Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 96129 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96129 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
“You ready for round four?” Josh asked, appearing in the doorway. “Maybe this time you’ll actually let yourself feel the fucking music.”
“I will.” I took a deep breath. “I’m good. I’m ready.”
“Do you want to go see the little girls?” He leaned against the door. “Maybe they’ll remind you what hope feels like.”
I felt something heavy settle in my chest, but I nodded as I stood up and followed him, because he was right. The kids in this show were fantastic and they all looked at me like they couldn’t wait to one day be the Sugar Plum. The last show was our best of the last two days. Once I finished, I walked to the shower with some of the other girls, talking about plans for Thanksgiving. I had none. I didn’t even have anyone to celebrate it with. I was sure Dom would do something, if not with his dad or little sister, then definitely with his band of brothers. I thought I’d be sad at the prospect, but last year, Dad wasn’t here to celebrate, and Santi had been gaming the entire day, so I was practically on my own anyway.
I was meeting Yari at the bar. I figured I could do that or go home and cry into my pillow. I’d probably still go home and cry into my pillow, but at least I’d be drunk when I did it. When I got to the bar, Marco was hot on my heels. Apparently, he wasn’t allowed to stay by the car anymore. Now, he had orders to follow me like white on rice. Even with him nearby at all times, I was looking for Anthony. I don’t know where I expected him to be hiding, but I couldn’t let the feeling go. When I finally spotted Yari, I was happy to see her sitting down, rather than standing by one of those tall tables. I wasn’t sure my feet could take any more tonight. I’d already iced them and still felt like I needed to do it again. When she saw me, her face lit up as she stood and wrapped her arms around me.
“How’d it go?” She sat down. I took the seat across from her. “I ordered you a martini.”
“Thanks, and it went okay.”
She sighed. “You weren’t into it again?”
“Not really.” I took a sip of my drink and looked around. “This place is cute.”
“Are things not going well with Dominic?”
My eyes snapped to hers. “There’s nothing going on with Dominic.”
“Please.” She rolled her eyes.
“I’m serious.”
“Last time we were out, he showed up and all but carried you over his shoulder like a caveman, and let me tell you, it was hot as fuck,” she said, “But, I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“I won’t.” I already was.
“You already fell for him.” She let out a laugh. “At least it’s not one-sided.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, even though I knew what she meant. I felt what she meant, and yet, I needed to hear the words aloud from someone outside of my head.
“Do I need to repeat my previous statement?” She raised an eyebrow. “Or the fact that he picks your schedule at Oui and only lets you see the oldies.”
“I like going out with Billie.” I smiled when I thought about her. “She went to my show the other night.”
“My point is that he’s obsessed with you, and it’s not low-key, either.”
“And you’re scared that he’ll take over my life and I’ll lose myself to him?” I took a sip of my drink. It sat heavy in my stomach.
“No.” She scoffed. “You’re not going to lose yourself to no one. I’m here for all of it, if this is what you want, but you already have to deal with Anthony and –”
“Had to deal with Anthony. Past tense.” Another sip, this one bigger.
Her jaw dropped. “What happened?”
“Long story short, Dominic threatened to kill him if he ever looked at me again.”
She continued to gape at me. “Is he insane?”
“I think he might be.” I felt tears prick my eyes, but I breathed them away.
I was not going to cry. We spent the following two hours drinking and talking about lighter things, like a new client she had who kept requesting her back, and Thanksgiving. She was going to the Dominican Republic to visit family. I was so jealous. I hadn’t been since I was a teenager, since before Mom was killed. I felt that thing in my chest get even heavier.
“Ros.” She set her hand over mine. I looked up at her through glassy eyes. “Hey, I’m here for you, girl. If you want me to cancel my trip, I will.”
“No.” I wiped my tears with my free hand. So much for not crying. “Don’t be stupid. I just . . . this is why I don’t drink tequila. You know how I get.”