Chapter Seven
“You what?” Brooke’s eyes narrowed, and she set down her martini on the polished marble surface of the bar at Colton’s, an upscale Manhattan restaurant. They were out for Brooke’s twenty-seventh birthday, and they had all ramped up their fashion game. The dark grey dress Brooke wore was typically conservative, but did have a flare of interest with the beads on the neckline, sleeves and hem. Brooke’s dark hair was pulled into a severe bun.
Callie had promised herself she wouldn’t feel defensive, but Brooke’s look made her squirm. “I slept with him, so just get over it.” Her own ensemble had been chosen with the help of Harper, who simply knew what Callie liked. So the coral organza thigh-length dress with a sporty racerback neckline and a skirt of oversized rosette appliqués fit her to a tee. Thinking about how Owen liked her hair loose, Callie had actually taken the time to use a curling iron, though she’d had to borrow it from Poe.
“I told you it was going to happen,” Harper said with a smug look. “Owen is charismatic and gorgeous.” Harper was wearing a red, multi-tonal sequined dress woven with a lightning motif throughout with a red mesh jacket, the lapels red silk. Harper’s tresses were a mass of golden curls. There wasn’t a man who passed them who didn’t gape.
“He’s funny and sweet, too,” Callie said, knowing she sounded defensive again.
“Oh, she’s a goner,” Poe said taking a long drink of her martini and looking very stylish in a one-shoulder snake print dress with a loose-fitting blouson top nipped at the waist. The style of the dress revealed the raven tattoo just below her collarbone, fashioned out of the word nevermore. Poe’s long, dark blue-streaked hair was pulled into a sleek, high ponytail.
Brooke groaned. “Are you sure about this?”
“I know what I’m getting into. I think he feels something for me.” Callie hoped that her defensiveness didn’t stem from any subtle sign she got from Owen.
“You have stars in your eyes, and I thought you were past all this, Callie,” Brooke said, signaling the bartender for another round.
“It’s not the same,” she insisted. “I saw it in his eyes.” She had seen it when he’d been making love to her. She was sure of it.
“Well, if you’re really sure about this, I guess I can’t change your mind.”
She touched Brooke’s arm, and her friend’s face and eyes softened. Callie knew her friend was just being tough because she was worried about her. “Nope. I’d love for you to meet him.”
“Let’s go now,” Harper said with a mischievous smile.
“That’s an exclusive club and a tough door. The drinks are like twenty-five bucks. We can’t get in without Owen’s say-so,” Brooke said, downing a quarter of her martini.
“I’ve got a voucher he gave me, so we can get in,” Poe said.
“I don’t need no stinking voucher,” Harper laughed. “I’m a regular there and I know the doorman.”
“Of course she does,” Poe murmured and rolled her eyes. “She knows practically everyone. It’s too pricey for me.”
“Don’t worry, we won’t stay long. We’re just going to meet Owen, and I’m sure he’ll be generous with the drinks.”
“I don’t know—” Callie was cut off.
“Come on. It’ll be fun,” Harper said. Brooke looked worried and Poe resigned.
Dragging Callie along, they all climbed into Harper’s limo and directed the driver to FLASH. Callie wasn’t sure this was such a good idea, but she wanted to see Owen. Yesterday had been special. Waking up in his arms this morning had been seductive and cozy, none of that awkward morning after. They fooled around in the shower and she’d been late for work. After walking the dogs, they had found it surprisingly easy to return Jack to her loft.
The limo pulled up in front of FLASH, which turned out to be fairly close to Colton’s. She would never have been able to get in, at least not without Harper or Poe’s voucher.
The line snaked around the corner. The ornate wooden door was guarded by a very big man. His shaved head gleamed in the streetlight glow, and the closer she got to him, the larger he loomed. No one was getting inside this club who didn’t belong there. But then the doorman saw Harper and his eyes lit up. She charmed him, and he let them through. The music was loud, and the place was full, with several celebrities, plenty of models who looked too young to drink, and tons of older, sharply dressed men to escort them. At the bar, Harper yelled over a pounding beat. The bartender told them Owen was in the back. Harper led the way. When they got there, the door was ajar. Callie pushed it open with a smile on her face, but it evaporated immediately.
Owen was up against his desk. His shirt was undone and Celeste was all over him, her mouth on his.
She gasped, and her heart plummeted to her feet. No matter how much she’d prepared herself, she felt her heart break. She’d been a fool. At the sound, Owen turned his head and his eyes widened.
“Callie!”
She didn’t wait. She turned and ran through the dancers and out the front door of the club.