West of the Flints

CHAPTER 2

“Girl, I can't believe he did that to you”. Daphne, Elora's best friend said, as she walked into the kitchen of her small apartment to prepare a hot cup of tea for Elora.

“I already pictured my whole life with him. It still feels like a bad dream I can't wake up from” Elora said, sniffling and blowing her runny nose into a paper towel.

“With that behavior, he's not worth your tears darling. By the way, congratulations on being a certified chef, baby!!! I'm so happy for you. You've dreamt of this for the longest time” Daphne said as she hugged Elora and handed her the cup of tea that she had placed on the table.

Elora snorted and gave Daphne a cute little smile, as she said,” I can't believe I just forgot how long I've wanted this whole chef thing, because of Ryan. He broke my heart and all I can do is replay the image of him and that girl over and over again."

"The nerve on that man. Nerve-wracking." Daphne tutted.

"He made me his s*x doll and he had the guts to say that 'I don't excite him.'"

"You know what? Screw him. He never deserved you in the first place. You were simply too good for him. Besides, I told you I had my reservations about Ryan, but you never listened." Daphne said, rubbing circles on Elora's back.

Elora continued to sob quietly when Daphne said,

"Enough of that already. We've got a lot to celebrate. Your graduation from culinary school and my new job in Seattle. I don't want the last time I see you before I travel, to be filled with tears." Daphne tried cheering Elora.

Elora was twirling her engagement ring in her hand and she didn't respond to Daphne.

In one swift swoop, Daphne swiped the ring from Elora and said, "Now that he is out of your life. You should get rid of everything that reminds you of him."

"You're right, and I'll start with this." Elora collected the engagement ring from Daphne, walked towards the trash, and dumped the ring in the trash bag.

"You go, girl!!! Time to celebrate. We are going to go to the club to celebrate, party and let loose. I won't take your usual 'no' for an answer, so you have to come. Maybe, you might even find a man, whose briefs you put in a knot." Daphne wiggled her eyes at Elora.

"But you know I don't have what to wear and my salary is barely enough to get a bottle of scotch," Elora whined, trying to dissuade Daphne.

"I knew you'd say that. Good thing I've got everything covered." Daphne winked at Elora and dragged her into her room, so they could get prepared, and be on their way to the club.

***

Elora and Daphne made their way into the club after standing in line for a while.

Elora had on a strapless blue short gown that stopped on her thighs. It flared from her waist to the level at which it stopped on her thighs. She paired it with red heels and she flaunted her beautiful hair which was usually packed into a bun.

Daphne had on a green body con gown, paired with white heels.

They looked stunning and the moment they stepped into the club, most dudes began ogling at them.

“It's so noisy in here,” Elora declared, as music from the speakers was blasting from every corner.

“What?” Daphne asked with a raised tone, as she struggled to hear what Elora was saying.

“Why is it so noisy?” Elora repeated, getting tired of the rowdy atmosphere.

“I can't hear you, speak up!

“The sound in here is so loud! How do you cope with this? Elora asked.

“Come let's get a drink, don't worry about the sound” Daphne suggested.

They walked to the bar and the bartender gave Daphne a nod of recognition.

“Two shots of tequila, stat!” Daphne said to the bartender.

The tall dark muscular bartender winked at her and said, “Shots of tequila coming right up”.

“Here are your drinks. Daphne, as usual, yours has been paid for by the gentleman by your right” the bartender said with a wink, as he served them.

“Thank you, Duke” Daphne said as she turned to Elora and said, “Damn, the young man is so hot. I might just have a dance with fire tonight”.

While Daphne was speaking to Elora, the gentleman who paid for Daphne's drink walked up to her and said, “Hey girls, would it be rude if I stole you from your friend for a bit?”

Daphne considered saying no but Elora said, “No, not at all. You can take her but please return her safely to me”.

Elora sat down and the thoughts of her day with Ryan swam back in and the words “You don't excite me”, and “I don't ever want to see you again” haunted her.

“I'm here to let loose and not think over inconsequential things. I'll show him who is not exciting to be with,” Elora muttered under her breath.

“Three shots of tequila stat!” Elora echoed to the bartender.

“One, two, and go” she whispered and gulped all three shots one after the other.

“Rough night?” A stranger with a voice that sent chills down her spine, said from behind her.

She turned to see an angelic-looking man with a perfect jawline and hair. His smile made her heart skip a beat, or maybe it was just the booze making her feel things.

“Yeah, you could say that,” She smiled endearingly.

“Do you wanna talk about it or you'd rather dance with me?” He asked as he stared at her face, waiting for an answer.

Something about this stranger seemed to draw her in, and she wasn't going to fight it.

Elora stood up and he stretched his hand out to her, so she could join him.

She followed him onto the dancefloor, he held her hands and drew her in, holding her waist.

The alcohol had gotten into her system, so she moved freely on him with the music playing.

Elora stared into the hot stranger's eyes while she moved her body against his. He never took his eyes or hands off her. The tension in the air was palpable, and he whispered "Let's get a room."

Elora nodded and followed him. They booked a room and in no time, they were in the room, kissing each other like they couldn't get enough.

The stranger suddenly pulled away from the kiss, like he was hesitating and looked at her with longing. She understood the questions going on in his mind and she said,

"We're in room 42B. I wouldn't remember that if I was drunk." Elora convinced him, breathless from the kiss.

He was reluctant, but she gave him a reassuring look before his lips found its way to hers again, and the rest of the night was a blur.

The next morning, Elora is woken up by the incessant buzzing of her phone vibrating on the nightstand.

She turned around and admired the handsome, gentle stranger she just had a one-night stand with.

Her phone drew her attention from daydreaming, back to reality as it didn't stop vibrating.

Elora picked it up to answer a call from her twin sister, Cora.

"What's up, sis?"

"What?"

"I'll be there in 15 minutes."