Young & Reckless

Chapter 2- Talia

Chapter 2- Talia

 "On three: One, two, three!" Samuel declared as we slammed the shot glasses on the table, taking a quick shot of Patron simultaneously.

The burning sensation slid down my throat, "whoo!" I whooped out, sucking on a lemon wedge and licked the salt from the outside of my hand. Four shots in, I'm getting tipsy.

"You're a trooper, huh?!" Samuel exclaimed, squeezing my thigh gently.

"Baby," I swooned, peppering kisses all over his handsome face. . All night, he's been affectionate and close. I thought about ending things last week, but he's been introducing me to people he knew. People with money. I met two CEOs in one week. He's a keeper, for a few more weeks. Probably a month. Two, tops.

Jennette swallowed down another drink, squeezing her face from the burn. She had three martinis, two Brandis, and countless shots of tequila. She's anxious drinking. I gave her a 'calm down' expression. She returned with a 'please' look and an eye roll.

I was about to burst. All that alcohol with no food, I might piss on myself. I stood up to search for the bathroom. After I finished my business, I bumped into someone. "Sorry!"

"My fault!" The man claimed in an apologetic tone.

Before he could leave I recognized his side profile. "Dennis?!"

His brown eyes scanned me from head to toe until the realization lit his face up.

"Talia?!" He smiled widely.

"Oh my God!" I hugged him, he lifted me from the ground, and gave both of us a spin. Last time I saw him, he was in a suit and tie. He was in a leather jacket and fitted pants. Total 180. How long was that? Two years ago? "I missed you!"

"Me too. It's been too long," he responded, grinning.

"I know! Like two years!?" I laughed.

"Yeah! You look amazing!" His hand touched my arm gently.

"You still look handsome," I gushed.

"Dennis! Who's the babe?" A burly, gruff, average height guy asked came from behind him.

"Talia, this is Noel. Noel, Talia," Dennis introduced me.

Noel pulled his hand out. "milady!"

"Good sir!" I smirked. He kissed the back of my hand. Samuel grabbed my waist in a possessive hold. "Oh, this is Samuel! My boo!"

"Nice to meet you!" they both said, hand shaking him.

I turned to Dennis, who took a sip of his drink. "How have you been?! How's your dad?!"

"It's kind of complicated!" Dennis replied.

"Why?!" I asked. His family was wealthy, all that old money. Family legend.

"I don't want to get into it tonight!" he made a cut gesture to stop.

"Well, Jennette still talks about you!" I held my drink up. Samuel was talking on the phone.

"She's here?!" He opened his eyes wider.

"Yeah!" I pointed behind him. Jennette had a huge crush on him in high school but never told him. I think he did too, their chemistry was untouchable.

"Oh my God, Dennis!" Jennette showed her toothy smile when she saw him. She opened her arms, grabbing him by the neck as they swayed from side to side. I shook my head, just like old times.

"Damon! Over here!" Samuel gestured, waving back and forth. I noticed the man in the fitted black suit moving toward us. I grinned, straightening my posture. I met him a few times when I was out with Samuel. He seemed like the strong silent type. His piercing blue eyes stared across the room. Coiffed hair and a smirk, he saw us and weaved through the crowd. The music became slow and low. Finally, I didn't have to shout. Damon whispered something in Sam's ear.