Still seated, I noticed as the majority of guys’ heads turned toward the door as the blonde glided across the room—Tina.
She looked around the bar and seemed disappointed when she didn’t find what she was looking for. I debated on telling her where he really was.
As much as I tried, I couldn’t figure out their relationship. She has a boyfriend, but there are weeks—I assume when her boyfriend has to travel for work—that she’s constantly attached to Clark’s side. Clark seems to be happy when she’s around, but he continues to sleep with so many other women. Surely she was aware of that. She had to be. Maybe because she has a boyfriend she didn’t care, but the whole situation was odd to me. I guess I’m not one to talk though.
Breaking away from my thoughts, I glanced at my phone, hoping to see a text or email from Gregory and wondered how I would explain my strange relationship to my best friend.
I took another
sip from my glass and observed Tina as she walked toward me. No wonder she’s a model. Everything about her is seductive. If I were a lesbian, I would most definitely try to hit on her. Her long blonde hair with streaks of caramel swayed with her hips as her body seemed to float across the room. And her eyes are such a deep sapphire color I would swear had to be contact lenses. No wonder the camera loves her. Add in her legs that seemed to go on forever and you’ve got the perfect blonde bombshell. I’m pretty sure Clark enjoys having those wrapped around him constantly.
Her demeanor seemed to match her beauty—confident strides and a kind voice that didn’t seem to have a lace of mean undertone to it.
The only thing that really irked me, was the way she’s on and off with Clark. I couldn’t help but wonder if she’s toying with him.
Swallowing my drink, I felt Tina take the bar stool next to me and then heard her call out to Sandy. I’m not sure if Sandy is jealous of Tina or if she’s bothered by the same thing I am. Whatever it was, Sandy didn’t seem too eager to come over to take Tina’s order. Sandy wasn’t that busy, but continued tending to other customers before acknowledging Tina and pouring her a drink.
“Hi Aubrey,” she greeted me after Sandy finally took her order.
“Hey Tina.” I gave her a smile, trying to shove away whatever feelings I had for her. I shouldn’t be jealous of her. I’m the one who pushes Clark away, after all.
I noticed her swallow and avoid my eyes. “Did Clark already leave?”
The click of her glass against the bar startled both of us and Sandy let Tina know her drink was ready in a tone I didn’t usually hear from her.
Tina avoided my eyes as she turned on her bar stool to claim her wine, but I nodded anyway. “He’s here somewhere with someone. Care to know what color her hair was?”
My response was cruel, which wasn’t like me at all. She’d never done anything to me, but yet I couldn’t shake some sort of distaste I had for her.
Tina winced slightly, but regained her composure. “No need to know. Whatever woman has his attention now, it won’t last long once he sees me again,” she remarked a little too confident. Was she trying to convince herself of that? It made me question why I was even attempting to understand their relationship.
We were silent for all of three seconds before I couldn’t take it anymore. I’ve never really been alone with her except a couple of times in the apartment, so I took the opportunity to dig a little. I mean, who wouldn’t? “So why do you stay with Clark? Why do you keep leaving your boyfriend for Clark, when you know of his…activities?”
I watched, anxious for her response, and for the first time I noticed she wasn’t as self-confident as I’d always thought. She inhaled deeply and then swept her golden strands over her shoulder. “Because you don’t know Clark like I do. When you’re alone with him, he’s funny, sweet and caring. He’s a totally different person. Nothing like what you guys see in him at all.”
I’ve seen a little of that from living with him, but wanting to know how well she really knew him, I pressed for more. “Then why doesn’t he show us that part of him? What’s he got to hide?”
Tina shrugged while she looked around the room, still avoiding my eyes. “Maybe he just likes the image he’s created.”
“What about all the women he’s slept with?” And keeps sleeping with, I wanted to add.
Tina huffed and I felt bad for asking such a forward question so callously. “What about them?” She looked into her glass and then insisted, “They’re just…sex to him.”
What the fuck?
Who wouldn’t care that the guy they were involved with was sleeping with any woman who comes along? I’ve watched him pull women into the back storage area many times before—tonight was no exception. “He uses women. He’s always sleeping around. Doesn’t that bother you, even just a little bit?”
I felt bad for glaring at her, my mouth hung open, but I mean, come on!
Tina’s shoulders slumped and I watched her brilliant blue eyes dull. “Clark is…well, he has trouble trusting women. He’s really different when you’re alone with him. I know no one understands this and thinks I’m just a dumb blonde, but I see something in him that no one else does.”
She swiveled the red liquid in her glass and then looked at me with her gorgeous blue eyes. No wonder Clark kept her hanging on; just looking into her eyes made me want to care for her. Maybe that’s why he strings her along. Or was she stringing him along? I was beginning to wonder.
