Nobody recognized her in the darkness and flashing lights. She pulled Annie close to her and started moving. She loved to dance. Onstage dancing was different than fun, club dancing. Here she could let go. Onstage, everything was choreographed and in sync with several other dancers. Here she could let her hair down and just have a good time. Bristol put her hands on Annie’s hips as she swayed. Annie covered Bristol’s hands with her own.

“Is this okay?” she whispered in Annie’s ear. She couldn’t hear Annie’s words but felt her nod. They moved slower than the music. Annie’s body molded against Bristol’s almost wickedly. Annie pushed herself against Bristol. The music was too fast for Bristol to put her arms around Annie, but they moved together until Charley showed up with drinks, breaking their moment.

“Rum and Coke. I’m sorry, Bristol. I don’t know what you drink, so I just got you what Annie and I drink.”

They moved off the dance floor. Bristol took a sip. It was too bland for her, but she smiled at Charley and took another sip. “Thanks. I appreciate it.” She fanned herself with her free hand and watched the people around her move. Nobody acted any different around her. She felt normal. She felt alive.

“You’re not the only famous person here,” Annie said, but not maliciously.

Bristol smiled. As nice as this was, she knew her life couldn’t be clubs and late-night shenanigans forever. “Are you ready to get back out there?”

“Listen. You two do your thing out there, and I’m going to gamble. I hope that’s okay? I’m hearing the call of the roulette table,” Charley said.

Bristol knew it was a ploy so that she and Annie could be alone. Well, as alone as two people on a crammed club floor could be. “That’s great. I promise to keep an eye out for her and not get us into any trouble.”

Charley hugged Annie and whispered something in her ear that made her smile and reach for Bristol. They watched as she faded off into the throngs of people. Bristol turned to Annie. “Do you want to go back to VIP? Maybe we can actually have a conversation.”

“Sure. I could use the chance to cool down.”

Bristol grabbed Annie’s hand and climbed the stairs to VIP. They returned to their table, sitting closer this time. Without question, Annie was into her, and it made her feel invincible. She ignored her phone buzzing in her pocket. It was probably Lizzy checking in, and Bristol wanted the night off.

“Do you know those people?” Annie pointed to three women who were talking to one of Bruce’s henchmen and pointing at them.

Bristol squinted in the dark room and felt a chill overtake the heat that Annie had put in her heart. “Shit.”