The Final Note (DJ Series Book 1) by Helen J. Barnes Page B

what most people would say is a children’s store. I begrudgingly break off the kiss and as my eyes flicker open Dayton presents me with a boxed Ariel china cup. He winks before heading to the checkout.
    I’m left in a daze and feeling very grateful, I want to repay the favour but I can hardly afford to pop into the Apple Store and buy him a new phone. I quickly sneak back to the aisle of stuffed toys and swipe up a Dopey dwarf before joining him at the checkout. He gives me a knowing grin whilst I pay for the cuddly toy and we exchange bags and thanks before heading out of the store, stupid happy grins slapped over our faces.
    Outside Dayton wraps his arm around my waist, holding me close and kissing me on the forehead. He stops dead when he hears someone call his name. I turn and come face to face with Miss Perfection from the pictures on Facebook. She is more stunning in the flesh, her hair shining and glossy. Her skin is smooth and flawless and her smile almost floors you with sparkling, straight pearls. I note she has bigger breasts than me, too.
    “Hey, babe. What drags you out here?” Her eyes rack over him greedily and her smile falters when she sees his hand on my hip. Her gaze slides over me and even with the semi-smile on her face I feel her judgement and disapproval.
    “I’m shopping for Chloe. This is Alannah Matthews by the way, she has been nice enough to help me shop and is joining me at Lexis tonight. Alannah, this is Regina Escarra, she is the bar manager at Lexis.” Dayton’s smile hasn’t moved at all and I look from him to Regina.
    “Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” I lie and she offers me a smile that doesn’t meet her eyes.
    “Hey.” Her eyes leave me to look at Dayton. “So, what did you buy from The Disney Store? I didn’t know there were kids in your family to buy for?”
    “There isn’t, we just had a mini trolley dash to kill curiosity.” He smirks, exchanging a knowing smile with me before kissing me on the temple. “I think I’m just going to give Chloe money to spend on books or something.”
    Inspiration hits me like lightning and I’m surprised I didn’t think of it before. “Does Chloe have an eReader? How about buying her a Kindle?”
    “She would love that. Alannah, you’re an angel. We’ll pick one up then head back, I’ve got to sort my set out for tonight.” He looks very impressed and I blush under his approval.
    “I’ll see you tonight then?” Regina asks, her fake smile plastered back in place when she looks at him.
    “Sure, see you later, Regina,” Dayton says before pulling me away and heading off without as much as a backwards glance. I, however, can feel the burning in my back as Regina watches us walk away. I already know she has taken a dislike to me which I feel is unwarranted as she knows nothing about me. I can’t justify why I feel like I’ve just met my arch rival either. Somehow I just know I have.

Chapter 6
     
    I arrange to meet Corrine, Dina and Macy in a wine bar at 8pm then we are hitting Lexis later. When I arrive I see Ross, Luke and a guy in his early twenties sat at the table with the girls. I greet Ross and the girls first before taking a seat next to Corrine.
    “Hey, Alannah, I’m Luke. I hear you and Dayton got a thang going on?” He sticks his hand out to me and I recognise him as the lad with spikey hair who was leering at me on the threshold of the front door at the house party last weekend.
    I offer him a weak smile and shake his hand. “Nice to meet you, Luke.”
    “You’ll have to excuse Luke’s lack of tact, he has no brain to mouth filter.” The young blond with green eyes smiles offering me his hand. “I’m Brent. I’ve got an audition at Lexis tonight, thanks to Dayton.”
    I nod. “Do you mix hard trance, too?”
    “I will be tonight but I much prefer hard house, unfortunately Barros Escarra doesn’t appreciate the genre.”
    I nod, the name Escarra ringing a bell somewhere in the pit of my memory but I