Lexi strides into The Angels in her mid-thigh black gown, black heels, and killer looks, scanning the crowded room as the thumping music and chatter of the patrons envelop her.
Her eyes lock onto the stunning view of the Los Angeles skyline, the twinkling lights of the city stretching out before her like a canvas of diamonds. The vibrant atmosphere and chic décor are just what she needs to shake off the stress of her day.
As she makes her way to the bar, the scent of expensive perfume and the hum of conversation fill her senses. She orders a drink and takes a sip, feeling the cool liquid slide down her throat. She closes her eyes, letting the music wash over her, and begins to relax.
A tall, handsome man catches her eye, his chiseled features and piercing blue eyes commanding attention. Lexi's heart skips a beat as their gazes meet, and she feels an unexpected spark. Her pulse quickens, and she can't help but notice the way his eyes crinkle at the corners as he smiles.
"Hey"
An unexpected pair of hands freezes Lexi in place, her heart taking a flip as she turns to face the person. She heaves a sigh of relief as her co-worker and best friend Suzzie burst into laughter.
"Gawd!!!, scared as shit, right?"
"More than shit" Lexi sighs again, her eyes scanning the room as she glances back at the table she'd sighted earlier. "No longer there"
"Who?" Suzzie pulls her to a cleared-out table and places a small beer on the table. "Handsome?"
"Hot"
"Rich?" Lexi rolls her eyes at her friend, wondering how she made friends with the blonde. Suzzie is a hottie, the best in the business, and had struck a chord of friendship immediately after she was brought in. Suzzie is tall, with huge boobs and killer hips that make every guy turn heads at her sight.
She'd dropped out of school... Suzie had told her "...And put my fucking hot body to use" She'd concluded, and that had helped, or so Lexi forces a smile and shakes her head.
"Seems like it, how was old Joe's client?"
"Wealthy as fuck, but the nut...." Suzzie stops in her tracks as a man drags a chair towards their table and sits across from them. "Hi," he says, flashing a charming smile. "Mind if I join you, girls?"
Lexi hesitates, unsure if she's ready for company. But something about Suzzie's warm demeanor and leering gazes puts her at ease. "Not at all," she responds.
"I'm Michael," he says, extending his hand to both her and Suzzie. She smiles wildly, taking it.
"Suzzie" She glances toward her friend and says, "Lexi,"
"You're a beauty... I mean beauties" Michael comments, looking at Suzzie and then Lexi. Suzzie throws an excited wink at Lexi, which makes her sigh for the umpteenth time in just a few hours.
"I'll take my leave" She mumbles, grabs the beer, and walks out, striding to the rooftop of The Angel's bar.
Lexi Thompson steps into the rooftop bar, the warm California breeze rustling her hair as she wraps her hands around her waist. She glances down at the gleaming streetlights, her heart suddenly aching as memories of what brought her here and what led her to this place flood her mind.
The city lights blur together as she thinks about her past. She'd always been driven, and determined to make a name for herself in the competitive world of finance. But it hadn't been easy. She'd faced countless setbacks, rejections, and disappointments. And yet, she'd persevered, refusing to give up on her dreams.
But tonight, she's not thinking about her career. Tonight, she's thinking about him. The one who'd broken her heart, who'd left her feeling shattered and alone. She'd thought she was over him, that she'd moved on. But the truth is, she's still hurting.
"Hi"
Lexi's heart thumps in her chest, and for the first time since starting her job, she doesn't look back. "Hello," She feels the presence right beside her, the breath close to her, and savors it.
"It's either you're a loner or a loner to be here; this place is excluded from the bar."
"Is it? What are you, then?"
A smile grazes Lexi's lips, and she takes a mini-turn before pausing with a frown. "You are that..."
"Jackson"
Lexi's eyes narrow as she turns to face him. He's even more handsome up close, with piercing blue eyes that seem to see right through her