“I probably do a lot more damage each time I go back to my boyfriend, but when I talk to people like you, it makes me question everything about him too.”
Those blue eyes began to water. I actually felt sympathy for her right then. She’s adorable, sweet and more than beautiful. My heart sank for her even more as she continued.
“My boyfriend…he’s sweet. Sometimes. He just gets jealous of my modeling career. I know he’d prefer I stay at home, barefoot and pregnant. I’m not so sure I want that. I’ve been with him for so long now that…” She stopped as she glanced away and tried to keep the tears at bay. “Sorry. I don’t know why I just blurted all that out to you.”
I pressed a smile and gave her a small nod. Even if I didn’t agree with it, at least I now knew the reason she was bouncing between the two men.
Clark and I don’t exactly have a normal relationship. We slept together and now we’re roommates who discuss our sexual prowling. I just couldn’t shake the feeling that his heart was being played with. I wasn’t sure if she was using Clark to get back at her boyfriend or if she really did care about him.
If they were just using each other for sex, that would be one thing. I’m not one to judge when it comes to sleeping around, but playing with someone’s heart is different to me—especially when it comes to my friends. Particularly, this group of friends. I’ve never been a part of such a close-knit group before and I know I probably never will be again. And Clark is definitely my friend.
Hearing Tina clear her throat, I turned to watch her fluff her blonde locks and smooth out her top. My eyes followed her line of vision. Clark started toward the bar, straightening out his shirt. That was quick. I noted his smug look of satisfaction. Then the girl he was with came up behind him and smacked his ass, mouthing something to him I couldn’t make out. He turned his focus back to the bar and I watched as his face fell when his eyes landed on Tina and how he quickly recovered with a huge smile.
It seemed that Clark was all right with their arrangement. Maybe he thinks she’s a conquest? Or maybe they really are right for each other since they both seem content with this back and forth relationship.
Confusion set in as I took another sip of my drink and continued to look around the room. Real love existed. I knew it did. Several of my friends have found it. But the question remains, will I ever find it for myself?
Wishful thoughts took over as I fantasized about Gregory telling me he loves me; that he loves me like I’ve always dreamed of a man loving me. For me. Not just because of the favor I’m doing for him.
Just for me.
CHAPTER THREE
Clark
I WALKED BACK to the bar after being in the back room with…I can’t even remember her name. Immediately I felt a certain pair of eyes on me. My stomach tanked when I saw Tina sitting at the bar next to Aub. I could have sworn Tina told me she would still be in New York today. Tina eyed the girl I was just with, but her expression changed quickly when her eyes met mine.
I’d only made out with the chick, but she insisted she wanted to go out with me sometime, telling me she’d give me more. Tina’s never caught me like this, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Not that she should have anything to say since she has a boyfriend. I’d definitely throw that one in her face if she said anything.
I’ve never actually seen her with her boyfriend. I think that would kill me. Probably like it’s hurting Tina now, seeing me come out of the backroom with someone else.
Giving Tina my bes
t fake smile, I walked over and pulled her in for a tight hug. I heard a brief huff from Aub and glanced to see her slide off the barstool. She walked over to the other end of the bar to chat with Izzy. I swiped at my mouth again, just to make sure I didn’t have any lipstick still smeared on me.
“I thought you were still in New York for some photo shoot,” I whispered and then pulled back to look into her eyes. Saddened at first, her eyes soon shone bright when she looked into mine.
“I was, but they canceled at the last moment. Knox said he was sick.”
“Knox?” I asked, wondering if it was some guy model she was supposed to have a shoot with.
“Yeah, the photographer,” she explained and I relaxed. “I think he’s really just having some girl trouble,” she said as she tilted her head slightly and gave me a sweet, but nervous smile.
I nodded, knowing exactly how this Knox guy must feel, considering my nerves were back and forth with this woman. I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her toward the door. My need to be alone with her kicked in and I couldn’t wait to get her back to my place. I guess we’ll be extending our boyfriend/girlfriend time a little longer.
Tina and I strolled down the sidewalk together. Familiar emotions stirred inside of me and I realized how different it always feels when I’m with her—like we could actually be a couple instead of some sort of repeated hook-up.
That notion usually goes away just as quick as it comes when she heads back to her boyfriend and I get back to reality. It’s a good thing she goes back to him so that I don’t get sucked into the whole delusion, but when I’m in this little fantasy with her, I kind of like it. Maybe because I know it’s not permanent I can just enjoy my time with her.
Alluring Promises Box Set (Books 1-3) Page 86