Well, it used to call to me.
Before everything happened…
Though I haven’t played piano in over ten years, I still feel the pull of certain music–certain songs–almost like my body is possessed beyond my control.
It’s the only time I can fully let myself go–the only time I let myself remember how my life used to be.
I glance over at Quinn, and her short, curly hair bounces as she moves, as her body twists and twirls. She looks incredible in her white linen shorts with a tie waist, paired with a black leather cropped top. The strappy sandals affixed to her feet make her legs look a mile long.Sodifferent from me in every way, including the fact that unlike me, she has her life together. If this doesn’t work out, she has a career to fall back on.
If this doesn’t work out for me…
Then everything I’ve worked for will be for nothing.
The amount of pressure is staggering.
“Do you think they’re twins?” she asks, murmuring into my ear and pointing at two guys off to the side of the dance floor.
I glance over at the two men–tall, muscular, with dirty blond hair. They’re both looking around uncomfortably, sipping from their beers as their heads bob to the music.
“You should go say hi. They look cute.”
I snort. “I highly doubt two fit guys like that would want–”
“Stop spewing that bloody self-deprecating bullshit. You’re a fucking ten. Small, tight body, pretty face, gorgeous, long hair… if you didn’t spend all of your time with your nose behind a screen, you might actually begin to figure that out yourself.”
I’ve known Quinn for less than twenty-four hours, and already she’s managed to summarize my life better than I have.
“Go say hi to them. They look a little bit lost and may need a bed to sleep in tonight.”
“Fuck off,” I tell her, holding my empty glass up to her. “I’m getting another one.”
“You sure? Our first day is tomorrow.”
“I know. I need the liquid courage.”
I twist away from Quinn and walk over to the bar, setting my pint down. Just as I lift my hand to get the bartender’s attention, I feel strong hands pull me out of the way as my glass falls onto the floor and shatters everywhere.
“Careful, pet,” a man growls in my ear.
Yanking myself free of his grip, I twist around and lock eyes with one of the most beautiful men I’ve ever seen. Dark hair that’s longer on top. It’s parted at the side, revealing gorgeous tattoos that flow up his neck to the back of his skull, and down beneath the black collar of his shirt. His face is so perfect I want to weep. Sharp cheekbones, angular jawline, and pale, blue eyes. He’s tall–nearly a head taller than me, and slim. Yet, the sleeves of the black dress shirt he’s wearing are rolled to his elbows–showcasing muscular, corded arms full of tattoos.
“Um–thanks,” I mutter, taking another step back. When I glance behind me, someone’s already cleaning the glass up. I can only imagine how it would’ve felt to have it shatter all over my open-toed foot.
My savior smirks, shoving his hands in his pockets. Tipping his head at me once, he turns and walks away, and I’m left staring at his backside, flabbergasted.
I rarely find random men attractive. While I can appreciate the finer specimens, I generally need some sort of connection to feel attracted to a bloke. But that guy was… everything I never knew I wanted, wrapped up in one dark, tattooed fantasy.
Careful, pet.
Once I procure another drink, I nearly roll my eyes when I see Quinn dancing with the blond twins.
I close my eyes and sip my drink as I let my body sway to the music. Quinn dressed me tonight, so I’m wearing a tight, black dress that is several inches too short and silver, strappy heels that bring me up to a respectable height.Same color asyour hair,she insisted, referring to my prematurely white-grey locks. These shoes are harder to dance in than my normal choice of trainers, but they work for tonight. Once my drink is done, Quinn snatches it from my hand and smirks at me.
“Want to dance with my new friends?”
I have to actively try not to roll my eyes at her. Instead, I give the twins a small smile.
“Hi.”
