Chapter 61 - Chapter 60

# Chapter 60
AYANDA

Sweat clings to my skin, and strands of hair stick to my neck as I throw back my apple shot. I slam it down on the bar top, and Loyiso—at least that's what I think his name is—sniffs his, pulling a face.

"Don't be a wuss," I laugh.

Loyiso made the mistake of chatting me up at the bar shortly after I arrived.

While I don't deny he's attractive, and my age, he doesn't carry the same irresistible darkness Vusi shrouds himself in. The kind of darkness I have come to crave and miss.

Thinking about it now has my eyes scanning the busy dance floor behind us, even as my stomach sinks with disappointment.

How long have I waited for him to return? How many times have I searched for him in a crowd like this, expecting him to be watching me from a shadowed corner?

Loyiso finally throws back the shot, pulling a face, and puts it back down on the counter. "Yoh, that's too sweet."

"Don't like it?" I tease, amused, thinking of ways for us to leave this building without getting caught on surveillance cameras. I've been reckless lately.

He shakes his head, dragging the back of his hand over his mouth. "Fuck no."

Gesturing for the barman—who ambles over with a towel across his shoulder while making no secret of checking me out in my strappy silver dress—I order us more apple shots, ignoring Loyiso's audible protests behind me. "You'll thank me tomorrow."

"Eish, you're terrible," he groans.

"You love it—" I fall silent as my neck pricks.

Awareness floods my veins.

Someone is watching me. I search the crowds again, eyes roving over the sea of people.