ONCE MORE, WITH YOU

III

Summer Preston

When I arrived at the club, I noticed a crowd of people waiting in line while others lingered along the sidewalk, staggered and swaying under the influence.

I parked my car across the street, away from the drunken bodies. The last thing I needed was to come back and find a broken window.

Locking my doors, I crossed the street, the sharp clicks of my heels echoing against the pavement with every step.

To my left, I spotted Nolan and Adrianna approaching.

"I suppose we're already on the VIP list?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Honey, we're always on the VIP list," Adrianna replied, squishing my cheeks with both hands.

I swatted her hands away, earning a giggle. Nolan rolled his eyes at us as we made our way to the front of the line.

The people who'd probably been waiting for hours groaned in protest as we bypassed them.

Adrianna confidently gave the security guard our names, and we were immediately ushered inside.

The moment we stepped into the club, the air hit me—a potent mix of sweat, cigar smoke, and alcohol.

The bass reverberated off the walls, trapping the music in an almost suffocating rhythm.

We headed straight for the bar, where I took a moment to scan the room. The place was packed with high-end faces, many of whom I'd invited to the premiere.

My thoughts were interrupted by Nolan. "What are you drinking tonight?"

I hummed in thought before replying, "Don Julio. Get the whole bottle if you can."

His lips curled into a smirk. "This is why I love you."

I laughed as he turned to order the bottle. Adrianna, not to be outdone, ordered Espolòn.

"Don Julio and Espolòn? I'm scared to see how this night ends," I teased, making them both chuckle.

"Hey, you only live once! Go big or go home!" Adrianna exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious.

"I guess you're right," I agreed.

With bottles in hand, we made our way upstairs to the VIP section.

It was packed, with men and women clustered around tables playing pool or watching the football game on a massive flat screen.

Adrianna kept nudging me, her excitement barely contained. "Adri, what's so important—" I trailed off, following her finger to an Uno table.

Two women sat locked in an intense match.

"They have an Uno table?" I exclaimed, making Nolan laugh.

"You can play later," he said, dragging me back to the moment. "Right now, we're taking shots!"

I nodded, though Uno lingered in my mind. It's the only card game I've mastered, and I've never lost. Tonight might just be my time to shine.

We found an empty booth and signaled the bartender for shot glasses. Nine glasses appeared on the table, and we filled them to the brim.

With a clink, we threw our heads back and downed the shots.

The alcohol burned as it slid down my throat, forcing me to cough.

"You okay there, Summie?" Nolan asked.

"I'm fine," I rasped, the heat still lingering. "It's just been a while."

"We can tell, sweetheart," Adrianna teased with a smirk.

I flipped her off, which only made her laugh harder.

After some light conversation, we decided to hit the dance floor.

The alcohol coursed through my system as I descended the stairs, clinging to Nolan for balance.

The dance floor was packed with people moving freely, unbothered by judgment. Clubs really are sanctuaries for uninhibited fun.

Adrianna grabbed my hands, spinning me in circles until I couldn't stop giggling.

Nolan, meanwhile, was already chatting up some guy with blonde hair. He finds a new fling wherever we go, and I can't say I blame him.

"Get out of your head!" Adrianna shouted over the music. "Let go and just enjoy tonight!"

I nodded, giving in to the rhythm.

We danced through a few songs before Murder She Wrote by Chaka Demus & Pliers blasted through the speakers.

"We'll sit after this one!" Adrianna yelled.

Laughing, I twirled her around, only for her to accidentally bump into a woman behind her.

The woman turned, glaring at us as we struggled to hold back our laughter.

"I'm so sorry!" I managed, still giggling.

"Watch what you're doing next time," she snapped.

She was tall, with cascading blonde hair and an intimidating presence.

"Relax. I apologized," I said, the alcohol making me bolder than usual. "It's a dance floor. These things happen."

"I don't care," she said, stepping closer. Adrianna immediately placed herself between us.

"Listen," Adrianna said calmly. "I'm sorry for bumping into you. We're not looking for trouble."

The woman muttered something under her breath.

"Stupide ragazzine, mio dio," she said, which made my eyebrows knit together.
(Translation: Stupid little girls, my God.)

"What did you say?" I asked, curiosity piqued.

She glanced at her phone before replying smoothly, "Nothing, bellissima. Have a good night."

With that, she walked away, leaving me confused.

"She was beautiful, wasn't she?" Adrianna said, her tone teasing.

"Don't you start!" I warned, pointing a finger at her.

"I'm just saying! And she speaks Italian? That's a win in my book."

Rolling my eyes, I turned and walked towards the bar.

"Where are you going?" Adrianna called after me.

"To get another drink!" I replied.

Maybe a one-night stand wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.