Dark Alley: Stranger (Dark Alley #1)

One

Alice stared into her mirror's reflection, perusing her features, which were slowly starting to show signs of aging. She was in her thirties, but now and then people still mistook her for much younger. But maybe that was just an effort to make her feel better. In the end she didn't really care anymore. She thought of herself as pretty. She didn't have to hide her face or be shy about herself, and she didn't want to either.

Her look in the mirror had one purpose only; to make sure that she hadn't totally messed up her make-up. She looked fine – even beautiful – but she blamed it on the heavier make-up than she usually wore when going into the office. The dark eyeliner brought out the green in her usual dominant blue eyes and her dark-brown hair was pulled back in a slick, high ponytail. She was wearing tight black jeans and a low cut black blouse which showed the dark silver tank top that hugged her boobs. She could get rid of the blouse anytime, if she wanted to. Alice didn't wear high heels or pumps or any of that pain inflicting crap. She wore black sneakers, because she wanted to dance herself into exhaustion, even if it meant that she would do that on her own.

Her best friend Bianca had been bugging her for weeks to go out partying with her and the girls, and now she had finally given in. She dreaded going out with them, because most of them were mommies and the only topic they could talk about was their kids.

She had no problem with children, it's just a topic, one which she had no idea about, and it was unnerving to be reminded that all her friends were now married with children – apart from Bianca, who had a fiancée.

The reason why Alice had agreed on joining in the girl's night out was that it was time for her to throw herself out there again. She wanted to enjoy herself, and most importantly, prove that she didn't need a boyfriend to be happy and complete.

It had only been two months since she had dumped Gary, because she couldn't endure his thoroughly planned life. Alice wanted more, more of everything, and he didn't even comprehend her, as she tried to explain her desires.

Their relationship had been perfect, that was just the point. They had never fought, never strayed from their daily routine. Gary knew her likes and dislikes in and out, never daring her to try something new. What once had been sweet and romantic was now bland and annoying - and she finally had enough. She had been with Gary for four years, and the last twelve months had been pure torture.

In the last few weeks being single, it had given Alice enough time to make up her mind, and she had come to the conclusion that she didn't need a boyfriend to feel fulfilled - that it was okay to be different from her friends.

She stopped herself from looking into the mirror one more time, grabbed her little purse, tucked it into the hidden pocket of her jeans, and hit the road.

They had agreed to meet in front of the brand new and exclusive club in town. Reservations had been made two months ahead; enough time for Alice to mentally prepare herself for going into battle. This time, however, without the usual war paint. She went clubbing for her own pleasure only and not to turn random men's heads, just like Bianca had suggested.

Alice had tried her very best to be blind to the fact that going on a girls night out wouldn't change the main topic of the evening, kids.

Eventually she had slowly set herself apart from the competing mommies. Bianca, however, was obviously torn between being her best friend and wanting to be part of the clique. It didn't take long for Alice to realize why. The woman, who had been her sworn ally for more than a decade, had stuck to drinking water for the last two hours.

Closing her eyes in frustration, Alice let out a long sigh and turned toward the bartender, downing the remains of her fourth White Alexander.

"Want another one?" the hot guy asked.