Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
“Whoa. You didn’t take a breath there.” Asher chuckles, and I welcome the joke. It pulls me away from wallowing.
He wouldn’t want me to.
Lily eyes me curiously before offering a comforting smile. “Don’t worry. You’ll be fine. You were always the smartest out of us three.”
I take a deep breath, willing my racing heart to slow.
“I have no doubt that you’ll kick ass.” Asher’s smile is wide and reassuring.
I return the smile, grateful for my friends, especially Ash. He always believes in me, even when I don’t. It’s what I love most about him.
“He’s right, you know. You’re really good with people, and you’re amazing at all this advertising and marketing stuff. You see things that a lot of people don’t.”
My hands rise. “Okay. Enough flattery, guys. I’m fine. I swear.”
Asher raises one eyebrow as though to say, yeah, right.
“I mean it,” Lily continues.
Wanting to change the topic, I gesture to the bar. “Anyone for shots?”
“I’m in,” Asher says.
We both turn toward Lily and wait for her to refuse. But she just laughs. “I’m definitely in.”
“Good, I like drunk Lily.” Asher grins.
“I’ve missed this,” I confess. “We don’t go out together nearly enough.”
“I’ve missed this, too,” Asher agrees. Then he beckons the bartender and orders a round of shots, plus fresh drinks to chase them down.
We all knock them back with a grimace, and Lily and I quickly wash them down with our fresh glasses of champagne.
We’ll be hurting tomorrow.
“Ah, I remember why I don’t like shots now.” Lily’s grimace causes Asher and me to burst out laughing again.
“To the new job!” we shout.
“And drinking to the new paycheck,” Lily yells over the music.
My eyes roam back to the VIP room, hoping for one more peek of the handsome stranger, but he’s long gone.
3
Raven
Now on the dance floor, the effects of the shots are going to my head.
The place is packed for a Wednesday, and sweat-glistened bodies move all around us.
Still, we’ve created a perimeter with Asher in the middle, shielding us from the gyrating couples practically dry humping.
Silver has transitioned a lot over the past couple of years. There has always been a higher echelon clientele in the VIP areas, but nowadays, everyone in the place is swathed in high-end wear and dripping with diamonds and watches that cost more than my first car.
The club is now the hottest spot in the city.
It’s practically a speed-dating location for the rich and famous.
Luckily for us, Asher has connections.
Well, at least his family does.
He’s from a wealthy family, oozing in old money. His connections are limitless in the city of who you know. While I’d never say that to his face because he’s determined to make his own way, it’s the truth. Asher will never have to beg and plead for top positions with his last name.
Nepotism is alive and well in these parts.
“Oh, my God, Ash. Whatever you are trying to do there is not a dance move worthy of Silver,” Lily barks in laughter as he continues with his less than stellar imitation of a lawn sprinkler.
Lily leans forward in hysterics at his antics as Asher is many things, but a dancer, he is not.
“I’m going to pee. Stop it!” I yell at the moment when one song stops and another starts.
Everyone looks at me, and the three of us burst into more laughter. We’re acting like high schoolers, but it’s what I need.
Starting a new chapter in my life has me confused. One part of me is excited about the future, and the other is already disenchanted by a career I haven’t even begun. Despite Lily’s and Asher’s reassurances, I’m nervous about what’s to come Monday.
I'll be miserable if they have me running pointless errands and shut me out of the idea process.
“Okay, I really am going to pee,” I say, needing to get out of the fray for a few moments.
“Yeah, me too. Sorry, Asher,” Lily calls, chuckling as she follows me through the crowd of people still dancing.
“Girls,” Asher mumbles as he turns towards the bar.
Like always, there’s a line for the ladies’ room. Lily and I take our spots behind two women complaining that VIPs should have a separate bathroom at the back of the club. My head turns to Lily, and I roll my eyes. Her hands fly to her mouth to smother a giggle, but it’s too late.
The women turn around, glaring down at us. They aren’t that much taller, but their five-inch stilettos make them appear as though they are.
I quirk one eyebrow at the pair as if to say, do you have a problem? They sneer, turning back to the front. Staring at the one woman’s profile, I realized she was the girl with the gorgeous man outside the VIP room.
I can’t help but sweep my eyes over her in complete jealousy. She’s wearing a waxed metallic dress that is easily more expensive than anything I own. It hugs her curves like a glove, showcasing a body that likely hasn’t seen a carb in years. She’s sexy and glamorous.