All I could see were dark blue walls, no door or bathroom sign.
“It is over there, I promise.” He laughs. “It’s just very subtle; there’s no handle. You have to just push the door.”
“Why are they hiding the toilets?” I grumble. Damn these bars trying to camouflage their bathrooms because going to the toilet isn’t sexy.
“Ok, I believe you,” I say, not convinced. He’s pointing to the other side of the room, meaning I’m going to have to walk past the management table.
“Be right back.”
I get up and stroll as casually as possible across the bar, clutching my bag against my champagnesoaked tits.
“Charlie,” Mike bellows as he spots me, his nose and cheeks an unattractive alcohol-induced glowing red.
There’s ten of them, mainly men, around a table with enough bottles of champagne to service the entire bar, never mind them.
I give him a curt nod of recognition and a brief wave at the rest of the team.
Karl Walker, Danny’s brother, shoots me a brilliant smile and beckons me over. We’ve met at a few of Tristan’s events. I didn’t realise he was in town. He runs the New York branch of Nexus and is Danny’s number 2. They share the same physical traits, but that’s where the comparisons end; Karl is the polar opposite of Danny, charming and charismatic. Not an arrogant, cold prick.
I give him a sly nod to the table where Mark is sitting and shake my head politely as I try to push forward on my shaky twig legs.
He’s not taking no for an answer. He moves towards me, stopping me in my tracks.
“Charlie.” Karl kisses both my cheeks. “So good to see you again. You’re not getting off that lightly.”
I can’t believe this man was born from the same woman as his brother.
Ignoring my protests, he pulls me along with his hand on the small of my back.
Their table is loud, the rowdiest in the bar as they all talk over each other and jump between seats in a drunken state of restlessness.
A few shout my name excitedly like I’ve descended from heaven or a similar miracle. I’m nowhere near their level of drunk yet.
“Are you coming to the strip club, Charlie?” Mike jumps up and down excitedly like a little kid with new toys.
“Not tonight, Mike” I cringe.
My eyes float to Danny as he props against the table, holding a beer. The sleeves of his shirt are rolled up, and he has loosened the top three buttons revealing a tanned chest.
With his cold eyes locked on mine, he takes an aggressive swig of his beer.
“You look sensational, Charlie,” Karl says, oblivious to the tension.
I smile at him. I had always warmed to Karl. He was the life and soul of every party.
If I had any common sense, it would be Karl that I would be lusting after.
“I’m actually trying to hide champagne stains.” I laugh, jutting my chin down to my breasts. “I’m not called clumsy Charlie for nothing.”
“Who’s the lucky guy?” Karl nods to the table.
“Ah” I look over where Mark is sitting, looking a little bored.
“He’s actually a blind date,” I blush. “He’s a doctor.”
His eyebrows arch. “I thought you had a serious boyfriend? Shane?” “Ben,” I corrected him, tucking a stray hair behind my ear. “We split up.” “How do you know this guy?” A deep voice growls beside him.
None of your fucking business, mate.
“It’s an online date,” I say after a long pause.
He glares back at me without blinking.
“Does Tristan know about your blind date? You know the security concerns he would have.” “I’ll bear your concerns in mind,” I responded through gritted teeth. “If you’ll excuse me.” “Lovely to see you, Charlie.” Karl grins at me flirtatiously.
I make my way to where the toilets are and stand confused. This is the spot where I saw someone push the wall a minute ago, and the door opened. There’s nothing here but a blue wall.
Do I have to say Open Siamese or something?
I start pushing at the wall. Nothing budges. I move along the wall and push. Still no movement.
I’m feeling across the wall, and the tables around me are staring.
This is getting embarrassing. I look like I’m trying to push the wall down. “Can I help you?” A waitress stops and watches me.
“I’m trying to find the toilets?” I ask.
She points to a section of the wall further down. I push the wall, and low and behold, it moves. It’s like trying to enter fucking Narnia through the wardrobe.
“Is it male or female?”
“It’s gender-neutral” She rolls her eyes like I’m a moron.
The inside of the bathroom is as confusing as the outside; dim lights and mirrors make going to the toilet a sexy but impossible experience. An environment more akin to a brothel than a bathroom.
“Look at the state of you” I scorn my reflection in the mirror. The stain makes my breasts look obscene like I’m applying for a wet tee shirt competition.
The door crashes open and slams against the wall.
I whip round to see Danny Walker standing in the doorway, face like a bull about to charge.
My eyes widen. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Me?” he snaps. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Whattt?” I stammer, taking a step back.
He slams the door shut, and I jump, dropping my lipliner down the sink.
“Are you trying to fucking tease me? Parading some prick in front of my face?” He storms forward into my personal space. “I told you not to play games with me, Charlie. Playing me like a fucking pet.”
My mouth drops open. “What? What an arrogant git you are” Even if he is right.
I square my shoulders, stepping towards him.
He’s drunk, I realise as I watch his erratic breathing.
“My date is none of your business.”
His stormy eyes tell me he doesn’t like my answer.