It took a solid ten minutes of walking through the casino to get to the elevators that would take them up to the club. Bristol’s blood was pumping along with the beat when the doors to the club opened. They were immediately whisked away to the VIP section. She grabbed Annie’s hand as the crowd thickened around them. VIP was up the stairs and overlooked the dance floor. The decor, the booze, and the wait staff were top-notch, but they were still detached from the fun. Once they sat and placed drink orders, Bristol leaned over to whisper in Annie’s ear. “Somehow we are going to sneak away and get down on that dance floor.”

Annie turned so that her mouth was inches from Bristol’s. “We’ll need a distraction.”

“You’re distraction enough,” Bristol said. She wasn’t sure Annie heard her until she saw Annie’s eyes widen in surprise and narrow with something else. Desire? Lust? Whatever it was, it made Bristol’s heart swell.

“Now you’re just flirting,” Annie said.

“I was flirting days ago. This is something else.” Bristol was surprised at her own confidence.

“I can have Charley provide a distraction,” Annie said.

“What am I doing?” Charley leaned into the conversation after hearing her name.

“We need a distraction so that we can go out on the dance floor.” Bristol pointed to the first floor.

“You’re Bristol fucking Baines. If you want to dance, you just stand up and tell them, ‘Hey, I’m going to dance, and everyone can just watch from a distance.’”

“Charley makes sense. Let’s do these shots and head out there,” Annie said.

Bristol handed Charley and Annie a shot and tapped her glass against theirs. “Thank you for humoring me tonight.”

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Annie said.

Bristol stood and waved Bruce over. “We’re going to the dance floor. You can watch from a distance, but I won’t need you out there with us.”

He stared at her for the longest five seconds of her life. “Okay. I’ll have people posted around. Just signal if you need help.”

Bristol bit her cheeks from smiling. “Thanks, Bruce.” She grabbed Annie and Charley’s hands and quickly walked to the stairs before Bruce could decide it was a bad idea.

“It’s so dark in here, nobody’s going to know who you are. Besides, you have us as your bodyguards. Don’t let my thin arms fool you. I’m pretty scrappy,” Annie said.

“I believe you,” Bristol said.

“I’m going to grab a drink. You two dance,” Charley said. She moved her fingers in a circle motion, indicating they should get started without her. “I’ll find you.” Bristol didn’t miss the wink that Charley gave Annie before she headed to the bar.