Free Spin Control by Holly O'Dell

spot at one of bars. He bought me a gin
and tonic, but I refused. "Sorry, can't drink. I'm on the
clock."
    "Hey, how come you never returned my message?
Couldn't pry yourself off of Lover Boy?"
    My jaw tightened. "Why do you care? Not that I
even owe you an explanation, but he and I are as platonic as you and I are."
    "Is that how you describe us, platonic?" Devin spoke
methodically, as if he were doing a guest spot on a soap
opera. Thankfully, I saw Anna enter the party; I had
never been so excited to see her. I waved her over.
    She didn't even acknowledge Devin's presence,
which made me gleeful. I heard Michael shouting my
name over the house music. I turned to see Miranda,
wearing a black strapless minidress with black Jimmy
Choos with four-inch heels, at least. Before I could
even react, Miranda walked up and gave me a hug. "It's
so good to see you again, Kate! You look fantastic."
    Glad somebody noticed. I wore a cropped black
blazer over a black and purple off-the-shoulder top,
which sat right at the waistband of my black hip huggers. The outfit had been in my closet for six
months, just waiting for its debut.

    Miranda was starting to grow on me, if only for her
ability to improve my self-esteem. "Miranda, this is my
best friend, Anna. She's a makeup artist."
    Miranda and Anna shook hands. "I bet we have a lot
of stories between the two of us," Miranda grinned.
"We'll have to swap tales later tonight. I have to make
the obligatory rounds first"
    Anna said nothing, just beamed. She loved the energy of the dark, loud bars, and couple that with the fact
that she got to hang out with Miranda Hamilton-well,
I certainly earned my friendship badge for the evening.
    Miranda turned to the group. "Hey, everyone, we
have a VIP room in the very back of the bar. The
bouncers are expecting all of you, so you shouldn't get
any flack. I'll be there in a few minutes."
    Before she left, Devin stepped forward. "We haven't
met yet. I'm Devin Underhill, and I must say, I am a
huge fan of yours"
    Miranda shrugged her shoulders and smiled.
"Thanks!" was all she said. As she exited, her hips
swayed as she made her way through the crowd, stopping every five seconds to chat someone up. I could see
Devin staring after her.
    "Someone should give him a hankie to wipe his
drool," Anna said under her breath.
    "I must talk to her more" He slowly followed her,
enchanted.
    I quickly pivoted toward Michael. "You've created this beast, now you're going to have to tame him. I
knew this wasn't a good idea."

    Michael, too, looked worried, but he tried to sound
composed. "I'll follow him, distract him somehow."
    It was just Anna and I left. "So, should we go claim
our VIP status while we have the chance?" I asked her.
    "I've never been a VIP before. And to be one with
Miranda Hamilton is even better. See, I told you that
she was sweet!"
    "Yeah, she isn't as bad as I thought," I reluctantly
admitted.
    The entrance to the VIP room was cloaked in a black
velvety drape. The security guard pushed it aside for
us, introducing three dark-blue leather couches formed
in a horseshoe shape, an aquarium with exotic fish, and
a glass coffee table lined with every kind of liquor
imaginable. The sunshine-yellow walls were a bright
(and surprising) contrast to the rest of the bar, though
they were somewhat muted by the faint light coming
from the green-fringed lamps.
    The lounge was a peaceful oasis from the chaotic bar
scene. The house music was muted, and patchouli candles gave the air a hearty, musky scent.
    I looked around and saw about a dozen importantlooking people, some of whom were obvious trendsetters and probably paid to just stand there and look cool,
others still in business suits. I leaned toward Anna.
"Any of those people look familiar?"
    She casually scanned the crowd and tapped her chin.
"Hmm. I think I worked with one of those guys on a
play a few months ago. I'll be right back" Within sec onds, Anna was