<h4>Chapter 78: Chapter 78 : Leaving the Past Behind</h4>


    Ba


    Seeing James in New York was not something I expected, but running into him brought up so many memories I didn’t know how to control. The way he had looked at me made my skin crawl with pleasure, not disgust, like I expected it would have. I wasn’t quite sure why it was he was there, but ording to him, he wasn’t following me.


    Deep down, though, I couldn’t help but feel him running into me was a work of fate and not of coincidence. Something inside me told me I was meant to see him today.


    As soon as we returned to Neal’s apartment, it was clear Neal was upset over the entire situation. The scowls on his face were absolutely dreadful, and no matter how much Allegra tried to talk to him and make him feel better, he just seemed so angry over the entire situation.


    “Would you please calm down? You’repletely ruining the mood. We had such a wonderful day today, and you’re acting like this.”


    Allegra’s words made him snarl, but when his eyesnded on me, he heaved and nodded his head. “I’m sorry. I just don’t like that we ended up running into James today after everything he’s done to you, Ba. I hope you can understand.”


    Of course, I understood. At the end of the day, it wasn’t like any of us had expected it to happen. But as I stood there looking at Neal, all I did was let a small smile grace my lips.


    “It’s okay. Honestly, it’s not like he was expected to run into us. We had a great day. Just like Allegra said, don’t let it bother you. I’m not.”


    Moving towards the kitchen, I went to the fridge to grab something to drink. All of the walking we did today was going to make my legs hurtter, but I was grateful we had a wonderful afternoon.


    “So tonight, we’re going to do something special,” Allegra said, catching me off guard.


    Spinning around, I gave her a perplexed look as I cocked my brow, sipping on the water.


    “Not sure if that’s a good idea,” Neal crossed his arms over his chest as he stared at her. “After everything that happened this afternoon, perhaps it’s just best that we stay here and find something to do.”


    “Seriously? Why? Are you going to let a stupid situation with James ruin what I had already nned?”


    Allegra wasn’t pleased with whatever she had going on possibly being canceled, but I couldn’t help but feel left in the dark with her not telling me exactly what it was. “I’m sorry. Did I miss something?”


    The two of them looked at each other, giving long nces before their eyes cast in my direction. Whatever it was they had nned, it was obvious they were unsure if I would agree to it. Still, Allegra let her frown disappear and became slightly excited about whatever she was going to tell me.


    “Well, there’s this club in town that’s super high-end and very exclusive, and I got passes to go, so I was hoping you’d want to go.”


    Of course, it was no surprise Allegra would want to go out and have drinks, which I didn’t mind. Though it wasn’t my scene didn’t mean I was going to make this entire thing just about me.


    “Sure, why not? Sounds like fun,” I said nonchntly as I shrugged my shoulders.


    Neal, however, pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a heavy sigh of displeasure. “Allegra has not informed you of the kind of club that we’re going to.”


    Slightly confused about what he meant, I looked over at Allegra and waited for her to exin what he meant. In a very dramatic way, Allegra rolled her eyes. “It’s a sex club, like Club Velvet. I didn’t see what the big issue was.”


    I could see where Neal would have slight issues with Allegra’s idea, considering everything that had happened to me, but I didn’t want them to feel they couldn’t do the things they enjoyed simply because I had my drama.


    “No, that sounds like fun. I mean, why not? We enjoyed ourselves at Club Velvet, so let’s go to this ce.”


    Neal seemed very shocked I had agreed, but Allegra smiled from ear to ear as she pped her hands with excitement. “See, I told you she would be okay with going. This is amazing. I will have to find us the hottest outfits to wear.”


    I may have been okay with going, but knowing Allegra would dress me up as she had before made me slightly nervous. Then again, this was New York, and I was on fall break, so why not enjoy myself?


    As Allegra strode to her room, I was left with Neal in silence. The awkwardness between us was there, but I tried my hardest not to let him see I was bothered by being left alone with him. “So today was fun. I’ve really enjoyed myself so far.”


    He nced at me for a moment, hesitating in what he was going to say, but then stepping forward, he ced his hands into his pockets and stared down at me with an amused grin on his face. “I’m d that you’re enjoying yourself here. If you aren’t too sure about going tonight, I can always tell her I don’t want to, I can put the me on me.”


    Once again, he was being sweet. He was trying to look out for me, knowing full well even though I had enjoyed going to Club Velvet, going out and partying and drinking was just not my thing.


    “No, it’s honestly okay. I’m excited to go. Allegra may dress me up in whatever crazy outfit she has, but the three of us will have a lot of fun.”


    “If you’re sure,” he replied, staring at me for a moment longer as I nodded my head.


    “Go get ready, and we can leave here in just a bit, I guess.”


    He hesitated, but only for a moment, before he nodded in agreement and turned, walking towards his room. The room was on the other side of the house from where the two of us were staying.


    In a sense, it was weird to think I was going to be going to a sex club without James there again. I had done it once before with Neal and Allegra, but he had made a point of showing up uninvited to whisk me away.


    James and I were over, and that point was made very clear two weeks ago, and even after seeing him today. I knew there was no chance by the look that he had in his eyes that I would run into him again.


    There was no point in dwelling in a past that just wasn’t made for me.


    Turning on my heels, I stalked towards my bedroom, only to have Allegra step out of hers with a grin on her face and lots of ck leather in her hands. “I’m not sure what you want to wear, but get your little ass in here so we can get ready.”


    Laughter left her, and as it did, I couldn’t help but shake my head. Trying to put a positive smile on my face. “You do know that after being out in the sun all day, I do need a shower? I’m hot and sweaty, and I probably stink.”


    “Good point,” she replied, nodding. “Go take a shower, shave your legs if you haven’t already, and then meet me in my room. Don’t forget granny panties and any kind of bright, colorful underwear will not be epted. I expect a ckce bra and panties.”


    Of course she did. She expected me to look like an absolute temptress tonight, but I wasn’t sure why. Because there was no man I would be interested in hooking up with. At least none I could actually have. So, even though she wanted me to wear that, I had my own reservations.


    “Why? It’s not like I’m nning on gettingid tonight.”


    “Ba, you never know what can happen. It’s always best to be prepared.” She stalked off into her room, leaving me alone once more in my thoughts.


    Perhaps she was right. No one ever knew what could happen, and it was always best to be prepared, even though I wasn’t actively seeking didn’t mean I wouldn’t possibly find someone who piqued my interest, someone that could end up pleasing me in ways James never could.


    It was wishful thinking, but as I headed to my room and searched through my suitcase, I found a set I had bought with the anticipation of wearing it for James but never got to. Holding thece silk material in my hands, I thought about what could happen if I wore this tonight.


    One, I would find somebody, and he would be able to tear this from my body as he ravished me. Or two. I would remain ufortable in this garment, only to find out I didn’t actually have anybody to ravish my body, and then I would be left utterly sexually dissatisfied.


    Either way, though, she was expecting me, and the hot shower I was looking forward to was actually calling my name. Taking thece panties and bra set, I grabbed a towel and headed towards my ensuite bathroom to prepare myself. I wasn’t sure what the evening would bring, but one could hope that it would be gratifying in one way or another.