“That’s it, girl.” He spun me so my back was against his chest, guiding my arms to the side and above my head. “Hey, I know what we’re doing tonight,” he said, suddenly breaking away and snapping his fingers. I spun to face him, watching a joker-faced grin spread across his face. I put my hands on my hips.
“Should I be worried?” I asked.
“Nope. You’re gonna love it.”
I should have been worried.
Blake was taking me clubbing. He’d done an excellent job so far of occupying our time, and though thoughts of Kaidan were always present at the forefront of my mind, the anxiousness was kept at bay. It was difficult to worry when you were trying so hard to learn an impromptu dance routine. We’d spent three hours getting the moves just right, laughing hysterically when my feet tangled with his and I went sprawling. He never lost his balance. Ever. It was kind of freaky.
“Dude, you’re a good dancer,” he’d told me, sounding surprised. “You just gotta channel that inner sassy girl when you feel the beat.”
I gave him my best rawr!
He frowned and clucked his tongue. “You can’t be smiling when you do that.”
Dang it. I shook out my arms. Okay, enough roaring. Time to move.
Once we had the dance down, we left to find the perfect outfits. Blake knew just where to go—swanky, over-the-top stores with glittering shirts for women and tight shirts for men. Only certain types of boys could pull off the club look, and Blake was one of them.
The night was hot, but I felt self-conscious in the backless halter top Blake picked out. I kept trying to hike up the low-rise black pants, to no avail.
“What if this thing comes untied?” I asked, feeling the bow at my neck and lower back as we walked down the darkened sidewalk. “Are you sure you can’t see in through the sides? I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.”
“Don’t worry, I double-knotted it, and all your goodies are safe. You look hot. Kai would kill me if he knew I let you out in that.”
My self-consciousness waned as we entered the club and I saw that my outfit would not be getting any special attention. The giant room was three stories high, with balconies tapering down to a view of the dance floor in the center. Next to me, Blake hollered so I could hear him over the blasting music.
“Ever wondered how it would feel to have thousands of eyes on you? ’Cause you’re about to find out.”
He started forward and I grabbed his hand, suddenly terrified.
“Relax, girl.”
“I’m not ready!”
He shrugged one shoulder. “Maybe you need a drink?”
I gave my head an adamant shake, while that greedy little voice inside me had a tantrum.
“Look, Anna. I’m not trying to be a creeper here. I got your back tonight. You can drink.”
I bit my lip. It would be so nice to let go, and I knew Blake had no expectations except that I have fun and be willing to take risks. He may have been the world’s biggest flirt, but I didn’t get any vibes of attraction from him. He was safe. It was my own self I didn’t trust.
“I don’t want to get drunk,” I told him.
“I won’t let you.”
“Once I start drinking, I want more. And I’ll get mad and sneaky. I might be mean if you don’t let me have more.”
“You think you can take me?” He laughed. “I ain’t scared of you, girl.”
“But . . .” I felt my argument weakening. “I don’t have a stamp like you.” I pointed to his hand. I could have used my fake ID, but I hadn’t been planning on drinking.
“Nobody’s paying attention. Trust me. Come on.”
I rejoiced on the inside. He was the exact friend I needed at my side tonight.
Blake got me a beer, then scared away a guy who tried to hit on me, telling him to step away from his best friend’s girl. It warmed me to know Kaidan had a best friend and to hear Blake call me Kai’s girl.
By the time I’d had my drink and we made it to the center of the dance floor, I was relaxed and ready to go. Blake had requested the song we’d practiced to, and when it came on Blake got serious while I attempted not to break into laughter. It didn’t take long for the crowd to spread, creating an opening where Blake and I were in motion, synchronized and more fluid than when we’d practiced at Kaidan’s place. I could not believe I was doing this. Veronica would freaking love it. Having an audience made me tighten my moves and halfway through I finally lost my nervous smile. I found myself playing it up the more people cheered.