tonight.”
I leave and get to work, put in a few hours, then head back home to get ready for the party. I opt to wear one of my newer bespoke suits. It’s black and fits to perfection. I pair it with a crisp white shirt and a black tie. I shave my face but leave a little stubble, too lazy to shave it bare. I style my hair neatly and add a splash of cologne before heading out.
I stop and pick up my date, Dee Dee. She’s a good friend in whom I have zero romantic interest, but I know she’ll be my fake date and it will help to keep Luna in her place. So many times, Luna and I have thrown caution to the wind when we knew we shouldn’t. I’m sure I would again tonight if I didn’t have a buffer, and I’m sure Luna would too.
“So, who’s this girl we’re dodging?” Dee Dee asks as she climbs into the passenger seat.
I laugh. “How’d you know?”
“The only time you ever ask me out is when you need to scare off some stalker. So, who’s the stalker?”
I roll my eyes. “She’s not a stalker. She’s a girl I met a few weeks ago. I fell hard for this one. We hooked up the first night we met. It was meant to be a one-time thing, but both of us fell harder than planned. Even though we knew we shouldn’t be together, it didn’t stop us.”
“Why can’t you be together?” she asks, applying a fresh layer of bright red lipstick.
“She’s in a band and the band was just signed. They’re going to be making an album and going on tour.”
“Oh wow. That’s awesome!”
I nod. “It is. But then she decided to hire me to be the band’s lawyer. So now I’m even more mixed up in the band and have another reason to keep things friendly between us. The only problem is that neither one of us can keep our hands to ourselves. So here you are. I want her to think I’m off the market and it’s no longer a possibility for us to hook up. I need her out of my system if I’m ever going to get over her.”
“Got it. Lay it on heavy and don’t let her push me away.”
“Well, not heavy. We can dance and talk, but I don’t want us confusing things either. Once you kiss these lips, you’ll be in love too, then I’ll have two problems on my hands.”
She laughs. “Oh please! You ain’t got nothing I haven’t seen before.”
I laugh. Dee Dee and I have always been close friends and nothing has ever happened between us. In fact, it’s nice having a woman as a close friend. She can help me figure out what the girls I date are saying since I’m not good at reading between the lines.
We make it to the Hot Vinyl headquarters and enter the Royal Record Room, where they hold gatherings and parties. The room is already full with the band, people who work at the label, and everyone else who’s been invited. The moment I walk in with Dee Dee on my arm, Luna looks over and our eyes lock. Her mouth drops open as she stares at this beautiful woman and me. Dee Dee would normally be my usual type. She has long blonde hair that hangs to her ass in soft curls. She’s tall and thin but built nicely, just like a model. She’s wearing a tight red dress that hugs her curves and puts her two best physical assets on display. And her face is done up perfectly: bright red lips and dark smoky eyes. Most women would be jealous of Dee Dee, though in my eyes, she’s nothing compared to Luna.
Luna’s wearing a short black dress and she looks damn good too. She’s dyed her hair black with purple highlights and it looks gorgeous curled and pinned up. Her eyes seem even darker tonight and her lips are a deep crimson red—almost maroon. They look thick and plump and perfectly kissable. Her wide eyes turn into slants and I can tell she isn’t happy with me. This upsets me but also makes me pleased. This was the whole reason for bringing Dee Dee—to keep her at bay.
I lead Dee Dee up to the band. “Hey, guys, this is my date, Dee Dee.” I motion toward her. “Dee Dee, this is the band. There’s Luna, Van, Ridge, and Lane.”
They all introduce