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I couldn’t walk away, it was like I was frozen to the spot.

“Hey!” he greeted as he stopped by my side and leaned in to kiss me on the cheek.

“Hey.” My voice was barely a whisper but I knew he heard me.

“Care to join me outside for a smoke?” he asked.

“Sure.”

What was I, an imbecile that could only give one word answers?

I walked outside—still barefoot because my feet didn’t feel like being squeezed back into my heels—behind James and he held the door open for me to join him in the smoking area. Thankfully it was a smoothly paved area and I could stand there letting the cool concrete soothe my feet. Nobody else was around and it was semi-quiet with the door closed.

“Don’t the dancers need their DJ?” I asked as I took the cigarette he offered.

“I’ve put my playlist on auto-play for a few minutes.”

The smile that lit his face reached his eyes and I saw a sparkle in them. I’d never really paid much attention before, but he had really lovely eyes.

“So, how’s it going? I haven’t seen you in here for a while.”

I lit my cigarette and took a long drag before answering.

“I’m good. I’ve just asked about the job going here.”

I don’t know why I told him that, he might think I was doing it to get closer to him, but I couldn’t take my words back.

“The mixologist job?” he asked, interest laced in his voice.

“Yeah.”

“That’s cool. I might actually get to see more of you.”

“Yeah, it’s a few shifts a week. I’d need to get a sitter for my son, Ayden, but I could use the extra income.”

Why did I tell him that? It seemed like someone had slipped truth serum in my drink every time I spoke to him.

“Do you know anything about cocktails?”

“Nah, I just thought I’d make it up as I go along.”

“Oh. Well, getting the drinks right isn’t easy.”

“Don’t worry about me, I’m good at improvising.”

James looked at me as he smoked his cigarette. I could tell he thought I was serious. I didn’t know whether to keep it up or tell him the truth.

“Well, I hope you get the job. It would be good to see you in the uniform.”

I dug him in the ribs and laughed. I’d seen what Meredith had been wearing. It was a cute little uniform, if a little short and tight for my liking.

“Hot pink and black doesn’t suit everyone, but I can see you pulling it off.”

“Thanks…I think.”

We made small talk as we finished smoking and walked back into Lust. The place was packed to the rafters and I was going to have to squeeze through a lot of sweaty bodies to get back to the girls.

“So, are you ever going to give me your number so I can take you out?” James asked as he took my hand and led me through the labyrinth of people.

“Maybe, I don’t know. You could be a serial killer for all I know.”

“How did you know my secret? I’m a serial killer by day and DJ by night.” His laugh could be heard over the music and I had to admit, I liked the sound.

Instead of walking me to my booth, he took me to the dance floor. He spun me around and put his hands on my hips. He began to sway my hips to the beat and something in me let go and enjoyed the moment. I threw my hands in the air as James pulled my back flush to his chest. We laughed and danced like that for a couple of songs before James took my hand. He led me to his booth and I had to admit to being pretty impressed by his set-up. All the gear he had looked high-tech, like it cost a pretty penny or two. I didn’t touch anything for fear of breaking something.

“Would you like to request a song, madam?” he asked me in a sweet, yet sultry voice.

“Panic,” I said without needing to think.

“Good choice, though I don’t get asked to play much of The Smiths at an ’80s night,” James replied as he found it on his playlist and set it up to play next.

“It was released in the ’80s.” I defended my song choice.

“Yeah—’88, I think,” he replied as he came and stood by my side.

I could smell his cologne and damn if he didn’t smell good. I inhaled deeply and a smile touched my lips.

“I love The Smiths. They made some pretty awesome songs,” I said.

“They sure did. A little sombre mostly, but “Panic” and “Ask” are two of my all-time favourites of theirs.”

“How Soon is Now is one of mine.”

“Another great choice, and another ’80s tune, technically.”

“Panic” began to play and I couldn’t help but sing along. Club-goers were chanting
Hang the DJ
along with the lyrics of the song. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad choice for an ’80s night after all.

Suddenly I felt James’ breath, hot against my neck.

“What is that mesmerising perfume you wear?” he asked, his lips close to my skin.

My throat felt dry, a hair’s breadth closer and his lips would come into contact with my skin. My pulse spiked at the thought and I tried to calm it before answering his question.

“It’s called Decadence by Marc Jacobs.”

“Mmm…it sure smells good.”

“Uh-huh.”

I couldn’t form more coherent words as he had shifted behind me and his chest was almost flush with my back. I was glad it wasn’t the other way round, else he would have felt my heart trying to beat its way out of my ribcage.

“Any other songs you’d like me to play?”

His lips were so close to my ear, I felt his breath heat my already warm skin.

“Back in Black, maybe?” It came out more like a question than an answer. I felt like I was struck dumb, all because he was so close to me.

“Another cool choice. Maybe you should write my set-list for nights like this.”

“I’m not sure my choices would be appreciated by all,” I replied as he moved to set the track to play.

“You’re probably right.”

His laugh echoed around the booth and my knees weakened at the sound. I felt like some silly teenager, but it felt good to be laughing and enjoying myself after moping so long around the house.

