He glances at the large clock above the door and begins his lecture the moment the second hand hovers over the three. “Good afternoon. I trust that everyone is focused and ready to finish out the week with some excellent shots for The Philadelphia Story Production. I’m assuming that each of you have worked out your ultimate goal for this project.” He glances around the room questioningly with his eyes.
Daniella’s phone pings loudly from her purse and she’s provided with an impressive scowl from her grumpy professor. She flashes a sympathetic expression in his direction as she frantically digs in her purse to silence the disruption.
Whoops! She’ll most likely hear about that after class.
She glances at the screen and finds replies from both Eliza and Sarah.
Sarah: WTF? Daniella is actually going out on a Friday night! What gives?
Eliza: Who the hell cares! Let’s seize this opportunity before she changes her mind!
Sarah: LOL! You’re right. Yes, let’s go out to Papa’s tonight. Wooohooooo!
Once Professor Wallace starts lecturing again, she discreetly texts them both back.
Daniella: You girls are crazy. I’m game. See you after class :)
Class was boring and her professor spent most of his time droning on and on about crap she already knows. Daniella used the time to jot notes down about her plans for the upcoming project with the theatre production. She can hardly contain her excitement for the plan she has laid out. This project will be a nice addition to her portfolio that will hopefully guarantee her spot in a graduate program at a prestigious college.
She is praying she gets into Berkeley. It’s her ultimate dream, her ultimate goal. She would lose her mind if that dream came true. She’s given up on a lot of social activities for this dream, and she doesn’t regret one second of it. Her financial situation could ultimately prevent her from accomplishing everything she’s dreamed of, but Daniella has already decided that she will find a way.
She’s not going to let anything stop her.
And then, once graduate school comes, hopefully she’ll be eligible for more student loans.
After a few more classes and some much needed time in the library to finish up a paper for her mass communications class, she heads back to the apartment. It’s Friday night, and for the first time in a long time, Daniella is ready to go out and enjoy some time with her best friends.
Their apartment is small, but it’s enough. Three bedrooms, one shared bathroom, a small kitchen, and living room. There’s not much to it, but it’s home. Plus it’s conveniently located near campus and downtown Houston. Daniella isn’t a huge fan of honkey-tonk bars, but the nightlife near the university offers up some eclectic coffee shops, bars, and nightclubs that are more her speed. It’s hard to believe that a girl who was raised near cornstalks and cattle isn’t a fan of country music. Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum, Reba McIntyre, and Carrie Underwood are not her kind of music. It’s not that she doesn’t think these artists are talented; they’re just not her style. She’s more of an alternative, indie rock kind of chick. The Neighbourhood, Arctic Monkeys, Young The Giant, The Black Keys are more her speed.
She drops her keys on the table beside the door and heads into the kitchen. Eliza and Sarah are already popping the cork from a bottle of wine.
“Daniella! You’re finally home!” Sarah exclaims with a slight slur after she takes a sip from her generous glass of wine.
“Hey, Sarah,” she responds with a chuckle. “I see how it is… You bitches are starting without me.” She adds a dramatic pout for good measure.
“Oh, get over yourself!” Eliza hoots. “Here.” She hands Daniella a glass. “Drink up, Danny girl! We’re goin’ out tonight!”
Daniella chuckles and takes a sip of the cool, refreshing, mind-numbing deliciousness. “White Zin?” she questions with a raise of her eyebrow.
“Hell yes! We’re going classy tonight!” Sarah shouts as she puts her iPod in the stereo dock. “What shall we listen to while we get ready?”
“Anything but country,” Daniella demands.
“I swear you are the only girl in Texas who doesn’t listen to country music,” Eliza admonishes with a smirk.
She shrugs her shoulders in indifference. “All right, I’m taking a shower.” Daniella raises her wine glass in the air. “Don’t worry. This is coming with me. I’ll have it finished in no time.”
“That’s my girl!” Sarah hoots over her shoulder.
