started having dreams about this really hot woman. A woman I’ve never actually met in real life.” He chuckled. “I don’t even know if she exists in real life.” He sipped his drink, looking at each of his friends in turn, as if daring them to say something sarcastic.
The guys sat in silence, exchanging looks of concern for their friend. Damon broke the silence. “I understand what you mean, Avery, and I think I know a way to help you out.”
Avery sighed. “Really? And how is that?” Damon was a wild kind of guy; a nice guy, but a born party animal and lady’s man. He was pretty sure he wouldn’t be interested in any of his friend’s dating advice.
“A few of my clients have mentioned this club that caters to the elite; The Boardroom.” He flashed Avery a wicked grin. “They specialize in finding partners for men and women.”
“Partners?” Avery asked. “Damon, I’m not interested in an escort or a fucking stripper! I want...” Avery left it at that, unable to finish the sentence, unsure of exactly what he wanted.
“It’s not like that,” Damon said. “I know you would never go for that kind of thing… and I’d never suggest it, but you should give the place a try. You don’t have anything to lose. We can check the place out tonight.”
“Fine,” Avery mumbled. Humoring his friends was the easiest route. He’d go along willingly and then they could all forget about it after it didn’t work out. If he got stubborn about not going, they’d just get stubborn about making him go.
After several drinks, the guys decided to take a drive to The Boardroom and see what the place was all about. Avery wasn’t sure if it would be best to go alone or with his friends, but they probably wouldn’t believe he went unless they saw with their own eyes, so going as a group became the plan. His faceless love was out there somewhere. She was more than just a product of his over-heated imagination. He could feel it in his bones. She probably wouldn’t be at a place called The Boardroom but he’d never find her if he didn’t start looking sooner or later.
Chapter Six -- Peyton
The girls were gathered around the kitchen table awaiting the arrival of the pizza delivery guy. With classes to attend and homework to do, they had each had a very long and tiring day. Peyton wanted to discuss the possibility of “The Boardroom” with them and get their opinions. She would need their support and help covering for her with her brother and sister.
The pizza arrived and everyone dove in like a pack of wild animals. It was moments like this that reminded Peyton why she worked so hard to provide a safe and loving home for her family. Looking around the table at everyone smiling, laughing, and talking made her heart melt.
She wished her parents could be here to see how well Jacob and Maggie were doing. The grief still had not passed and she wasn’t sure it ever really would. It would take time. She just had to be there for them when the emotions finally surfaced.
She cried herself to sleep many nights, worrying if she’d be strong enough to hold the family together. It was hard to walk through a house that held so many memories, but those same memories made it easier, too, making it sometimes feel like her parents were still there, watching over them. Tonight was one of those moments.
After dinner, Jacob and Maggie went to their rooms to do homework. Thankfully, that was one thing she didn’t have to worry about. They studied hard, determined to do the best they could, and for that, she was grateful.
They were good kids. The discipline their parents had instilled in them easy to see. Peyton knew they would succeed in whatever they decided to do with their lives, which was why she was determined they have every possible opportunity available to them. Even if that meant making extra money at The Boardroom.
With the kids studying and dinner taken care of, the house seemed to be wrapped in a calm quiet;