"Shouldn't you wait for Kyle to get back?" I asked as she slid down off the stool.
"No." She shook her head and had the audacity to look surprised. "Why would I?"
"Well, Dee," I sighed. "Never mind. Go on - I'll wait here for Kyle and the drinks."
"Okay, Chick." She leaned in and pecked me on the cheek. "Love ya."
"Yeah, go have fun." I shooed her away and she spun out of reach, her body twisting and moving to each and every pump of music. I had no idea how Kyle kept up with her. She was absolutely insane. Hell, I didn't even know how I considered her my best friend. She was definitely a piece of work - but sometimes it was the effort you had to put into loving that made it so preciously beautiful.
Dee was infuriating, brutally honest to the point of hurtful and loyal beyond all expectation - and she was worth all the effort I had to extend into our friendship.
From the corner of my eye I saw Kyle arrive back at the table with our drinks. He only had the two and as he handed one to me, my eyes narrowed. "Where's yours?"
"I'm driving." He slid onto the stool. "Drink."
"Kyle,"
"Seriously El," he ran a hand through his hair. "If you have any hope of landing this job you've gotta loosen up. Dace is rough. There's no way you could take him sober - not on a first meeting anyway."
"So I keep hearing." I replied dryly.
"Then listen." Kyle barked back at me and I bristled. "He's not into bullshit and he doesn't give second chances. Either he thinks you'll do good or he won't. You've got one shot to impress him."
"Who did you think would be interviewing me tonight?"
His eyes travelled across the floor to where Dee was dancing with a large group of people who appeared to be collectively making love to the beat. I blushed at their movements and looked back at Kyle. He was still focused on Dee, but he spoke. "I was told Daman would be here tonight."
A deep throaty voice sounded from behind me and I froze. "Rex says you've got a girl for me, Kyle."
Kyle startled. His eyes were wide as they took in the violent creature I knew stood behind me. Or, everyone said he was violent - but I didn't know for sure. The man's voice sent shivers traveling the length of my spine and I was terrified to turn and face him, but at the same time, I felt safe. Something about this Dace creature made me feel as though I was completely and entirely safe. As unexplainable as it was, he put me at ease. And I hadn't even seen his face.
"Yeah," Kyle nodded and I trained my eyes on him. As safe as I felt, I wasn't ready to turn around and have my illusion of Dace shattered. What if he really was as mean as they said? What if all I saw in the pits of his eyes was malice? What if he made my skin crawl?
"Well," Dace's tone rumbled close behind me.
Kyle seemed to remember himself and he nodded toward me. "Her name's Ella."
When I still made no move to face him, he sighed heavily. Kyle was looking at me like I was insane and I knew I was blowing the interview - however unethical it was. But I couldn't move. I was freaking paralyzed and my heart was working double-time. I was a nervous wreck and it only got worse when Dace leaned into me. I felt his nearness as though there was an invisible string connecting me to him. He moved in and I became aware. My hands were shaking in my lap and I was suddenly thankful for the fact that I was sitting, because if I weren't, I most certainly would have been on the floor by now. I felt weak.
Dace's warm breath brushed against my cheek as he reached around me for my knee. My eyes were still set on Kyle's when I felt a large hand grasp tight above my knee and pull. The swivel stool spun and I found myself facing a hard chest adorned in a smooth black dress shirt. The sleeves were rolled up to rest just below his elbows and my heart stopped as familiar tattooed arms crossed over his chest. His legs were firmly planted into the floor and if he were anyone else, I would say he was standing way too close for comfort.
My eyes slowly took in his body before I found his face and my heart stopped as shocking blue eyes widened in startled disbelief.
When he didn't speak, I said the only thing I could muster. "You're Dace?"
He cocked his head to the side, the warmth in his face slowly dissipating. "And you're Ella." Did he not remember me? My heart fell into the darkest pit of my stomach as I entertained the thought. I'd been dreaming about his blue eyes and he didn't even remember me. Ouch. If that wasn't a blow to the ego, I didn't know what was. "You're looking for a job, Ella?"
I nodded. "I am."
Dace shifted. He looked bored, but I knew he was watching my every move attentively. "You know how to work behind a bar?"