. I’ll see him later tonight. We’ll have one last night in L.A., then see each other again in Italy.
I’m actually looking forward to this trip.
The Roxy is packed as usual. A local band that’s made it pretty big, Star Maps, is playing. They’ve been a favorite of mine since Dylan introduced me to them personally. I’ve always liked their blend of styles, and they’re just as fun in person.
Amanda gets us a table and squeals with excitement. We order drinks just as the band starts to play their signature song about Hollywood’s most famous residents. I truly hope Dylan and I won’t ever be in one of their songs. I’d much rather fly under the radar.
The atmosphere inside The Roxy is energetic. I’m nervous and excited about the flight tomorrow, but I’m having fun.
Riley whoops as they finish their song. Our waitress comes over with a tray full of shots.
“These are from the men by the bar.” She nods in their direction. Three guys are standing at the bar, smiling at us. They lift their drinks in a toast. I quickly turn back to Amanda and Riley.
“They’re totally cute,” Amanda says. She waves and shouts, “Thank you!”
Riley waves and gets a flirty look I don’t see often. She’s usually more into sarcasm.
Amanda keeps staring over, then winks at the guys.
“Ahem,” I say to Amanda. “Aren’t you and Caleb exclusive now?”
“I can look.” She turns to me. “I’m not blind and neither are you. Don’t you think they’re cute?”
The drinks are hitting my system. It’s only two drinks, but I forgot to eat dinner. I steal another peek. She’s right about them being cute.
“The light-haired guy isn’t bad,” I admit. Now that I’ve said it, I feel my cheeks heat up.
“Leave her alone,” Riley says. “She only has eyes for Dylan.”
“True. You and Dylan are perfect.” Amanda knocks back her shot. “Perfectly boring.” She laughs. “Perfectly old and married. Like my parents.” She shudders. “Yuck.”
“Boring?” I let out a chortle. “No way. Remember how I went to the hospital on Saturday after that giant ape knocked me down?” They lean forward, listening. I shouldn’t tell them, but I know I will eventually, so what the hell. “We had sex in the hospital exam room. Behind nothing but a curtain.”
Riley frowns. “No, you didn’t. You were whacked out on sedatives and imagining things.”
I laugh. “Fine. Don’t believe me.”
The waitress comes by with more shots.
“This is my last one,” I tell the girls. “Big flight tomorrow.”
Amanda slams her shot back, then waves at the cute guys again.
I kick her chair under the table. “Stop it. I’m paying for these drinks. Stop looking at those guys. Don’t be a skank.”
She bristles at me calling her a skank, but whatever.
The band finishes another song, and we all clap. The crowd yells out song requests. They introduce the next song, and the three of us watch. There’s a great buzz in here. I can’t really relax when Dylan is playing. I get too nervous for him. But this is perfect.
After the band stops for a break, Amanda turns back around and picks up where she left off, making sexy-eyes at the cute guys by the bar. I kick her chair.
She scowls at me and says, “I don’t get you, Jess. You were a virgin when you moved here. Then you met Dylan and now you’re getting married. You’ve never been with anyone else. Not even for one night. Aren’t you curious?”
I shake my head. “I’ve heard plenty from you.”
Riley laughs, because it’s true.
Amanda keeps scowling. “But hearing about it isn’t the same as experiencing it. Feeling it.”
I scrunch up my face. “I’ve heard enough of your sex stories to last a lifetime.”
“But it’s not fair!” Amanda’s getting loud, which means she’s drunk. There are a bunch of empty shot glasses on the table in front of her, which is not a good sign. “It’s not fair. I mean, Dylan’s been with other
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