Bliss.
Until Asha comes home, full of the crackling energy she always has after her classes.
"Willow?" she calls from the hallway, slipping off her shoes before emerging into the living room.
"Hey?" I mumble around a mouthful of salsa, suddenly seeing myself through her eyes, horizontal on the couch, laptop on the coffee table, nacho bowl on my stomach, guacamole dip between my breasts, a sea of crumbs that makes it clear I haven't moved in hours. I hold the bowl out optimistically. "Guac?"
Asha's face is fixed into a horrified gaze for a few seconds before she marches into the center of the room and says, "Oh no. Uh-uh. I do not like this."
"What?" I say, wincing at the daylight she exposes by sweeping aside the curtains. "It's my day off."
"Exactly," Asha says, looking at me for a second and then turning away as if she can't bear more. "How long have you been lying there?"
I shrug and try not to let the cramps show as I sit upright.
"I dunno … couple of hours, maybe?"
"Mm-hm. And what episode of that show are you on?"
I shrug meekly.
"The seventh?"
Asha rolls her eyes with a new wave of disappointment.
"How long have you been out here in L.A.? A few months? It seems like you spend all your time either at work, or holed up in here hiding from real life. This city has so much to offer, and you never go out and soak it up."
"I'm … still getting comfortable. It's a lot to take in."
Asha pouts at me doubtfully.
"Los Angeles is not a place to get comfortable, it's a place to get adventurous! Is it any wonder you fucked your boss? He's the only guy you've met here."
"I'm just digesting. Recharging, you know?"
"‘Recharging'? It looks a lot like moping to me. Look: You are too hot, too charismatic, and too fucking awesome to be sitting at home alone on a Friday night." A slow smile breaks on Asha's face. "Especially when there's a hot new club opening tonight, and your roommate just happens to have an exclusive invitation with a plus one."
"Oh no … " I groan, though I know the second I say it that there's no refusal when Asha starts talking this way.
"Oh yes," Asha says. "And I'm gonna find you a guy so hot he'll make you forget you ever laid eyes on Cole Chambers."
I let out a laugh as I get up to pull myself together-I doubt there's anyone out there who could make me forget Cole.
By the time our Uber is pulling up outside the club, I can't deny that Asha's right. It feels cathartic dressing fabulously and getting out into an electrically-charged night. I'm in a satin pencil skirt Asha lent me, a loose fitting blouse unbuttoned almost to my navel, and a delicate gold chain with a crystal pendant that hangs right between my breasts. She's in a pale pink dress that hugs her body tight enough to show off every toned muscle. A figure that could kick your ass as easily as it could stalk a catwalk.
The good feeling continues when we step out of the car in front of the building, an incredibly striking collection of curved walls and glass windows, more like a Gaudi-esque art gallery than something you'd expect to find in downtown L.A. The pink and blue neon lighting making it feel like some alien pleasure craft that crash landed on earth rather than some exclusive club for the city's thrill seekers.
Asha locks arms with me and marches me past the line of beautiful people, all glossy hair and slouching postures.
"Hey," I say, leaning toward Asha as much as I can while walking in heels, "I think that's actually the line to get in."
"Oh, honey," Asha says, smiling at me as if I said something cute, "You ain't gotta stand in line when you look as good as us."
///
I try to ignore the jealous stares and look as confident as Asha. We reach the door where two colossal bouncers stand beside a pert blonde woman with a Madonna mic and a tablet in her hand.
"Excuse me-" she starts, before Asha interrupts her.
"Asha Greene."
"Asha … Greene … " the woman repeats to herself as she scrolls down the list on her screen.
"You don't need to check the list," Asha says. "Connor would have mentioned me by name. We just spoke this afternoon."
"Oh! Asha! Right," the woman says, stepping aside as one of the colossi pulls up the rope. "But Mr. Anderson won't be able to make it tonight."
"I know," Asha says, stepping through and pulling me by the hand behind her, "who do you think is taking his spot?"