“I’m going to grab a drink—can I get you one?” I asked as he came to stand by me once more.

“Sure, that’d be great. A Pepsi would be good.”

“Is that all? No Jack Daniels or Jim Beam in it?”

“Not while I’m working, darlin’.” He rolled the R and it sounded so attractive coming from his lips.

“Oh, sorry. I’ll be back in a few.”

I disappeared from the booth before he could say anything else.

Nicky was at the bar as I approached.

“Hey, where have you been hiding?” she asked as I sidled up next to her.

“Just hanging out in the DJ booth.”

“Oh, I should’ve known.”

She gave me a knowing smile. She seemed to think my resolve was weakening and maybe she was right. Maybe a drink with James was just what I needed.

“Whatever. Sorry for leaving you and Jade.”

“That’s okay, but maybe you can request a song or two for us to dance to. You’re going back up there, aren’t you?”

“I am.”

I wasn’t going to get into a conversation with her about James or dating in general.

“Then get him to play Alannah Myles or something.”

Nicky paid for her drinks and moved to let me get to the bar. Red served me and smiled sweetly at me. I took a good look at her uniform and was less and less sure I could pull it off. She looked good, with ear stretchers or whatever the proper name for them is. She had a scaffolding piercing like me, then whereas my lip was pierced underneath, she had a Madonna piercing. I could also see ink on her neck, though I wasn’t close enough to make out what it was clearly.

I grabbed mine and James’ drinks and walked back to the booth. “She” began to play and I smiled, remembering mine and James’ conversation about this very song the last time I had been at Lust.

***

“Any last requests?” James asked as he began to wind the evening to a close.

“Umm…”

I couldn’t think of anything I wanted him to play. The night had been full of great songs. We’d sang along, laughed, and even danced. I’d been back to hang out with the girls so they didn’t think I’d ditched them, but now I was back in the DJ booth.

“Sorry, never heard of a song called
Umm
before.”

James laughed at me and I poked my tongue out at him. He set up whatever song he’d chosen to be last, then he turned back to me and held out his hand.

“Would you care to dance?”

My heart raced and my hands trembled. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.

“Sure.”

I held out my hand and smiled.

“If Only for One Night” began to play as we reached the dance floor. I swear I could have melted. What girl doesn’t love Luther Vandross?

James held me close as he swayed me in time to the song. He had one hand on the small of my back and the other held my hand. It felt good to be held, but I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of betrayal in my mind. It wasn’t normal to feel like this after the end of a marriage, surely? Maybe James was a rebound thing. I didn’t have the time or inclination to find out. A dance was just a dance, after all. It wasn’t like I was breaking my vows.

We danced until the song ended and then he led the way back to the DJ booth.

“Thank you for the dance.” His voice was soft and sweet. I felt butterflies take flight in my stomach as a smile lit his face from ear to ear.

“It was my pleasure.”

“I assure you, the pleasure was all mine.”

Was he always so sweet or was he just saying the right thing to get me into bed? I didn’t know, but at that moment, I didn’t much care.

***

The beeping of an incoming message woke me from a deep sleep, where my dreams had been a mixture of bitter and sweet.

Unknown number: Hope you do well with your improvisation this morning. Xx

I rubbed my tired eyes and read the message once more. I didn’t recognise the number it came from. But the only person I had told about ‘improvising’ was James. But how could he have my number? I never gave it to him. I tapped out a reply:

Anna: James?

It wasn’t long before I got a reply.

Unknown number: The one and only! Xx

How he’d gotten my number I didn’t know and I didn’t know how to feel about the fact that he had it.

Anna: How did you get my number?

My phone beeped again.

James: I dialled my number from it while you were getting those drinks last night. Xx

I checked my dialled numbers list and saw he was telling the truth.

Anna: Well that wasn’t an invasion of privacy or anything.

James: Sorry. I just wanted your number. I guess I should’ve waited until you gave it to me. Xx

Anna: Who says I was going to give it to you?

James: You would have caved eventually. I just saved us both time. Xx

Anna: Pretty sure of yourself there, Mr DJ.

James: No, I just know that we have chemistry. Xx

Anna: Well, I can’t argue there but I have to go. If I don’t get to my trial on time, I’ll be fired instead of hired.

James: Like I said, good luck. Maybe I’ll swing by and try out the cocktails. You need a guinea pig to test them on, after all. Xx

Anna: Please don’t. I’ll probably mess up if you’re watching over my shoulder.

James: Okay. Cocktails are for girls anyway. :P

The sexist pig. He even had the nerve to end the text with an emoji with its tongue out.

Anna: Oh, is that so? Well I wouldn’t want your manhood to take a knock. :P

James: Maybe I’ll see you in Lust one night? Or maybe you’ll let me take you out? Xx

Anna: Hmm…if I get the job, I’ll be sure to bring a cocktail to your booth.

James: Can it be all pink and girly? Xx

Anna: Sure thing! See you later.

I got up and ready before heading out to my trial with Red. Hopefully I’d get the job and then I could make James a pink cocktail every shift. That would teach the sexist little shit.

***