Eliza grins in her direction. “About damn time you loosened up and enjoyed a night out with us.”
Daniella makes quick work of her shower after finishing the liberal pour of White Zin. Yeah, it’s cheap-ass wine, but it tastes fantastic and seems to be going down smoothly tonight. She chooses her favorite biker boots, a tight black pencil skirt, and a cleavage-revealing tank that ends just below her rib cage. The tattoo she’s managed to hide from her conservative family is on display. Daniella got the tat the day she turned twenty-one as a birthday present to herself.
A dream catcher is inked in black and white on her ribcage, and it’s accented by beautiful feathers that hang down towards her hip. Several small birds fly out from one of the feathers and go across the middle of her back up to the opposite shoulder.
She clearly didn’t go small with her first ink. She went pretty damn big. The piece took several hours and it hurt like a bitch, but it was worth it. The tattoo is her freedom; it represents all of the things she plans on doing with her life and the fact that she’s not going to let anyone or anything stand in her way.
For once in her life, she chooses to let her long brunette locks hang down past her shoulders in a wavy mess of curls. She keeps her makeup minimal with just a little mascara and lip gloss. Daniella is a less-is-more kind of girl and wouldn’t be caught dead with a face caked full of makeup. Her brown eyes stand out like saucers and she refuses to draw any more attention to them with eye shadow and eyeliner. She strides into the living room and pours another glass of wine while Eliza and Sarah continue getting ready.
She’s savoring a third glass when they stride out of their bedrooms.
Eliza’s eyes go wide in surprise; she lets out a low whistle. “Lookin’ good, Danny girl. Lookin’ good.”
Sarah smirks in approval when she eyes her best friend’s current getup.
“Come on before I change my mind,” Daniella cajoles jokingly, and they both chuckle in response.
They head out of the apartment and walk in the direction of Papa’s Pub. The bar is only a few blocks from their place, and it’s a popular spot for college kids to hang out on the weekends. Especially Friday nights. Friday nights at Papa’s Pub are kind of legendary. The drink specials are outrageous, and no one has a clue how the owners survive financially. They’re practically giving away alcohol to college coeds.
All three girls stride through the worn-down, wooden bar door after the doorman checks their IDs and gives them an appreciative once-over. Men are so obvious. They receive several looks their way as they walk through the crowded bar.
These three women make quite the scene.
Eliza is gorgeous with her long blond hair and curvy figure accented in tight skinny jeans that are so form-fitting that someone will probably have to peel them off of her. Her stilettos add a little height to her otherwise shorter frame. Sarah is more wickedly sassy. Her style leans towards short dresses and her favorite cowgirl boots. Her pixie auburn hair and bright jade eyes are downright stunning. Although five foot four isn’t considered tall, Daniella is the tallest out of the group. Her years of ballet have done wonders for her body. She’s lean and toned in all the right places, and tonight, she feels sexy by embracing it for once.
They start the night with a pitcher of beer and a round of Washington Apples. The house band has a bluesy-rock style and Daniella is thoroughly enjoying the raspy voice of the lead singer. They find an empty high-top table and make themselves comfortable. While Daniella bobs her head to the music and enjoys her beverage, s
he finds Sarah and Eliza giving her incredulous looks. Her chair dancing comes to an immediate halt as she slightly cocks her head to the side, gauging their expressions. “What?” she asks with a small defensive tone to her voice.
“All right, spit it out. What’s going on with you? First of all, you’re dressed in something other than jeans and a tank top, and secondly, you’re at a bar…on a Friday night.” Eliza stares expectantly at her, waiting for a response.
How in the hell is she supposed to respond to that question?
Daniella shrugs her shoulders and buys some time by taking another sip of beer.
Sarah starts to tap her fingers impatiently on the table. “Seriously, what’s going on Daniella?”
She looks away from their scrutinizing glares before hesitantly bringing her attention back to them. “Nothing serious. Just some shit that I’ll eventually get figured out.”
