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Thalia
What do you do when your best friend—and probably everyone else around you—seems to have their life perfectly put together, while yours feels like it’s falling apart?
Well, yeah. You get drunk. Or at least you try to.
I’ve been in this club for almost two hours now, balancing on that thin line between tipsy and still making sense. Jessica and Rita, my coworkers, are having the time of their lives. And why wouldn’t they? They’re young, they’ve got decent jobs, and it’s a Saturday night in a buzzing club. That’s exactly what they’re supposed to do. So why the hell am I not having fun?
Ever since Sierra sorted out her life and built that perfect little family with Nick, it feels like something is missing. And no, it’s not just about her—not entirely. Of course I miss her when I go out, like tonight, and she’s not here beside me. But I get it. She has other priorities now, and we still see each other almost every day. What I miss is that feeling of belonging. That sense of home.
The house I share with Theo is beyond stunning. Honestly, all the guys built insane places—pure luxury, like something out of glossy magazines. And yet, it doesn’t feel like mine.
And Theo? God, where do I even start? He’s breathtaking. Curly hair, long enough to grab when things get heated, piercing blue eyes, a sharp jawline, kissable lips—everything you could possibly want in a man.
But there’s the thing. To the outside world, I’m his girlfriend. Everyone sees us that way.
In private…
I glance at my coworkers, hoping to distract myself. Jessica winks at me and says, “Come on, Thalia. Don’t just stand there, dance a little.”
“Not sure my coordination’s up to your level,” I reply with a smirk.
“Please, you’re just dramatic,” Rita adds, smirking maliciously. “Besides, it’s Saturday. Time to forget the problems for a bit.”
I laugh softly, shaking my head, but the spiral of my thoughts is cut short by sudden commotion to my right. My eyes move over to see a crowd of men—and my breath hitches as I realize I know half of them. Sierra’s brothers and Nick’s brothers are all here.
A quick scan tells me Nick isn’t with them, which makes sense. He’s probably at home with Sierra and their little girl. I have no idea what’s going on, but it’s obvious they’re celebrating something. They’ve taken over the VIP section at the back of the club, and the energy is chaotic. Bottles upon bottles of alcohol line the tables, alongside trays of snacks and desserts. Dancers move with practiced seduction, performing excessively for them.
Trying not to make it obvious, I look closer. That’s when my eyes find Ethan—Nick’s oldest brother, Sierra’s brother-in-law. He doesn’t notice me. He’s caught up in conversation with a man I don’t recognize, his piercing gaze locked on him as he explains something in that characteristic way of his—serious, cold, yet strangely magnetic. He never gives off the impression of being easygoing; you never feel safe to just approach him, to risk interrupting him. That distance keeps people away, which is probably an advantage when you’re the CEO of a massive company.
Even though he hasn’t seen me, just the sight of him is enough to make my knees weak, my breath stall for a few seconds, and my heart pound wildly. God, why is it so hot in this club?
He’s dressed in tailored beige trousers and a crisp white shirt, unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves rolled up to his forearms. His chestnut-brown hair is a tousled mess, like either he—or someone else—has been running their hands through it all evening. Suede brown leather shoes complete the look. And the whole package… God, it looks so good it makes you want to…
Nope. We’re not going there, Thalia.
Before my thoughts spiral again, I turn back to the bar and signal the bartender for another drink. He slides a gin and tonic across the counter—classic, simple.
I lift my glass, take a slow sip, and look toward the dance floor where my coworkers are dancing like crazy. Jessica catches my eye and waves me over. Ignoring the nagging urge to stay here and keep low-key stalking a certain someone, I tip the glass back, down the rest in one go, and make my way toward them.
After more than two hours, we’re all too exhausted to keep going. We’ve danced, taken shot after shot, laughed until our stomachs hurt, and strengthened the bonds of our friendships.
When Sierra moved from New York to London to be with Nick, I realized there was nothing really holding me back, and that I wanted more than anything to be here too, close to her. Moving to London was about Sierra, yes, but also about starting over, creating my own life in a place where I didn’t know anyone besides her and the guys.
Given all my experience, I managed to land a job as a manager at a major event planner company. My dream is to one day open my own business, but I still have debts to pay off. Living with Theo helps a lot—he covers absolutely everything: food, drinks, bills, you name it. I even tried to give him a few months’ rent for a normal apartment—there’s no way I could afford the kind of house we live in—but the first time he laughed and pushed my money back to me, and the second he got mad, threatening never to speak to me again if I didn’t stop.
So for now, my money goes toward the debts I still have, the little essentials every woman needs, and hopefully, someday, I’ll be able to start saving to make my dream a reality.
“Jessica’s nowhere to be found,” Rita suddenly says, panicked. “We went to the bathroom together, and when I came out, she wasn’t anywhere.”
“She has to be around here somewhere,” Andrew replies. “Let’s split into pairs and look for her.”
Everyone groups and sets off, but Andrew and I stay at the bar for a few more seconds. That’s when I hear giggles and cheerful screams coming from the VIP area. I turn toward it but don’t see anything in the open space, so I start walking that way, hearing Andrew follow behind me.
Alongside the thick smoke that blinds you and the strong scent of alcohol and cigarettes, there’s a pleasant perfume in the air—like a subtle reminder that we’ve entered the world of the wealthy, not the usual club zone where normal people hang out.
All the way to the left is a slightly ajar door, and from it come all the sounds that immediately catch my attention.
