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“What?” She shouts.
I roll my eyes. We’re both wearing heels, but I’m still about six inches shorter. “I said. Is this dress too short?”
Her gaze sweeps my body, and she gestures for me to turn around. “I think it’s the perfect length,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows.
“I’m serious.”
“So am I. You look hot. Don’t worry.”
I nod my head, choosing to believe her. It’s not like I’m worried I won’t find someone to dance with. I’m not here to find a man. But I don’t want to look like I’m spilling out of a child’s dress either.
“What time do you have to be home by?” Julia leans over as close to me as possible so that I can hear her over the bass.
“My mom’s out of town with her boyfriend, so…” I say, my sentence trailing off as I shrug. I decided to live at home during my freshman year to save some money, but my mom likes to joke that she sometimes forgets I’m even there at all.
Still, it’s not like her to take unplanned vacations so last minute, but it is very much like her boyfriend, Albert.
Maybe a little spontaneity will be good for her.
“Oh, good job, Meredith,” Julia says in approval.
I roll my eyes. There’s a lot more to dating someone than their wealth, but that’s not exactly a shared opinion. For what it’s worth, I really do like Albert. He seems kind and considerate and lavishes my mom with extravagant gifts, attention - whatever she wants. It’s nice to see her happy. In our corrupt city, eligible dating options for the assistant prosecutor are pretty limited.
“So, since Meredith is gone, we’re staying until midnight at the earliest.”
“Fine,” I groan.
Not that my mom would care now, either way.
I smooth the dress over my hips. Honestly? She’d probably be relieved.
I think my good girl reputation makes her nervous. She says most kids go through a party stage and she’s been slightly concerned that I’ve never really shown an interest in it.
I consider texting her a picture of my outfit but stop short. She’s on vacation with her boyfriend. Mom hasn’t had a boyfriend who treats her well in a long, long time. She deserves to enjoy this without me interrupting.
“Don’t look so sad, Christina,” Julia says, nudging me forward. “It’s not like I’m trapping you at the library to study. We’re going to have fun.” Her eyebrows raise in forced enthusiasm.
“I know, I know.” I chew the inside of my cheek. Nerves flutter in my stomach as we approach the door. It’s not that I don’t like going out with Julia. We just have very different consequences for getting caught drinking underage.
Corrupt Deputy District Attorney prosecutor’s daughter caught drinking underage in Mafioso club.
I can see the clickbait now. I run a hand through my hair nervously as the bouncer checks our IDs. I’ve been careful, ever conscientious to avoid being reduced to a media headline. Being labeled corrupt or associated with the Mafia would be my worst nightmare.
Besides, any criminal activity or even the appearance of it has far-reaching consequences for my future.
My scholarship to Millerton University, my pre-law track… all of it could be taken away from me in a heartbeat. My budding law career wiped out before it even had a chance to start.
No, thank you.
“Wait here,” Julia shouts over the thud of the music as we step inside. She grips my shoulder.
“I’ll be right back.”
I watch her sashay her way to the bar and smirk. She does this way more often than I do, which is fine by me since she’s the one with the fake ID. It wouldn’t surprise me if she manages to go the entire night without paying for a single drink. She’s shameless and I love it.
“Here,” she says a moment later, handing me a shot. “Take this first.”
I eye the clear glass. This can’t be good.
