Until The Lies Were Ours

CHAPTER 2

The two girls were perched at the bar. Nova whispered their order into the bartender’s ear and his face lit up with a naughty smirk. The drinks came and with a sip, Ivorie felt a burst of flavors on her tongue. Maybe indulging for just one night wasn’t such a bad idea.

The wine tasted like mischief on Nova’s tongue. She scanned the room with her eyes like a tigress seeking her next prey. Her eyes landed on a handsome gentleman in the corner.

“I know what your problem is, Rie”, Nova said with a smirk.

“I have just one problem?” Ivorie laughed lightly as she propped her elbows on the bar. She could feel herself getting a little loose.

“You’re always waiting for love. Hell, you’re stuck waiting for the kind your parents had. You want the kind of love that sweeps you off your feet and sends you to Mars. Sweet, sure, but babe this is Manhattan— the stars are drunk and the moon is in therapy”. Nova said coyly.

“I believe in fate, Nov. I want romance. I want the kind of love that sweeps me off my feet. You know what I mean?”

“Are you sure you’re into men? Cause if you aren’t, I have some of my girls asking if you’re on the market. You think you can pretend? I’ve caught you stealing glances at my ass when I’m getting dressed up, you sly—”

Ivorie giggled a little too loudly.

“Chill, Nov. You have an ass tattoo the size of Texas! Who wouldn’t stare at that? Besides, I just haven’t really met someone that takes my breath away. I still believe in romance, Nov. I trust fate to—“

“Fine. Then let’s test fate, shall we?”, Nova replied with a wink.

“Let’s make a pact—here, now. If you’ve ever really considered me your friend, you’d do this one thing”, Nova started, treading lightly into emotional blackmail. “First man who walks up to you at this bar, you say ‘yes’”.

Ivorie arched a brow

“Yes to what?”

“A drink? A dance? A date? Destiny?”, Nova added with a serious look.

Sensing the air of seriousness, Ivorie set down her glass on the bar for the first time since she started sipping her wine. How many glasses had she had? 2? 3? Oopsie. She tried forcing a serious look on her face but she could feel her lips smiling without her permission. She was beginning to feel all warm and fuzzy inside. For the first time in a while, she felt light. It was refreshing.

“I can’t just say yes to anyone, Nov. That’s crazy!” Ivorie responded.

“Babe, I’ve been thinking about this and it’s just just the perfect solution for your situation — say yes. For once Rie, say yes to the next man that walks into your life.” Nova pleaded. “You know the best part about it, fate decides. Don’t you trust the stars to send you the perfect person for you?” Nova added.

“Okay, fine! But I’m not doing this alone”, Ivorie responded with a glint in her eyes. You’re not the only crazy one, Nova.

“What? I should say yes too? Oh honey, you know that’s my best word—yes, yes, yes!”, Nova said as she shimmied her shoulders excitedly.

“Nope! You’re also gonna make me a pact. But yours is to say ‘No’ to any man who walks up to you in this bar. We’re switching the roles for one night, missy.” Ivorie added felling victorious.

“What? You don’t think you can handle that?”, Ivorie asked sarcastically, the glint never leaving her eyes as she watched Nova grimace and squirm in her seat. “Then I guess I won’t be saying yes—”

“Okay, fine!” Nova sighed feeling defeated. She had her eyes on that handsome man across the room. They had shared a heated eye contact some minutes ago. Goodbye handsome stranger, I hope we meet tomorrow though… “I’m doing this for you Rie. The pact is made”, Nova says as she raises her glass.

Clink.

“Okay, I’ll tell you what. Why don’t I go sit at that empty table at the corner while you stay here at the bar?”, Nova said as she stood up and left giving Ivorie no chance to respond.

“Ugh! Must she always get her way?”, Ivorie muttered beginning to feel a little self-conscious. She called the bartender for a refill.

One more glass. That’s the only amount of time I’m giving to whoever wants to come up to me. But if I’m done with it and I’m still here alone, I’ll leave this bar and go back home. The pact is ridiculous anyway. How could I just say yes?

Ivorie was so lost in thought she didn’t notice when someone occupied the seat Nova had just left. Then she felt a firm but gentle tap on her shoulder. Turning to her side, she was met with the most piercing grey eyes she had ever seen. She could get lost in them.

“Hey”

“Hi…” she said lightly as she looked at the lips that made that deep voice that caused a rumble in her tummy with just one word.

“What are you having there?”, he asked as the bartender filled up her glass.

“The elixir of the gods?”, she said as she smiled at the puzzled furrow on his brow.

“Suits you. I’ll have what she’s having”, He added to the bartender never taking his eyes off her.

“I’m Nikolai Thorne”, he said extending his hand.

She placed a soft, dainty palm in his. “Ivorie”, she responded, lost in the specks of gold and brown in his eyes.

“What do you do, Ivorie?”

That question brought back the image of the fire to her tipsy mind. She felt a pang in her chest. He must have noticed the shift in her demeanor. Maybe it was the way her big baby blue eyes started to gloss over, or the way she pouted her full lips slightly. He didn’t talk to women much but he could tell signs of one that was going to cry.

“Have a sip”, he ordered, reminding her of her drink that was beginning to get lonely.

She’s vulnerable. She may be the woman I need. His predator instinct were kicking in. Another instinct kicked in as he watched her bring the glass to her lips— tainted a deep red, they were almost the same shade as the wine she sipped. Those lips…

“Would you like some air?”, he asked as she downed the last sip of her drink.

“Yes… where would we—“

“I got it. Just follow me”, he said as he stood up.

Ivorie glanced around the room and spotted Nova sitting on the same table she sat earlier. So unlike Nova to sit still. Guess she’s taking this pact very seriously. The thought made Ivorie giggle.

“Still coming?”, Nikolai asked, getting a little impatient.

“Yes”, Ivorie replied. The word for the night. She stood up, looking at Nova who was grinning like a Cheshire Cat. She looked like she was really enjoying the show.

“Shall we?”, he whispered in Ivorie’s ears bringing back all her focus to him. She felt a shiver down her spine.

“Yes”, she said in a small voice looking into his eyes.

He placed a hand on the small of her back as they started walking out. Noticing Nova smiling at them, he leaned in again and whispered

“People aren’t places, but I’m sure she feels like home”.

Ivorie stopped in her tracks and looked up at him as he stopped too. She felt weak in her knees and leaned on him. He pulled her in with his arm that was now around her. Their faces were merely inches apart.

Her late dad used to say those exact words to her. Those were his last words to her. Ivorie couldn’t believe her ears. It’s been ten years and now, she was hearing those same words again for the first time.

“Had too much to drink? Are you okay?”

“Yes…”, she responded as she slowly came back to reality. She felt like a thousand pairs of eyes were on her.

“Want to get out of here?”, Nikolai said as he held her hand and started walking out with her.

“Yes…”, that had become the only word on her lips.

Who is this man? Maybe, just maybe, she had decided to trust fate at the right time.

She couldn’t have been more wrong.