see if we could find clearance in any parts of the dance floor. Some space cleared near the DJ booth, by a gigantic overhead speaker the size of the three of us put together, so that was undesirable. Jane shouted to Candace and me, “Okay, stand facing me and form a circle. When I say ‘now,’ slowly take a step back. Let’s do that a few times to see if we can make room.” She sounded like she knew what she was doing, so Candace and I nodded and awaited her instructions.
“Now!” she yelled. I took a step back and my heel clamped down on the back of someone’s shoe. “Sorry,” I whimpered and then turned back around cringing.
Candace bumped into a man holding a drink, which he spilled on himself. He turned around with arms cocked, ready for a fight, but looked down and noticed her belly. His face softened. “Oh man, a true party girl! Can I touch it?” She shot him an if you touch my belly I will murder you here and now look. He winced and scooched forward a little. Candace took another step back.
Jane’s tiara caught the light and sparkled wildly as we danced, reflecting little rainbows all over the place. She slithered to the music while Candace bopped along. I took some photos, then swayed and stumbled to the beat. All the Kool-Aid, champagne, and vodka had finally caught up with me.
A drunk guy wearing sunglasses on his head came over to chat. “Helloooooo, bride-to-be. You’re so pretty and sparkly.”
Jane looked away sheepishly and then fixed her stare right back on him. “You think I’m pretty?”
Candace and I exchanged a glance. Oh, please.
He stepped closer to her. “You are VERY pretty. And I love how you dance. Any chance you want to have one last fun night before you get married?”
I cleared my throat and tugged on her elbow. “Hey, let’s go back to our table. I’m feeling claustrophobic.”
After a fit of giggles, she said, “Awwww, you’re no fun, Mel,” and then waved goodbye to her suitor. She blew kisses to all the people who shouted “Congratulations!” as we passed by.
The waitress came by our table and we ordered kimchi fried rice, fries with gochujang dip, and spicy stir-fried rice cake. Yeah, there was no doubt now that this club was inspired by the Korean clubbing scene. Half the menu was filled with the kind of bar food you ate at 2 A.M. with your Korean friends after a night of heavy debauchery.
Throughout the night, as men of all shapes and sizes stopped by our table to chat with us, did they wonder why someone dressed like Lady Diana showed up to the club with her frumpy Asian friend and extremely pregnant sidekick? Maybe they were too drunk to notice, I concluded.
When our ginormous food order arrived, we passed around the platters of fried-up goodness and laughed the night away. Just as I stuffed some stir-fried spicy rice cakes into my mouth, I received a text from an Unknown ID.
You girls look like you’re having fun tonight. Congratulations to the bride.-DDay
My heart stopped. I scanned the room in slow motion. Everyone around me, smiling, drinking, dancing, eating. Jane’s tiara head thrown back in laughter. People making out at other tables. Twentysomethings on the dance floor grinding so hard they looked like they were making babies right there in front of me.
No one lurked. No one stared. But someone was here, watching me.
“I have to get out! He’s here!” Jane and Candace gaped as I knocked over my drink and scrambled out of the booth. “I’m sorry. I need to leave!” I grabbed my purse and ran to the entrance, bumping and elbowing my way out.
“Ow! Yeah, you better get out of here!”
“Watch your back!”
“I’ll fuck you up for that!”
Hate-filled words ricocheted around the room and enveloped me as I pressed onward to the exit. Sweat and tears streamed down my face as I thrust my trembling body through the front door, straight into a downpour.
Shit. My umbrella would have come in handy now.
Shivering, drenched, and terrified, I turned around to make sure no one followed me out.
How could I stay safe now? Danger was everywhere and I had nowhere to hide.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Can you explain one more time on how this stalker found your number?” The male police sergeant on the scene looked retirement age and had kind crinkles around his eyes. Very grandfatherly and sympathetic. But he didn’t know shit about troll stalkers.