Page 59 of A Simple Reminder
Liam asked me to go out tonight. His friend just opened the hottest new club in town,The Black Pearl. Apparently, everyone who’s anyone is dying to be on the guest list, especially the girls at my school. But I told him I needed to study. And yet, here I am, staring at my books, not absorbing a single word.
Four more weeks and I’ll be back home. By then, my dad will be back from rehab too, and Liam? Liam will stay here.
What am I doing? I should be spending as much time as I can with him while I still can. I’m already acing my classes. I can study tomorrow.
Before I know it, I’m up and out of bed, tossing my books aside. My decision is made. I need to see him. I practically jump into the shower, washing away the day, the stress, and the thoughts of exams. I scrub fast, eager to get ready. When I step out, I stand in front of the mirror, my damp blonde hair clinging to my skin. Okay, now what? What's the look? What am I going to wear?
I decide on an old Hollywood look—bold red lips, winged eyeliner that makes my blue eyes pop, and bouncy waves that fall perfectly around my shoulders.
Rummaging through my wardrobe, I pull out an emerald green dress. The deep green stands out against my tanned skin, and the slit running up my thigh is daring. I smooth the fabric over my hips, a smile tugging at my lips. Liam is going to love this. I hope.
I call for a taxi and make my way toThe Black Pearl.But when I get there, my confidence takes a hit. The line stretches around the block, full of people clamoring to get in. Shit. How am I going to get past all these people? But I’ve already come this far. I can’t turn back now.
Straightening my back, I walk right up to the entrance, ignoring the stares from people in line. The bouncer gives me a quick once-over. “There’s a line, miss.”
“I’m on the list,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. I’m getting deja vu. This is just like that first night I met Liam.
“Under what name?”
“Liam Ayoub. I’m his plus one. Sophie Anderson.”
The bouncer’s expression barely changes as he scans his clipboard, then nods. “Javier!” he calls over one of the staff. “Show her to Liam Ayoub’s table.”
He steps aside, and I let out a small breath of relief. That was much easier than the first time I met him.
Javier appears and gestures for me to follow him inside. The club is luxurious, the kind of place designed to make you feel like a VIP just by stepping inside. The lighting is dim, casting soft shadows across the sleek black interior. Music pulses through the space, wrapping around me like a heartbeat, and the scent of expensive perfume and cologne fills the air.
He leads me to a grand staircase, the black marble steps sparkling under the lights. My heels click as I climb the stairs behind him. Each step I take, my nerves ratchet up a notch. Why am I so nervous? I can feel my heart beating in time with the music, my pulse racing.
What if Liam’s here with his friends, and I ruin it? Am I crashing his night?
But then I remind myself: It’s Liam. He invited me. He’ll be happy to see me.
Still, with every step, the nerves build. My excitement turns into something more. I like this man much more than I want to admit. Honestly, I’m falling for him. I’m falling so hard, and the idea freaks me out.
Am I in love?I think I’m very close to it.
We reach the top of the stairs, and Javier leads me to the left, past velvet curtains, into the VIP section. The crowd thins here, but the air is thicker, more exclusive. I hold my breath as we walk through. Then, finally, he stops in front of a large booth.
And there he is.
Liam.
But his beautiful face does not light up with a smile as it usually does when he sees me. Instead, he looks caught. My gaze drifts from his face to the scene around him, and my heart sinks.
He’s not with any of the friends I know. My eyes drift to the woman perched on his lap, barely wearing anything that could be considered clothing. His hand is thrown over the back of the sofa, relaxed, as if he’s entirely in his element, detached and unbothered by the chaos around him.
What the hell is this?
My chest tightens as I take in the rest—the black glass table in front of him. Three white lines. Scattered euro bills.
My heart stops.
The realization crashes down on me, and I feel the ground tilt beneath my feet. My heart slams against my chest as everything starts to blur. Just hours ago, I promised my dad. I swore I wouldn’t choose someone like him—someone who could lead me down the same path. And now this.
I feel sick. My stomach twists painfully as my mind races. Liam knows about my dad. He knows how I feel about drugs. I told him everything, laid my past bare, every scar, every fear. And yet here he is, surrounded by everything I despise.
He told me he didn’t dothis. He said he didn’t care for it. He lied. For what? To get into my pants? My heart? The betrayal burns, sharp and unrelenting, as the memories of every word he said play mockingly in my mind.
