Page 1 of Trusting the Fall
1
One Week Later
“Seeanyoneyoulikeyet?” I shout in Lex’s ear.
The Wayside has been my favourite little dive bar since Lex and I could drink. Legally. It’s a mix of grunge, themed nights, and devious decisions. Lex shakes her head at me, her bright red curls swishing with the motion.
My bestie is a total knockout but has no idea how to rock it. We met nearly a decade ago in high school and she’s been the Thelma to my Louise ever since. She’s the quiet and calm to the chaotic storm that thrives in my mind. But where I’ve figured out how to balance work and play, Lex is still on the podium glaring at the tightrope.
I thought she would relax a little after she got her degree, but then she went and got promoted at the nightclub where she works.
She owns a tavern back in her hometown, Killara Bay, with her brother. Dylan manages all the day-to-day stuff, but a few years ago, he started distilling their own whiskey. It’s only sold at their tavern, Jedidiah’s, but recently he’s been working to get it stocked in pubs and clubs here in Heart City.
Lex made it her mission to learn everything about the industry to help them expand and succeed, but she knew she had to stay in the city for that.
It suited me just fine. I used her expertise to design the business plan for the salon I’m starting, plus I got to hold onto my friend for a little longer. She’s planning to move back to Killara Bay when the distillery secures an investor, and she and Dylan can expand their operations.
Tonight, we’re celebrating Lex’s promotion to assistant manager at Hallucinogens as well as the wall framing being installed at Parlour Tricks. My future salon.
Considering the trouble I’ve dealt with just to get to this point, it was high time both of us were able to let loose and have some carefree fun.
“Hey, babe? You know when parents teach their kids to swim, and they just throw them in the deep end and tell them to figure it out?”
“I-I don’t think they can actually do that now.” She shakes her head, tugging on the leather miniskirt I made her wear tonight.
“Well, this parent does,” I whisper before shouting, “Sink or swim, honeybunch!” I give her a gentle nudge, or shove, whatever you want to call it, into some hottie walking past in a vest and tie.
The guy looks like he needs to let loose, too. I watch him catch her, glee coating my face as I notice him take her in. He looks captivated by the first look.
Lex hasn’t noticed the fine specimen yet, her eyes still fixed on where her hands landed on his stomach, but he’s definitely noticing her.
I watch as he dips down to meet her eyes. Lex looks a little unsure, but I have faith this man knows how to handle the reins. He’s smiling at her, and it makes my stomach fizz with excitement, especially when he picks up a lock of her hair and twirls it around his finger. This guy is hooked.
Lex looks over at me with wide, nervous eyes, but I throw her two thumbs up, grinning hard and nodding.
I keep dancing to the music while I monitor her, making sure she really is okay.
The suit puts a finger under her chin, keeping her eyes on him, and it makes me flush with heat. I love being in charge, but I also love a man who can command my pleasure and attention.
I watch as they head over to the bar. A huge, tattooed guy with a scowl painting his face talks to them, and it seems like the two men may know each other.
Hopefully, it’s not because he’s caused trouble here in the past.
I already told Lex if she went home with anyone tonight, she was to take them back to our house in an Uber. I don’t need her feeling unsafe and unsure in a stranger’s home or letting him drive her anywhere.
Lex seems to grow more comfortable in this guy’s presence, and I feel my face softening.
My bestie has the biggest heart. Tender as it is, she’s loyal to a fault, but pain from her past has kept her from opening up with men. Not that I’m an expert on that. The walls around my heart are built with fortified towers. Nothing’s getting in.
I continue swaying, letting my body get lost in the sea of people around me as the pounding beat moves from one song to the next. Before long, I notice Lex being wrapped up by her hottie in a suit and ushered out of the bar. The man looks obsessed beyond reason.
Now that my bestie seems on her way to being well looked after, I need to find some relief for myself.
The contractor working on my salon has been grating my very last nerve.
I’ve spent the last four weeks working with the interior designer and architect to get my plans finalised and with every decision, he keeps emailing back stupid suggestions.I would really recommend tile over timber in a commercial space. Your classroom should be on this side, not in the back corner. Are you sure you want that much pink?Elle Woods would be appalled by that last statement, as am I.
I’ve never even met the guy in person, only through emails, but he gets under my skin like a splinter, and I only know of one surefire way to fix that.
