“O-oh,” he stammers, taken aback by my show of affection, “I. Um. Swell.”
I step back to give him some space. It’s easy to forget, sometimes, the effect I have on men. Growing up, I was a scrawny scrap of a thing, all elbows and buck teeth. It wasn’t until I was sixteen or so that the tits and ass sprung up. I’ve come to love the balance my body strikes between tiny and curvy. And the men (and women) I’ve known and loved have appreciated that balance, too.
Franklin leads me to the elevator, and I’m whisked away from the ground. I can’t quite believe that this is going to be my new home. It was one thing when Kassie landed her unexpected dream house, but I guess it’s my turn to get used to the good life, too. I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to thank her and Declan for their hospitality. This move and job are game changers for me.
The elevator doors swish open, and I step out onto the penthouse landing. The elegance of this space cannot be overstated. Growing up in a tiny two-bedroom, one-floor house, I never could have imagined that I’d come across luxury like this. I sometimes wonder what my teenage self would think if she could see me now. Would she be thrilled by my success, or think I was a total sell out?
No sooner do my heels click against the marble floor than the door gilded with a gold “A” flies open. My best friend appears in the doorway for the briefest of moments before flying straight at me. We throw our arms around each other, shrieking and babbling like twelve-year-olds at a boy band concert. Even with all the chaos rocking my life right now, I feel more stable the instant I’m back in Kassie’s company. She may have some baggage of her own, but this girl is my rock. No matter how tough I play, I’ve missed her badly.
“What did you do, teleport here?” she asks, taking a step back from me.
“You said I should come right away,” I smile, “I’m just following orders, boss.”
“Oh god, none of that ‘boss’ stuff, please,” she says, wrinkling her nose, “We’re going to be partners, you and me. As always, right?”
“Right,” I say, taking a good long look at her.
This last year has treated Kassie incredibly well. Since meeting Declan and coming to Vegas, my virginal, wounded best friend has blossomed into a sexy, bossy babe. She was always beautiful, with her long shapely body and soft curves, her bright eyes and gorgeous blonde waves. But she’s found a new confidence since moving here. Kassie is a woman who’s figured out what she wants—her own business, an awesome partner, and an exciting life. I wish I had that kind of clarity about my own self. I thought, for a time, that what I wanted was the life Bryan had to offer. Parties, money, glamour, all of that could have been mine. But it all just seems so...boring, now that I think about it. I wasn’t meant to be a D-list actor’s arm candy, that’s for damn sure.
“You look amazing,” I tell Kassie.
“Thanks, babe,” she grins, flicking a blonde tress over her shoulder. She’s totally embraced the classy biker chick thing. Her black leather pants and tight white top are bold and sexy, not the least bit trashy. She knows that she’s more than just a hang-around or a sweet butt. She’s well on her way to becoming an old lady. And there’s power in that kind of title.
“You look...like you’ve had a long day,” she says, her eyes lingering on the ripped jeans and cotton pullover I threw on after slipping out of my fancy date dress.
“Well, it has been one for the books,” I sigh.
“Come on,” Kassie says, taking me by the hand, “Take a load off.”
She leads me into the suite she shares with Declan. The space is mostly unchanged, modern and high-tech. But there are quite a few analog, homey touches that I know must be Kassie’s. The furniture is as minimalist as ever, but the art on the walls and books on the shelves can only be the work of my best friend. The sprawling view of Las Vegas through the wall of windows knocks the breath out of me. I can’t believe I’m going to call this place home.
“Red or white?” Kassie asks, strolling into the kitchen.
“Yes, please,” I grin, sinking onto the couch.
She pours two goblet-sized glasses of a fine Spanish wine and joins me. I can’t get over how poised and sure she is, these days.
“To reunions,” she says, holding up her glass, “And to kicking dirt bag boyfriends with mediocre TV careers to the curb, of course.”
“I’ll drink to that,” I tell her, and happily do. The delicious tempranillo goes down like silk. I could certainly get used to this.
“So, how does it feel, being eight hours single?” Kassie asks.
“Exhausting,” I laugh, “I can’t believe you waited up for my ass. What is it, two in the morning? Three?”
“Four, I think,” she smiles, “But come on. What kind of best friend would I be if I wasn’t here for you through this?”
“I hope you don’t mind me saying so, but I kinda feel like we’ve pulled some Freaky Friday shit,” I tell her, “Didn’t I used to be the cool, collected one, walking you through everything guy-related? You leap frogged right past me, lady.”
“I wouldn’t put it that way,” Kassie says, “I don’t think it’s even remotely possible to compare our journeys. But you’re right about one thing. Being with Declan...it has changed me. But for the better, I think.”
“I can tell,” I say, “It’s awesome, Kassie. I’m so glad you’re happy here.”
“I’ll be even happier now that you’re here with me,” she says, taking a generous sip of wine, “Declan’s a great partner, but he hasn’t been very...present, lately.”
“No?” I ask, “I thought you guys were tighter than ever?”
“We are, in a way,” she says, “With this marriage and old lady talk, and all. But outside of those conversations, I feel like I can’t keep track of him. I’ve been working on CrowdedNest so hard that I didn’t notice for a while that he hasn’t been home as much. He swears that there’s just been more club business to take care of, lately.”
“Do you believe him?” I ask.
“Of course,” she replies, “But that doesn’t do much to ease my mind. I have no doubt that there’s some new shit going down with Dante’s Nine, but I’m not sure I like the nature of it.”