The Arrangement

10.2 | Shirley Temple

TRIGGER WARNING: contains depictions of sexual assault.

Tracy sat at the end of the bar alone sipping her watered-down Shirley Temple. Melissa and Jennifer were upstairs in the VIP section, having accepted Tom's extended invitation, but Tracy refused. Instead, she remained at the downstairs bar watching as Jasmine and Tom danced the night away on the dancefloor. She had more fun watching them than anything else, but she was ready to go home.

Ever so often, she glanced up at the balcony to catch a glimpse of Mr. Cavanaugh to see if he was watching her. Of the several times, he'd only looked at her once, which solidified — in Tracy's mind — that he was indeed over her. For some reason, this bothered her, especially as Veronica stood by him, being the bombshell she was. Tracy wondered if the hair, dress, and heavy makeup she wore made her a contender for bombshell status or if she looked like a contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race. As she ruminated over it, she slurped the last of the Shirley Temple water.

"Whatever she's having, get her another one on me," a familiar voice said from behind her. He soon sat in the empty seat next to her sporting his crooked smile.

"You don't have to do that," she said nervously to the dark-haired guy from the dancefloor.

"I do," he said. "Consider it an apology. I'm sorry if I came on too strong out there. I meant no disrespect." He sounded earnest. Perhaps he and his friend had just gotten carried away? They looked like they were around her age, maybe a few years older. Still, Tracy was in no mood to flirt or deal with men. She usually went out of her way to avoid them completely in public.

"No worries, but thanks," she said as the bartender slid a fresh Shirley Temple her way. It made it only halfway, and the dark-haired man grabbed it and slid it the rest of the way to her. She thanked him.

"I'm Rhett," he said holding out his hand to her.

"Keri," Tracy lied as she took his hand. He held it longer than normal before kissing it and complimenting her soft, melanated skin. The hairs on the back of her neck rose and her stomach churned. She tried to subtly retreat from Rhett's strong grip to no avail.

"So, what's a gorgeous girl like you doing here?" he asked still holding her hand. Tracy fought the urge to roll her eyes at the archaic pickup line.

"Just out with friends," she said as she looked at Jasmine and Tom. He followed her gaze to the dancefloor. She used the distraction to slide her hand out of his.

"Where's your boyfriend?" he posed with a smirk. Tracy didn't respond. "No boyfriend?"

Tracy felt the strange urge she was being watched, feeling a strong energy coming from above to her right. She glanced at the balcony to see Mr. Cavanaugh looking at her. Though his face was composed, his blue, metallic eyes looked dangerous and wild. She also noticed his tense grip on the railing as he watched. Was he jealous?

"No," Tracy said returning her attention to Rhett with a bigger smile watching Mr. Cavanaugh in her periphery.

"So, you're single?" Rhett asked. She nodded. "It should be a crime to be single and so beautiful." Tracy chuckled disingenuously.

"Does that line usually work on girls?" She took a sip of her drink.

"I dunno. Is it working?"

"You get a D for originality, but a C for confidence," she teased. She glanced at Mr. Cavanaugh whose lips were now tense and his piercing eyes narrowed with contempt. Why was she satisfied by this?

"What do I have to do to get an A?" Rhett asked suggestively. Tracy immediately regretted even mildly flirting with him despite getting Mr. Cavanaugh's attention.