Chapter twenty four

Chapter twenty four

Chapter twenty four

Heather

Maybe it was for the best that Ethan found love again. I was happy for him. Yeah, I’m sure this ugly feeling at the pit of my stomach was happiness, right? It had to be.

Scratch that, I was super pissed.

I walked straight to my bedroom and slumped on the bed. The image of the girl clutching Ethan’s arms and smiling flashed across my mind in slow motion. I groaned in the frustration.

I tried to ignore the feeling and focus on the reason I had gone there in the first place. I'd paced around in my living room for about fifteen minutes after receiving the text message before deciding to go speak to him.

I had seen the girl earlier when I was coming in, but a part of me hoped she'd left. But of course, she hadn't, because he was her boyfriend and they were doing “couple’s stuff”. I huffed as the words replayed in my head.

It all made sense now. Why he'd stopped himself from kissing me the other day and why he was so dismissive last night. I'd been overthinking something so simple. He hadn't wanted to cheat on his girlfriend.

Anger flared in my chest at the thought that I almost gave in. I almost kissed him. If he hadn't stopped himself, I would have.

I sucked in a sharp breath and sat on the bed. Now that I know he wasn't in any danger and that he'd spent his night with his girlfriend instead, I had to do something. I wasn't going to sit in my apartment and sulk about my single pathetic life.

A voice that sounded a lot like Tabitha’s and Lisa’s whispered into my ear. The idea was stupid and reckless, but god knows I was tired of playing it safe everytime.

I was tired of everyone moving on while I was still stuck in one place. All it took was almost kissing him and I was ready to fall back into his arms and risk everything. I needed to forget about my past and actually take a step forward.

I was going to do something I hadn't done in a while. Get laid.
There were many places on earth where you can find a one night stand. But the closest, most accessible was a nightclub, especially one crawling with New York hottest men on a Friday night.

I couldn't remember the last time I casually hooked up with someone. The closest I'd come was kissing someone at Dallas's wedding reception. That was because I was slightly drunk and was trying to avoid Ethan. It had worked, but I regretted it when I was sober.

I didn’t like casual sex, I try my best to avoid it. But right now, it didn't seem like such a bad idea. Especially when I was trying not to be bothered by my ex boyfriend and his hot girlfriend across the hall.

I picked up my phone and sent a text to our group chat.

HEATHER: Anyone up for a night out? Let’s go dancing!

I waited for a few minutes before I saw Dallas typing back.

DALLAS: Can’t. Already have a date planned with my bed. I'm so tired!!!

JENNA: Can’t drink or party the night before a runway show. My agent will kill me. Literally.
JENNA: Besides, should you be out drinking after what happened last time? Got anymore secret to spill??

DALLAS: I think the bigger question should be why Heather wanted a night out. Are you okay? @chef_heather.

I bit my lower lip and tried to come up with a believable lie. I understood Dallas skepticim. They all knew this was way out of character for me. The last time I had suggested we go out, I had been hiding something from them and ended up spilling it while drunk.

But how was I supposed to tell them that I wanted to go out because my apartment felt suffocating, and that my ex boyfriend had a hot girlfriend who he'd spent the entire night with yesterday.

I drew a long sigh, frustrated with my decision. If I wasn’t so chicken about going to a night club alone, I wouldn’t have had to text them. Besides, my purpose was to find a man to sleep with. It’s not like they can help me with that.

HEATHER: I’m fine. I’m just so bored here. (exhausted emoji).
HEATHER: I just finished meeting with the interior designer and I just didn’t want to be alone. It’s a Friday night.

@JJang went offline.

@tabitha_tate came online.

TABBY: Aw! I would have loved to go with you but I’m in D.C. Won’t be back until after the weekend. (sad emoji)

DALLAS: I can come over if you want, help you ease the boredom. It’ll be a great chance to finally see your apartment.

