Chapter Five

ELENA POV

Almost immediately a slizzy-looking guy slipped into the stool next to me and leaned so close I could smell his cologne.

"Something like that," I said, turning back to my drink.

He didn't take the hint instead he leaned closer, his shoulder brushing mine. "You're too pretty to be sitting here all alone. Where's your boyfriend?"

"Don't have one."

"Even better." He grinned and signaled the bartender. "Another round for the lady. Whatever she's having."

"I didn't ask for a drink."

"It's on me. No strings attached." He pushed the shot toward me, his fingers brushing mine. "Just two strangers being friendly."

I should have walked away. Every instinct I had was screaming at me to get up and find Tessa, but the tequila had made my brain sluggish.

And a part of me didn't want to be rude so I stayed.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Not interested."

"Come on. Don't be cold."

"I don't want to talk."

He laughed like I'd told a joke. "You're feisty. I like that." He placed his hands on my knees under the bar table. "What's the matter? You got a man waiting at home or something?"

"I have a fiancé who's sleeping with my sister. So no, no man is waiting at home. And even if there was, it wouldn't be you."

He lets out whistled. "Damn. That's cold."

"Yeah."

"So what are you doing about it?"

"I'm drinking."

"Okay…..Good…. I could help with that" He pushed the shot toward me again. "To shitty exes."

I hesitated, then I picked it up and threw it back.

It burned less than the others or maybe I was just numb to it.

"So," he said, sliding closer, placing his hands on my thighs this time. "You got somewhere to be after this?"

"I'm here with my friend."

"Your friend's not here right now." He looked around dramatically. "I don't see anyone. Just you and me."

I stood up, nearly knocking over my stool. "I need to find her."

"Wait, hold on…" He grabbed my wrist."Don't leave yet. We were just getting to know each other."

"Let go of me."

"Relax. I'm not gonna hurt you,Why you gotta be so cold? I'm just trying to be nice."

"You're not being nice. You're being a creep."

His smile flickered. "Wow. Okay. Bitch."

He let go and I stumbled back toward the crowd.

Suddenly everywhere became hot too hot making my skin prickle and I suddenly felt dizzy

grabbed the edge of a nearby table to steady myself.

What the hell?

The room was spinning and the music sounded like it was coming from underwater.

Shit. Shit, shit, shit.

Behind me, I heard his voice again. "Hey! Hey, where you going?"

He was following me.

I didn't turn around, I just forced my legs to move, my breath coming in short, sharp gasps.

"Come on, don't be like that. I just want to talk."

I try to move faster, away from him but it felt like I was too slow.

I rounded a corner and spotted a flash of silver sequins.

Tessa. She was leaning against a pillar, checking her phone.

"Tess," I gasped, grabbing her arm. "Tess."

"Ellie? What happened? You're burning up."

"Hey, I've got her. She's with me." The man said, grabbing my arm.

Tessa shoved him away "The hell you are. She's my friend and we came here together. How the hell is she with you?"

The man raised his hands in mock surrender, took a step back,"Fine, have it your way" he said with a smirk that made my skin crawl, then he turned and disappeared into the crowd without looking back

Tessa tries to go after him but I hold her back "I feel weird."

"Weird how?"

"Hot and dizzy. I don't know." I shook my head, which made the room spin faster. "I just want to sit down somewhere quiet."

Tessa's eyes scanned the crowd behind me. "Did he give you a drink?"

"I had a shot he bought for me."

"Ellie—"

"I didn't want to be rude." Even as I said it, I knew how stupid it sounded. "Can we just go? Please?"

She didn't argue."Come on, we're getting you out of here," she said, wrapping her arm around my waist and pulling me toward the back of the club where a sign read hotel.

"I'll book us a room so you can lie down for a bit, okay??" I just nodded in response.

"I'm going to find him later and kill him." She muttered under her breath.

"Well, not tonight right now I just want to lay down," I said.

The elevator ride was a blur of mirrored walls and soft music and Tessa's hand gripping mine.

She typed on her phone with her free hand, frowning at the screen.

"The app isn't working," she said. "I have to go back down to the front desk to pay. The room is 412."

"Don't leave me alone."

"I'll be back soon….in five minutes…. ten tops, okay?"

"Tessa—"

"Five minutes, Ellie. I