One of Those Faces (55)

Erin held my gaze. “Call him and find out.” She turned back to Danny. “There’s a new place in the Loop that I’ve been wanting to try.”

I stood up with my phone.

“You can call him here. It’s not that loud,” Erin said, putting a hand on my arm.

I sat back down and dialed Iann. Maybe he was busy.

“Hey!” Iann answered on the other end.

Dammit. “Hey,” I stretched out the word. “I know you’re busy, but Erin and I are thinking about going to a club in downtown tonight. Can you come?”

He hesitated. “Yeah, I could use a break.”

“Great, I’ll text you the address.”



I trailed behind Danny and Erin on the street, playing through different scenarios in my mind. How would Iann react to Danny? How should I introduce them? It’ll be so loud inside that it won’t matter what you say.

“Hey!” Iann appeared behind me, his arm grazing my back. “I caught you before you got in.”

I turned on my heel, and he kissed my lips. “Yeah, you got here really fast.”

“I was at home.” He looked behind me at Erin and Danny talking as we inched toward the bouncer.

Danny met his eyes and glanced at me before stretching his hand toward Iann. “You must be the boyfriend I’ve been hearing about. I’m Danny.”

Iann shook his hand. “Iann. Nice to meet you.”

“They went to college together,” Erin interjected over Danny’s shoulder.

Iann’s smile flickered. “Oh, you’re Harper’s friend?”

I nodded, swallowing my fluttering heart before it dropped out from my throat. “Yeah, we ran into each other recently, and he met Erin tonight, so she invited him,” I said in a rush.

Iann put his hands in his jeans pockets as we made it to the front of the line and filed into the club.

I glanced at him as he followed behind me into the throbbing music. I could see the wheels turning in his mind. All the inevitable questions piling up just behind his lips.

Erin skipped over to one of the only available tables and threw her purse at me. I couldn’t hear what she said to Danny, but they both disappeared on the dance floor. I sat at the table, and Iann joined me.

He stared ahead at Erin and Danny dancing. “Do you want a drink?” he yelled over the music.

I nodded.

He took off his jacket and put it beside me on the booth seat before making his way to the bar.

Danny was still wearing his work jacket as he danced with Erin so close to his chest and touching her hips to his. They had both had a couple more drinks before we left the previous bar, but I was entirely too sober. I unzipped my coat, letting it fall behind my dress.

Iann slid into the booth beside me, putting a glass of rum and Coke on the table. He sipped his beer and leaned toward my ear. “I didn’t realize you were a nightclub girl.”

I downed half the glass. “I’m not,” I shouted. At least not when I was sober. I rested my head on his shoulder. He and I had the same idea. People watching was the best in this kind of place. I finished the drink. My hands shook and my face grew hot as Erin’s hands crept over Danny’s body. “I’ll be right back.”

I ran to the bathroom and threw Erin’s bag onto the sink. I had been clutching it so hard that my fingernails had left impressions in the red fabric. I leaned against the sink and splashed water on my face, the bass outside throbbing behind the mirror. I looked ahead at the vengeful phantom peering back at me. It had been a mistake to come here. To let Erin push me around like this.

I ripped open the clasp on her bag. Inside there were lipstick and a pill bottle. I took the bright-red lipstick and swiped it over my lips, and I shook my hair forward and then let it fall more wildly around my shoulders. I threw the lipstick back in and then extracted the pill bottle. I recalled the night I’d followed Jeremy. This must’ve been what he’d given her outside the studio.

I rubbed my finger over the label. Xanax. How long ago had she started taking these again? I pushed and twisted the cap. I shook out the usual small pill into my palm, then pressed it deeper into my palm, watching the familiar white color seep into my skin. I threw it into my throat and swallowed, the residue bitter on my tongue.

Before I returned the bottle to her bag, I noticed the date and paused. It had been filled three days after Jeremy was found. That couldn’t be right.

When I returned to the table, I caught Iann’s arm and kissed him hard, running my hands through his hair. I only had a history with Danny. I wanted to be with Iann. I grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the dance floor, my body fitting into his.



Danny was directly in front of me, his hands caressing my skin. I didn’t remember finishing my dance with Iann, but I leaned farther into Danny. Our hips met, and I wrapped my arms around his neck.

When I realized how close we were, I recoiled and looked around for Iann, my skin on fire from Danny’s touch. I couldn’t see past the sea of throbbing bodies. I pushed out of the crowd, sensing Danny behind me.

I collided with someone, hands and drinks flying in the air. The girl dropped her glass, and it shattered. “I’m sorry,” I slurred, feeling the wet part of my dress. I met the girl’s eyes, and my heart leaped.

Her hair was down tonight, but she was wearing those same giant hoop earrings. I reached a hand out to her. Was she real? My fingers gripped her shoulder. Her warm, smooth shoulder. Oh my god. She’s really here. “What is your problem?” Jenny yelled, pushing me back.