she sighed, annoyed. “I don’t want you to call him back.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, his hazel eyes meeting hers. “I would, you know.”
She hmphed. “I know.”
“Chyna,” he said, looking up at her.
“No, it’s fine. Go into work,” she told him.
“Hey,” he said, pulling his hands out of his pockets, reaching for her. “You’re not going to be angry, are you?”
“No,” she said sullenly, playing the part of the upset girlfriend wonderfully.
“I told you I would call in,” he said, uncrossing her arms and pulling her into him.
“I know,” she began.
“But?”
“But, you’re only doing it because I asked you to.”
Adam looked at her baffled. “Of course, I’m doing it because you asked me to.”
“Do you think I should have to ask?”
she questioned him, frustrated. They had plans tonight. She wanted to spend time with him. Why did it feel like she had to fight her way into that time?
“Chyna, I don’t get you sometimes,” he said, releasing her. “You tell me you don’t want me to go into work, so I tell you I’m going to get out of work. Then, you get angry with me for deciding to get out of work. I can’t win. How do I win?”
She sighed. He had already won.
“I don’t know,” she conceded. She looked down at the ground, hating this conversation as much as he did.
“Well, when you figure it out, will you let me know?” he asked quietly, reaching for his jacket.
“Are you leaving?” she asked, her voice raising an octave.
“I have work,” he reminded her.
“But, you’re leaving now? After we just fought?”
Adam closed his eyes and shook his head. “Did I miss something?”
“You’re not going to have make-up sex with me?” she demanded with a giggle.
She was so getting gypped in this situation.
He burst out laughing. “Am I supposed to?”
She nodded her head adamantly. “Of course.”
“I’ll keep that in mind next time,” he said, still laughing softly to himself. “You astound me sometimes.”
“At least I’m good for something,” she murmured.
“You’re good for everything,” he said, pulling her close again. “And, I’d have make-up sex with you if I had time.”
“Right here? Right now?” she asked, shimmying against him in the middle of the kitchen.
“I like the bedroom. A bit more spacious, don’t you think?” he asked with a goofy grin.
Chyna rolled her eyes.
“How romantic. Do you want me to close the door and turn off the lights, too?”
Adam leaned forward and brushed a kiss on her lips. “Shut up,” he murmured softly. “I never hear any complaining when that door is closed.”
She smiled against his lips. “So, let’s go then.”
“When I get home…or tomorrow,” he amended, clearly thinking it would be a late night.
“Fine,” she groaned before he kissed her again.
“I’ll text you when I’m done,” he said, grabbing his big sketchbook and walking toward the door. “Are you still going out?”
Chyna shrugged as if it was an actual question. She had nothing better to do, and she and Adam had been planning to go out that night anyway. She might as well hit a club while the night was young. Maybe when she was thoroughly sloshed, Adam would be home, and she could jump his bones. It sounded appealing.
“I figured,” he said, wrenching the door open. “Maybe you can meet up with John later tonight. I know he was supposed to be hanging out with some friends from work, but I’m sure he’d like the company.”
“Have you always babied him?”
Chyna asked with a smirk. Really, she wouldn’t mind hanging out with John.
“He’s too busy for many friends, Chyna, and you have all of New York City.”
She shrugged. Point taken . “How will I find this brother of yours?”
“I’ll give him your number. Maybe you can pick him up, so he’ll actually loosen up a bit,” Adam told her.
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll just wait for his call,” she said, pushing down any and every thought she had about his brother.
“Please be safe. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you. You’re far too precious.”
She smiled warmly at his telltale good-bye. “I’ll be as safe as always,” she responded.
His smile caught her right in the gut at his exit, and she remembered why she had fallen so hard for him.
As soon as the door closed, she retreated to her bedroom to change. She stripped out of the navy skirt and sweater she had been wearing all day and pulled on a black minidress over her head. It was sleek and form-fitting. She knew it would draw attention, especially when paired with her favorite leather Manolos.
She didn’t know who was going to be out tonight. It was still too early to find her friends, if she even wanted to call them that. They rarely frequented the clubs until well past midnight. She didn’t care though because she was certain to know someone wherever she went. Either way, she just wished Adam was going with her.
He wasn’t the biggest party animal, but sometimes when she was with him, she didn’t even need it. She could stay home, wrapped up in his arms, watching a movie, and just be.
Throwing her black hair out of her face, she took a deep breath and shut down her brain. This had always been her thing. She had always been the party girl, and she liked that. She wanted to keep it that way.
Chyna continued to shake that feeling as she grabbed her long black wool, belted coat and exited her apartment. She had Carl drive her across town and entered the nightclub. As the pulsing beats hit her full force, she eased back into her persona. The flashing lights and loud music coursed through her veins, and she closed her eyes as she soaked in the sensation of freedom.
A gentleman swept her up to the VIP section a moment later. Soon, she was surrounded by high-end clientele gyrating against one another, and she quickly moved through the mass to the bar.
When she approached, the bartender nodded at her and had two shots of tequila poured before she even had a chance to ask him. She smirked and downed them one after another. How refreshing… A dirty martini landed on the bar next, and she smiled back in thanks. She had earned her bartender’s manners by tipping handsomely. They all appreciated her here, and she appreciated how strong they poured the drinks.