Page 80 of Mutual Discord

Denise glanced at the clock on my nightstand. “I’ll order a ride, and you can tell me about the next video you’re planning on the drive.”

After spritzing myself with perfume and shoving necessities into a clutch, I turned to her with a smile. “Let’s go celebrate New Year’s.”

At the door, Denise reached for her coat on the rack but paused, a frown pulling on her mouth. “Whose is that?”

She was staring at a blue hoodie hanging on a hook near her coat. My stomach swooped, and the truth slipped free before I could think better of it.

“Oh, it’s Alex’s.”

Denise pivoted to look at me. “Alex has been here?”

I nodded, trying to appear casual. Unruffled. And not like my pulse was speeding like a Formula 1 car. “Yeah. He stopped by after Christmas because I’d forgotten to give him his present.”

“Right,” Denise murmured. “It looks like the car is here.”

She walked out the door, but I paused. When I was certain Denise wasn’t looking, I brought Alex’s hoodie to my nose, inhaling his clean, familiar scent. Letting it drop back into place, I stepped outside, shutting and locking the door behind me.

—

The line to get inside La Respuesta wrapped around the block, but Denise assured me we were on the guest list.

“They’re going to let in a couple of thirtysomethings?” I said, my eyebrows in my hairline.

“When those thirtysomethings look this good?” Denise swept her hand up and down her body and then gestured at me. “Absolutely.”

I rolled my eyes, but true to her word, the bouncer checked our names off a list he held on a clipboard and welcomed us inside. The pulsing beat of an Olga Tañón song bounced off every corner of the large two-story room, with couples dancing and spinning around the center dance floor. Two ends of the floor were flanked by long, polished bars, each crowded with partygoers intent on securing a drink. Tables and private booths lined the opposite sides, and they were filled with laughing, smiling, and drinking patrons.

“Where’s our table?” I asked into Denise’s ear, hoping she could hear me above the din.

“Second floor,” she said, pointing up with her finger.

A set of stairs opened to a smaller space that overlooked the dance floor on all sides. The booths here were larger, the seats and benches deeper and more spacious, the lighting dim and intimate. Each section was flanked by potted palms, faux cacti, and flowering plants that provided a sense of privacy. The music wasn’t as loud in this space, either, which made conversation more manageable.

“It’s much better up here,” I said, glancing about.

“Right? That’s why I made this reservation months ago.” Denise snorted. “I’m too old to be shouting over the music all night.”

She led us to a table in the corner near the railing that overlooked the lower level, and a smile spread across my lips when I spied Camila cuddled in a large armchair with a tall blond man.

“Sofia, you’re here,” Camila cried, jumping to her feet and grasping my hands, bussing each of my cheeks. “It’s so good to see you.”

My smile was so big it hurt my cheeks. “And I’m so happy you could come celebrate New Year’s with us.” I pulled Denise into my side and introduced her to Camila.

“Oh, you’re the one who reserved the table.” Camila pecked Denise on the cheek. “Thank you so much. This is amazing.”

Denise beamed. “I’m glad you think so. The music is great, the drinks are good, and they don’t skimp on the alcohol. Plus, the vibes are immaculate.”

After Camila introduced us to Sam, who was incredibly good-looking if a bit shy, and content to stand by Camila’s side as she chattered away, I glanced about a bit anxiously.

Leaning to Camila’s ear, I asked, “Where’s Alex?”

The other woman’s eyes sparkled as her gaze slid to a spot over my shoulder. Glancing back, my gaze collided with Alex’s just as he emerged from the crowd on the other side of the room, and my mouth went dry.

He was dressed completely in black, from his perfectly tailored trousers to his fitted black collared shirt that hinted at his athletic frame. His dark hair was stylishly tousled, and to my delight, Alex’s black-framed glasses sat perched on his nose. My lips slid into a dreamy smile against my will.

Several women watched him as he walked past, and I couldn’t fault them for their admiration because Alex looked so good, heat coiled low in my core. But what made my chest absurdly tight was that Alex kept his eyes on me and no one else.

“Hi, beautiful.” His hand pressed against my lower back, his thumb sweeping across my skin as his gaze darted between my eyes and lips. “You look unbelievable.”