Eliza gestures for her to continue with an impatient hand.
Sarah nudges Daniella with her shoulder. “Come on, Danny. Just tell us.”
“Well…” She pauses as a heavy breath escapes her lungs. “I’m not sure how I’m going to pay for this semester’s tuition. Actually, all of this year’s tuition.”
“Shit,” they both say simultaneously, and a small chuckle escapes Daniella’s throat. She’s amused by the fact that these two spend far too much time together.
“I just need to find another part-time job to get some extra cash flow. I’m sure I can find something,” she tells them with fake confidence.
“What about your parents?” Eliza asks.
“They’re barely making ends meet right now as it is. There’s no way I’m letting them know about this. They’ll feel terrible.”
Sarah starts to speak and Daniella immediately holds a hand in the air, effectively stopping her. “And don’t even say Bobby or Billy. There is no way in hell I’m asking them for money. They’ve worked hard for everything they’ve earned and I refuse to take anything from either of my brothers. I’m not their responsibility,” she adds with finality in her tone.
“So what are you going to do? Where in the hell are you going to get another job?”
“And how are you going to fit a second job into your already super-busy schedule?”
Sarah and Eliza start to overwhelm her with concerned questions.
“Can we just forget about this issue tonight? I want to hang with my two best gals and enjoy a night out on the town. I’m fully prepared to get into some trouble.” Daniella shoots a wink in their direction and goes back to enjoying the house music.
Eliza laughs loudly and nods her head in agreement. “All right. Looks like we’re in for a fantastic night!” She slams her hand down on the table with enthusiasm, causing Sarah and Daniella to grin in response.
For this small sliver of time, everything will be right with the world. Daniella isn’t going to worry about school or finances or anything. She’s just going to enjoy herself.
Enjoy hanging out with her friends.
Enjoy being young.
The house band finishes their set and two twenty-something guys sidle up to their table. They’re attractive in a frat boy kind of way, and it’s obvious that Eliza and Sarah know them. They hug both guys with huge grins on their faces.
Cheers to the fact that Daniella is going to be the third wheel tonight.
“Daniella, this is Toby and Frankie,” Sarah introduces.
“Nice to meet you,” she offers with a pleasant smile.
“So this is the famous Daniella who always refuses to go out with you two?” Toby inquires with a smirk as he slides the sleeves of his blue collared shirt up his arms. He’s working the preppy look, and Daniella wouldn’t be surprised if he also sports boat shoes and pastels in his spare time. Not her type at all.
“That’s me,” she replies with a sarcastic tone, and Eliza kicks her barstool with a sharp stiletto. Daniella immediately grins back at her friend’s annoyed expression.
In a matter of a few seconds, the two girls manage to have an entire conversation without speaking a single word. Men really don’t understand how ridiculously intuitive women are, especially when they’re around each other. They have ways of communicating that men could never fathom or comprehend.
“What?”
“You know what.”
“I was trying to be nice.”
“Just because he’s looks like a frat boy doesn’t mean you need to pull out the sarcasm.”
“All right, all right. I’ll be nice to Mr. Boat Shoes and his preppy friend.”
Their nonverbal conversation is only witnessed by Sarah. She watches them with hilarity in her eyes, hiding her giggle behind a fake cough. The Frat Boys don’t notice that an entire conversation about them just occurred and not a single word was spoken.
“So, ladies,” Frankie says seductively. “What are your plans for this evening?”
“We’re looking to get into some trouble,” Daniella offers without batting an eye.
“What kind of trouble?” Toby questions with intrigue as he runs his hand through his curly brown hair. Curly hair on guys doesn’t really do it for Daniella either. That’s one benefit Sarah and Eliza get from having a friend like her. There is no way in hell they’ll ever find themselves fighting over the same guy. Her taste is the complete opposite of their tastes. She likes her men to be…well, men. Muscular, husky voices and piercing eyes are at the top of her preferred traits list. She’s attracted to guys who are a little rough around the edges, a hint of wickedness that can only be resolved in the bedroom.