Okay, shit. I wasn’t expecting her to suggest that. I absolutely did not want her to come over. My friends haven’t been here since I moved in. Well, except the day I was moving in. Dallas helped me move. I didn’t want them coming when my main focus was getting away from here.

HEATHER: And let Oliver kill me for taking his wife away in the middle of the night? No, thanks. Appreciate it though, but you should take that rest. And I really just feel like dancing, not staying at home.

TABBY: Alright then. Have fun!
TABBY: Gotta go. Stuck in a work call.

@tabitha_tate went offline.

DALLAS: Please, send the address of the club you’re going to, just in case we need to come get you. Don’t get too drunk.

The only thing I was getting drunk on today is a man's dick.

Ew! That was so cringe. Thank God, I didn't type that. How the hell do people not feel cringe when talking dirty?

HEATHER: Will do. Love you!
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Okay, so maybe I should have thought this through before actually doing it. But lately, thinking things through hasn't been my strong suit. Quitting my job on a whim, buying an entire restaurant, moving into a new place without a solid plan, the list of my impulsive decisions was endless.

I swirled the drink in my glass, my eyes scanning the packed dance floor. I couldn't have picked a better night to get laid. It had to be on a Friday night when the entire place was packed, loud music, body writhing with sweat.

But that was the plan, right? Dance. Drink. Find a one night stand so I stop thinking about my ex-boyfriend. Simple.

Except I’d been sitting here for the past thirty minutes and haven't done either of the three things. I just sat there, legs crossed, sipping my drink, and glaring at the room like a super villian in a Hollywood movie.

Fucking kill me already.

“Is this seat taken?” I flinched at the voice so close to me ear. I looked up from my glass, half expecting a drunk frat boy with a cocky smirk.

But instead, I saw a tall, handsome, and well dressed man with an apologetic expression on his face.

“I didn't mean to frighten you. Sorry.” he said, his voice somehow cutting through the loud music.

“It's fine. The seat is empty.” I said.

He flashed me a smile and slid into the seat.

“I hope you don't mind me siting here.” He said.

“I don't.”

“Great. I'm Ethan.”

I wasn't quick to rein in my chuckle. Of course, it is. Of all the names in the world. I came out here to drink and forget about the ‘Ethan’ that lived across the hall from me, and the current source of my emotional turmoil, only to be approached by another ‘Ethan’, despite the huge number of guys in this club. The universe does have a sick sense of humour.

I took a slow sip of my drink. Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe just the sheer ridiculousness of it all, but I met Ethan 2.0 eyes and smiled.

That nickname sounded great in my head.

“Heather.” I said.

Ethan 2.0 leaned in slightly, his elbows resting casually on the table like we were old friends and not two strangers thrown together by the universe’s twisted humor.

“You don’t look like you’re having fun,” he said, eyes scanning my fsce. “Rough night?”

I smiled, swirling the liquid in my glass again. “You could say that.”

“You here alone?” he asked.

“You're trying to kidnap me?” I asked though it wasn't entirely a joke. It was highly possible that he was sent to kidnap me.

Ethan 2.0 laughed. “I was just trying to make sure I don't get punched by an angry boyfriend. Happens around here a lot.”

I felt the urge to tell him off. But that would mean I didn't get what I came here for. Casual sex. I sighed and fought off the urge.

“Well, no boyfriend. Just me and this sad, glass of tequila.”

His lips hooked up in a smirk. “That’s good news for me then.”

I arched an eyebrow, despite knowing what he was implying. “How's that good news?”

“Well, I get to ask a pretty girl to dance with me. That's pretty great.” he said.

I let out a chuckle. He was funny, laid back, and sexy. That was everything I wanted in a man, but somehow, I still couldn't manage to feel anything.

I pushed my frustrations away and smirked.
“Are you asking me fo dance?’

“Only if it's what you want. But I must slip in that I'm a pretty great dancer.”

“Well, Ethan 2.0, how about we find out how much do a dancer you really are.” I said. He took my outstretched hand and we proceeded to the dance floor