When the first month of the semester comes to an end, Reagan declares we need a girls’ night. We’re getting ready to go out with Hana at the apartment on Thursday, music blasting while we get sidetracked with an impromptu fashion show that leaves us all cracking up.
“Oh my god, yes,” Reagan says from her seat on my bed. “Hana, you have to wear that.”
“Really?” Hana splays her hands over her flat, toned stomach. “I’ve worn crop tops for dance costumes, but I’ve never had the confidence to rock it for a regular outfit. I don’t have any boobs to fill it out with like you both do.”
“Make tonight the night, because you look so hot in that,” I say. “Look.”
I take her by the shoulders and put her in front of the mirror hanging on the back of my door. The black crop is form fitting with three cut outs across the chest. Subtle sparkles in the material catch the light.
“We’ll do your hair like this and do a cat eye. I have a shadow palette of pinks and reds that’ll look great on you.” I mess with her hair and her eyes light up. “Yeah?”
“Yes. Reagan, hand me those high-waisted pants.”
While we’re putting the finishing touches on our outfits, I text Easton photos of how I look.
Easton: Hot damn you look sexy.
Maya: Thanks [heart emoji]
Easton: Where are you going for girls night?
Maya: Ohhh sorry. I can’t tell you.
Easton: Why not?
Maya: No boys allowed [wink emoji]
Easton: Fair. Let me know when you’re there and when you plan to leave so I know you’re safe? Have fun [heart emoji]
My teeth scrape my lip, but I can’t hold a smile back.
“Aww, look at her. She’s so in love,” Reagan teases. “Don’t even pretend you’re not texting your boyfriend. That’s the way your face looks every time you talk to him.”
My mouth pops open and I hold my phone against my chest. “I—Okay, fine. Easton said to have fun.”
“He’s so sweet,” Hana says.
Reagan smirks. “Did he also tell you that you look sexy in that dress?”
I catch her eye in the mirror while I apply a bold red lipstick. “Yes. Are we ready?”
“Yup. I’ll order our Uber,” Reagan says. “Let’s go shake our asses off until our feet go numb.”
“Hell yeah,” I say with a laugh.
The nightclub is in a neighboring town. It’s the only one nearby with a decent dancing space and a good DJ. It’s crowded and lively for a Thursday when we arrive.
“Okay, girls,” Reagan announces as we survey the room. “Let’s go break some hearts and make some damn good memories.”
She takes mine and Hana’s hands and leads us to the dance floor. We find an open spot to fill, moving to the music. I get into it, gliding my hands down my sides and winding my body.
Reagan holds up her phone and we all squeeze together to take selfies.
When the next song starts, Hana busts out some techniques that blow us away. Reagan and I become her hype girls and she draws a small crowd until the song is over. She grins and bows to the applause from people around us.
We move back into a tight circle for the three of us. A short girl with red hair almost trips when she passes our spot. Hana grabs her arm before she falls, pulling her into our dance circle.
“Thanks. Someone spilled a drink and I slipped,” she says.
“No problem. Oh, wait,” Hana says. “I know you, right? Do you go to Heston?”
“I do! I’m Corinne.”
“I’ve seen you around the arts buildings,” Hana says. “I’m studying dance.”
“Awesome. You girls go to Heston, too?” Corinne asks me and Reagan.
“Psych major with a minor in physical therapy,” I say.
“Music and production,” Reagan answers.
“Well, I’m glad I tripped near you,” Corinne says.
“Did you come out alone?” Hana asks.
Corinne shakes her head. “No, but I think the people I came with ditched me. They’re out on a mission to hunt some good dick.”
Reagan smirks. “A fair and noble endeavor. But shitty of them to bail on you.”
Corinne shrugs. “It’s cool. I don’t mind. I’ll call an Uber when I’m ready to go back to campus.”
“Stay with us. We’ll give you a ride when we leave. We’re here for a girls’ night,” I say. “We have a no girl left behind policy.”
She grins. “Perfect.”
Within minutes of meeting, we’re enjoying ourselves as we dance. Corinne fits right in like she’s always been our friend.
We’re absorbed in the next song when two guys make moves to get closer. They start off at the edge of our circle until they catch our eye. Reagan exchanges a look with me and shrugs.
“Ladies,” one guy says. “You look like you’re having a good time. Can we get in on that?”
For the first song, they just dance with us. It’s okay, until the second guy takes Corinne by the hips and doesn’t let up until she stomps on his foot.
“Don’t wear out your welcome,” she warns. “I might be short, but I’ve got heels on that I’m not afraid to use on your balls if you try that shit again.”
He backs up, arms raised in surrender. “It’s cool, I didn’t mean to come on too strong. You were giving me those eyes that said you wanted to feel this.”
I pull a face when he reaches down to squeeze his junk. His smug expression falters when he looks beyond my shoulder. Tapping his friend on the shoulder, both of them back away.
“Are you okay?” I ask Corinne.
“Yeah. Nothing we couldn’t handle. They moved on easily enough.”
“Maybe that’s why.” Reagan points and I turn around.
A familiar face appears through the dancing crowd.
Easton glares at the guys who tried to hit on us before making his way to me. His protective expression melts into adoration when his eyes roam over me.
“Wow. The photo was one thing, but the real deal is something else.”
“What are you doing here?” I’m surprised, but not mad to see my boyfriend.
His touch skims down my bare arms to capture my wrists in a gentle hold. He cocks his head, brows lifting.
“It wasn’t difficult to figure out. This is the only place people go out when they want a more lively scene than The Landmark has to offer.”
“Are you crashing girls’ night?” Reagan pokes Easton’s arm. “No hockey players allowed.”
He holds up his hands. “I’m not here to crash. I just came as DD so you don’t have to wait for a ride back. You can let loose and enjoy girls’ night. I’ve got your back.” The corner of his mouth quirks up and he winks at me. “I’m an excellent bodyguard.”
I bite the corner of my lip, touched he came just to watch over us. “I’m good with that.”
Reagan nods. “Okay, same. You can stay. Damn it, why do you have to be such a great guy, Easton?”
He chuckles and points to the bar. “I’ll keep an eye out from over there. Don’t accept drinks from anyone you don’t know or haven’t seen poured yourself.”
I sway into him, my chest expanding with affection. “Thank you.”
He kisses the top of my head. “Anything for my girl.”
“You guys know the hockey team?” Corinne asks when he navigates to the bar.
“He’s Maya’s boyfriend,” Hana answers.
“Oh, shit. Nice.” She holds out her fist and I bump mine against it. “Is it true the players fuck like animals? Seems like they would with all that raw energy during the games.”
Reagan and I snort, leaning heavily on each other for support. I’ve told her about what it’s like with Easton because we tell each other just about everything.
“I can’t speak for all hockey players, but, uh, yes?” I stammer. “Can’t complain, ten out of ten.”
“More like twenty out of ten at least after what you told me,” Reagan says.
The four of us break into giggles, then the song changes. Corinne and I hold our arms in the air.
She bounces on the balls of her feet. “Oh, oh! Here we go.”
“Let’s do it,” I say with a wide grin.
Hana backs her ass up against Reagan and Corinne pairs off with me. We belt the lyrics of the song while we dance our hearts out. I sink low, waving my hands along Corinne’s petite frame while she rolls her body, then pop back up with my arms twisting above my head.
When the song ends, we’re out of breath and laughing. I catch Easton’s eyes on me. He’s watching with a mix of amusement and desire that makes me feel amazing. It reminds me of the way we met.
Another song starts up that gets us just as hyped, and we lose ourselves to having the best night.
