Her Elusive Price (Book 2)

Five

Sydney

Fuck me! The embarrassment that’s consuming me is so strong that I wanted so much to disappear into thin air this instant. I can’t believe my roommates kind of put me on the spot there just so they could get into the club a-stat. And the crazy thing is it actually worked. What’s even crazier is the fact that Maddox remembers me. I don’t consider myself a very forgettable person, but with the industry he’s in, he meets a lot of men and women all the time, probably hundreds within a day, so it won’t be surprising if he forgets who’s who. And yet he hey Sydney-ed me just now. And now, I’m left wishing it’s the same with all the producers and directors I meet.

“Umm... hi,” I shyly greeted as he allowed my roommates to pass the front entrance first before placing a hand at the small of my back to lead me inside. “Fancy seeing you here,” he teased speaking really close to my ear his breath fanning the side of my face and you know what? I was expecting to smell a faint scent of a cigarette mixed with whatever flavored gum he chewed on, but nope, it’s deliciously minty fresh all the way. Like shut up, he’s too perfect and I’m wondering if he ever gets morning breath. Okay, I’m getting off track. “Actually, I should be saying the same thing,” I answered smiling as I looked briefly at him. “Yeah? why’s that?” He was now full-on smiling down at me. Good lord... “This is going to sound stereotypical, but I just didn’t peg you as a dancing in the club kind of guy.”

“Oh? and what did you peg me for?” he questioned with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “The bar with a live band goer kind of guy?” I half asked, half answered. “You’re right. This isn’t my usual scene, but you know our bassist Maverick right?” he suddenly asked. “Of course,” I responded with a questioning look that says, how could anyone not know about any of you? “He asked me to meet him here. This club is his newest business venture,” he shrugged nonchalantly and my mouth formed into a perfect O. “He owns this?” I asked looking around to make sure that my roommates haven’t pulled a Houdini on me yet. “Yeah, this is one of five businesses he owns,” he informed as he gently grabbed my elbows to lead me up the stairs.

“Uh, where are we going? I need to find my friends,” I stated as I tried to slightly back away. “That’s them right?” he asked pointing at the two who are now scanning the dance floor from the VIP section of the club and they’re obviously overly thrilled to be hanging out with Maddox Price tonight. I shook my head clearly not pleased with how things turned out. I didn’t want Maddox to think that we’re some girls who’d do just about anything so we could follow him around and leech off of him. “Oh, shoot! Listen, you don’t have to worry about us. I’m just gonna go grab those two real quick and we’ll find our own spot somewhere else,” I told him apologetically.

“With this crowd? Good luck with that,” he smirked grabbing my wrist to lead me to where Shannon and Faith are now sitting while tapping furiously on his phone. As soon as they looked at me I glared at them and mouthed “what the f**k?” which they completely ignored. Go figure. One Spritz Veneziano later, Maverick Knight the dreamboat bassist of Lucid Mantra and apparently entrepreneur has graced us with his company. I thought it was adorable when both of them playfully pulled in for a bro hug as if they haven’t seen each other for months. I blinked a couple of times when he introduced himself because I was trying so damn hard not to fangirl over the two and god, it’s taking so much effort not to gush and lose my s**t.

Faith and Shannon shot up to their feet as soon as he and Maddox broke apart and introduced themselves. I stood behind them as a precaution just in case I might need to pull them away and luckily they were somehow able to get a hold of themselves. “Maverick Knight. Nice to meet you,” he greeted with his deep smooth voice as he extends his hand to shake mine. “Sydney Prescott. Nice to meet you too,” I croaked completely aware that as I said my name he and Maddox were trying so hard not to burst into laughter. Great. I rolled my eyes, held one finger up, pointed it to Maddox, and masked my face with a firm look. “Please don’t,” I huffed, and both their smiles widened. “I wasn’t gonna,” he chuckled raising his arms up in surrender.

I know my name is not the most unique of names and the movie came out a year before I was born, so it’s a bummer that I can’t call dibs on it. My parents kept denying that I was named after the fictional character and that they didn’t even know that such a movie exists, but I don’t buy it. They must have known, especially my dad who’s secretly a fan of Neve Campbell. So, really they could’ve named me Neve, but no, they named me Sydney. And ever since grade school I’ve been asked the line “what’s your favorite scary movie?” over and over. It was funny for a time, but now it’s just overrated.

I took a sip of my third Spritz Veneziano scanning the people grinding against each other and noticed Maddox staring at me. Since Faith and Shannon are engaged in a serious conversation with Maverick about business, I couldn’t exactly find an excuse to keep myself occupied, so all I’m left with is to tear my gaze away from his steel-grays hoping that he doesn’t notice how much my face is burning up right down to my chest. It’s ridiculous how uncomfortable I get whenever he pays attention to me when I know that I can deal with guys any time of the day no matter how good-looking they are. But, Maddox? Geez... I just can’t with him. “Wanna dance?” he asked resting his arm at the back of the love seat we’re occupying so that he could face me some more. “Do you dance?” I literally snorted making him laugh. “No, but I just thought I’d ask,” he admitted wriggling his brows, and this time it was my turn to laugh. “Well, thanks, but no. I have two left feet.”

“Good to know,” he said tipping his head up to drink his Jack and Coke. Eventually, I became more and more comfortable as we progressed from small talks to conversations to banters. When I and the girls left the apartment earlier, I didn't feel too good about this, but now, I can safely say that it's one of the best nights I've had so far.