Vanessa takes a series of photos before we retreat for the elevator, where the sweet and citrusy scent that follows Chloe hits me like a tidal wave.
I think back to freshman year and Cooper telling me his best friend was a girl. He was dating Claire Mayfair at the time, so I’d chalked up his immunity to Chloe as respect for Claire, not realizing for months that it was actually because he’d fallen for the other sister.
Dinner is a repeat of last night—the manager and head chef greeting us and telling us about the menu, massive amounts of food, and fellow patrons staring—only tonight, rather than questioning glances about why we’re receiving preferential treatment, the sisters are drawing all the attention.
The manager brings a bottle of a dry merlot that is supposed to enhance the flavors of the aged steaks and fills our glasses.
“Could we also get four Vieux Carré?”
“How do you know all these drinks?” Vanessa asks when the manager leaves.
I grin. “In England, alcohol isn’t so taboo.”
“Why’d you choose to come to college in America?” she asks, lifting her wine glass.
“Because I’m American.”
This seems to draw Chloe’s attention from looking around the restaurant and over the menu to me. “You are?”
I nod. “I have dual citizenship, but I’ve spent half my life in America.”
“You guys spent time over here because of the hotels?” Chloe asks.
I shake my head, smiling because I know they’re about to balk with surprise. “My mum’s American. She’s from Ohio.”
“Ohio?” Vanessa says, a bit too loudly.
Our drinks arrive, orange peels and ice dancing in each of the glasses.
“What shall we toast to tonight?” I ask, lifting my glass.
Vanessa shakes her head. “I have a thousand more questions.”
I grin. “I’ll give you two.”
“So, you’re British and American, and your mom is from Ohio, but you live in Miami. But why do you have a British accent?”
“I lived in England, growing up. Trips to America were for business and vacation.”
“I’m reserving my right for my last question,” she says.
“To friendship,” Cooper says, lifting his glass.
“And Ohio,” Vanessa adds on.
We look at Chloe, who releases a breath and raises her glass a little higher. “And the French for settling this city … twice, and bringing really good food.”
“To whiskey,” I say, and we clink our glasses.
“Hey, Miles,” Chloe greets our driver as we pile into the car, piquing my curiosity.
“Nice to see you again, Ms. Robinson.”
“Nice to see you, too,” she says in response.
“You guys know each other?” I ask, turning in time to catch the smile she sends him.
“He picked me up and brought me back to the hotel this afternoon,” she explains.
From his seat beside me, Miles looks at me. “Ready, Mr. Banks?”
I nod, and the engine hums as we move forward and drive the short distance to the notorious and inconspicuous club.
“This is it?” Vanessa asks, looking around where industrialized buildings sprawl in every direction.
Chloe waves goodbye to Miles and turns her attention to us, the shadows casting a glow that makes the planes of her cheekbones appear sharper and her eyes darker.
I open the bag Anika had delivered to the hotel, and withdraw the four masks inside. “I was told these are required.”
“Oh! They’re beautiful.” Vanessa reaches for a black mask with rhinestones and glitter dusted around the eyes, cut into an intricate pattern, while Cooper takes the single white plain mask, leaving me the black one and Chloe with a mask constructed of black lace that matches her dress nearly perfectly. She glances at it and then me as Cooper and Vanessa help each other with their masks.
Slipping my mask back into the bag so I can put hers on, I motion for Chloe to turn around. She does so slowly. I take a measured step forward as she places the mask against her face, the silk ties resting against her hair. I deftly tie it in place.
She turns, her green eyes brighter as they flash at me like a second warning of the night. I put my mask on and turn so she can tie it for me, and then the four of us cross the street, approaching the line of people that winds into the alley.
Chloe moves toward the end of the line, and I set my hand on her back, guiding her toward the door.
“Right here,” I say. She glances at the people who are watching us with the same level of curiosity we received last night at the restaurant.
I flash my ID at the doorman who's wearing a purple mask, and he signals to someone and wraps lime-green bracelets around our wrists.
“Welcome to Façade, Mr. Banks,” a woman with sleek dark hair and a matching purple mask greets us. “Please, follow me.”
Behind me, Cooper moves to walk beside Vanessa. I place a hand on Chloe’s waist, guiding her into the club. We’re met with green and purple lights offset by strobes of white across the room, pulsing music, and masked faces creating a maze that assures me this would be the place to come if you didn’t want to be found.
The woman leads us to a set of black wrought iron stairs where she briefly pauses to say something to the bouncer who’s monitoring the space. He nods, releasing the red rope that blocks off the VIP area.
We climb the stairs that open to couches, tables and chairs, and music a few decibels quieter.
“If you want drinks or any food, your bracelets will ensure our servers help you right away. You’re also welcome to place your orders here. This entire section has been closed and reserved for you tonight. We have a round of Patrón on its way up. Is there anything else we can get you? Champagne, perhaps?”
I glance at the others who look nearly as shocked as they do confused.
“Maybe in a bit. For now, we’re fine,” I tell her.
She nods. “There’s a phone in the corner. If you need anything, just pick it up.”
“This is straight crazy,” Cooper says, laughing as he approaches the railing. The floor turns to glass at the edge so he can see the dance floor beneath him and out across through the waist-high glass banister.
Chloe follows him, the heels she’s wearing flexing her calves as she looks out across the club. She says something too quiet for me to hear over the music, but Cooper laughs, and then so does she.
A waiter arrives with another telltale purple mask and sets four drinks on the table. I pass him a few bills. It’s as much to ensure they’ll be fast to bring new drinks as it is because it’s expected with my name.
Cooper has one arm around Chloe’s shoulders as they step away from the edge and reach for a shot glass.
“Hey, Coop,” Chloe says, holding her shot glass. “Truth or dare.”
He groans. “Dare.”
“At the bar downstairs, you have to order a slippery nipple.”
Vanessa straight cackles. Chloe works to keep a straight face, but as Cooper slowly shakes his head, she breaks, her lips curving into a wide smile that her lipstick accentuates.
“Let’s go!” Vanessa says, tipping her head back and pouring down the shot in one quick drink.