.Chapter Four.
Cierra and AJ walked into Lex Deux night club in Los Angeles and immediately realized they were not in “Kansas” anymore. The loud music, the way people dressed, just the whole atmosphere of the Club itself was different than the ones they would go to in Virginia. Finally, after making their way through the thick crowd, they headed towards the back of the Club. Finally, after a few minutes of pushing through sweaty bodies, they made it to the back patio, only to be stopped by very familiar figure, AJ grinned, “Hey airplane buddy!”
Tony turned slightly at the sound, he grinned when he realized who was standing beside him, “Ladies! What are ya’ll doing here tonight?!” he yelled over the music of club. He was actually excited to see the two. It’s not very often people are friendly to the “hired help”. They usually only go for the superstar.
Cierra grinned, “AJ dragged me out to see the nightlife. We waited in line for about an hour before finally getting in. What are you doing out tonight? Are you off?”
Tony laughed heartedly, “Hardly. The boss is out on the patio. I am keeping things in check. I never have a day off with this boy.”
Cierra looked past Tony and couldn’t help but grin. There he was sitting in the far left corner on one of the couches they have outside, a small coffee table in front that was covered with tiny crystal glasses filled with various liquors and glasses. There was a young man sitting to his left holding hands with a gorgeous brunette. All three were deeply engaged in a conversation, leaning in close towards each other to hear. She couldn’t help but stare. He was wearing a faded denim pair of jeans with a plaid collared shirt. The sleeves were pulled up to his elbows and he was wearing a tie, the color she couldn’t make out. He had a grey sweater vest on over top and while she thought the outfit was ridiculous, he looked absolutely adorable.
Tony followed her gazed before turning back, “You guys can go on out there if you want. It is a lot less crowded. Just J and a bunch of his friends.” He stepped towards the side to let the women pass, ignoring the many groans and yells from other women standing around. Cierra walked towards the bar to order a drink, leaning against the bar she watched AJ while she talked to a young man who commented on her dress. AJ was wearing a black babydoll cocktail dress. It was a halter top with a slight V-cut. A beautiful light grey and black diamond tie went around the middle. AJ was wearing her favorite pair of heels because they made her taller but they didn’t kill her feet. Cierra sighed and turned back towards the bar when the bartended approached her, “Can I get you something, beautiful?”
She rolled her eyes, grinning, “Can I have a –“
“Cosmo for the lady and a Jack and coke for me, please. Put anything this young lady and her friend wants on the tab, too D.” A voice said behind her. She bit the side of her lip, turning towards her right as an armed leaned beside her against the counter. “Well, fancy meeting you here.”
“And just what makes you think I was going to order a Cosmo? I could’ve bought it.” She asked, placing one hand on her hip, the other holding her up against the counter. Their bodies were turned towards each other. The fact that she could smell his cologne made her realize just how close they were around the busy bar. Justin mimicked her.
“Seems like something you would drink,” he responded, grinning. “You don’t like people doing things for you, do you?” He finally got a chance to really look at her. He had seen them talking to Tony but wasn’t sure. She looked … sexy. She was wearing a knee length ruby babydoll dress. It had a pleated bust with inset straps and inverted-V. Her hair was pulled half back with wavy curls. She was wearing five inch black heel pumps that elongated her legs. Her bangs still hang off to the side and her make-up was well done. Not too much, he liked that.
The bartender arrived shortly later with her drink, placing the martini glass in front of her and Justin’s drink in front of him, “Anything else?” She looked towards AJ who seemed to already have a drink, still flirting with the mystery man. “No thank you,” she responded and watched the bartender move down the bar before turning back to Justin.
“I don’t mind people doing things for me; I’m just not used to it. On top of that, you don’t know me.” She took a sip of her drink before holding it in front of her with both hands, tilting her head to the side.
“Ohh, and she breaks out the typical female line: ‘you don’t know me’. Ouch. What if I am trying to get to know you?” He asked, straightening up and crossing his arms over his chest. “Do you want you to sit down? I can introduce you to some friends of mine.” She nodded and followed him as he walked back towards the couch. Sitting down, he patted the space beside him and she looked over to make sure she could still see AJ. When she waved back, Cierra took the seat next to Justin. Crossing her left leg over the right so her body was pivoted towards him and his friends, she smiled and took another sip of her martini.
“Guys, this is Cierra. Cierra this is my best friend Trace and his fiancé, Joanna. Her friend AJ is her too but I think she’s a little distracted,” He smiled at Cierra and glanced in AJ’s direction. Trace reached out and shook her had, “It’s nice to meet you. How are you settling into your new place? Justin told us about the airport. ”
She shook his hand and Joanna’s, “It’s nice to meet the both of you, too. The place is nice! I’m really excited. I woke up later than expected so the kitchen and our rooms are unpacked. Then AJ wanted to explore a little, so this was the place a nice lady in our building suggested.” The song changed and Rhianna’s “Distubria” filled the patio. Joanna looked at Trace and grinned, “I love this song! Come dance with me!” Before she knew it, Cierra was sitting alone with Justin.
He turned towards her, “So, you’re not supposed to ask a lady her age –“ But he didn’t finish before Cierra cut him off, “22 and I don’t care if you ask me my age or anything. It’s an understandable question. You could’ve just bought liquor for a minor.”
Justin took a sip of his drink, nodding his head, “I’m 27. Honestly, when I first saw you in the airport, you do look a lot younger than you are but I knew you weren’t a minor. They wouldn’t have let you in the club if you were.”
She grinned wickedly, leaning forward so her cleavage was a little bustier, “Would they?”
Justin’s hand stopped mid way towards his mouth and he licked his lips, “Okay, maybe they would.” And he finished off his drink, looking up at the bartender, signaling for two more.
She leaned back and giggled, “I’m just kidding. So what are you guys doing out tonight?” She sat her empty martini glass down and shuddered, “I hate the last sip. It’s nothing but alcohol.”
Justin chuckled, “That’s the good part. We got bored and my boy Joe over by the bar, he’s the one we’re having the party for, wanted to start early. I’m not really busy for the next two weeks so I thought what the hell?”
A young woman approached, sitting two more drinks down in front of them. Cierra raised her eyebrow at Justin, “That’s not a Cosmo.” He shook his head, “Man, you catch on fast. It’s a shot of Patron. That you are going to take with me. As a … celebration.”
Cierra leaned her head back and groaned, “Me and Tequila really do not get along, dude!” She picked up the shot glass and smelled before scrunching up her nose, extracting a laugh out of Justin. “What are we celebrating?”
The two held their shots, clinking them together in a cheer before Justin said, “Friendship.” They threw their heads back, taking the shot. She sat the shot glass down on the table and stuck her tongue out, “So grosssss.”
She watched as Justin signaled towards the bartender again and groaned. Tomorrow is going to be HELL, She thought. Complete hell when I wake up.