Someone like Penn Wilder.
Where in the hell did that come from? God, it’s been over a month since she saw him at that circus of a wedding. She shakes her head at her mind’s ridiculousness, trying to push the crazy thoughts aside. Honestly, it’s a damn shame she hasn’t exercised her bedroom skills in a while. The last time she hooked up with someone was… Shit… It’s been so long that she’s not even willing to openly admit just how long it’s really been.
“I’d say we’re open to suggestions,” Eliza adds as she gazes into Toby’s eyes.
He smirks back at her with a knowing look. “We were going to head out somewhere with a few of our buddies. It should be a good time. You interested?”
“Somewhere? Where exactly is somewhere?” Sarah questions with curiosity.
Toby smiles as he tucks a piece of her hair behind her ear. “We can’t tell. It’s a surprise. Our buddy Devon just got back from Iraq and we’re prepared to show this Marine a celebratory night out.”
“My brother just got back from his fourth tour in Afghanistan six months ago. He’s stationed in Germany now. I’m game. Let’s show the Marine a good time. He fucking deserves it!” Daniella raises her glass in the air and proceeds to down the rest of her beer.
Eliza laughs and Sarah’s brow shoots up in surprise.
They are both a little shocked that Daniella is already a little more than buzzed, but that was the point of the night. She wanted to get drunk and enjoy herself. And that is exactly what she’s going to do—what she is already doing.
“You ladies can ride with us then. We’ve got a party bus for the night.” Toby holds his hand out for Eliza and she takes it willingly while Daniella follows behind them in slight annoyance. She’s having a hard time understanding what her friend sees in this guy, but she is more than aware that it’s not her place to judge.
Daniella decides she really needs to turn off bitch mode for a hot minute and stop being so judgmental by his douche-y attire. She’s drunk. Yeah, that’s a safe bet. Whenever her normally slightly bitchy side becomes overtly bitchy and she’s mentally haranguing people for their choice in clothing attire, she knows it’s time to take it down a notch.
“Who did you bring with you?” a voice calls from the back of the bus as the girls step inside. There are at least ten guys sitting around drinking beer, and Daniella’s eyes find a handsome brown-eyed gaze staring back at her. He’s hot in a c
lean-cut kind of way.
“Ladies, please make yourselves comfortable.” Toby gestures with his hand as he takes a seat. “This is Eliza, Sarah, and Daniella,” he says, introducing them to the rowdy group. He continues to tell them everyone’s names. Daniella makes her way towards the back and finds a seat near the guy with the brown eyes.
“Hi. I’m Devon,” he says with a sly smile. “Daniella, right?”
She nods and grins back at him. She chose a spot right beside him, their thighs now touching from close proximity. “So is this party for you?”
He chuckles, and she immediately notices his full lips. “Yeah. These rowdy assholes decided that I need a celebratory night out since I just got back from Iraq.”
“I had a feeling this was your party. You’re the only clean-cut, non-frat-looking guy here.”
He lets out a deep baritone laugh. “Is that so? Do I look like I’ve got Marine written across my forehead or something?”
“Pretty much. The buzz cut gave you away.” She coyly looks up at him, assessing his facial expression. He’s a little intoxicating. Attractive in a boy-next-door kind of way. “So where are we headed?” she asks as her eyes peer out the window, watching the street lights pass by as the bus heads out of the parking lot of Papa’s Pub.
He shrugs. “I have no idea. They won’t tell me anything. My guess is a strip club.”
She laughs in response and her mind wanders to thoughts of Penn. Strip club owner extraordinaire. He’s definitely had his fair share of experiences with strippers. Daniella finds herself a little jealous of all the stupid ‘exotic dancers’ who get the pleasure of seeing him on a daily basis.
Southern Seduction Page 6
