Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 40969 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40969 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
“What? No freaking way. What was her name? I checked from the beginning of time. Even on his tags on Instalook, there wasn’t a single inkling that he was with someone.”
“Her name is Journey Hayes, Tyra. She has his last name and, hand to God, those two together are one hell of a power couple. It’s the aura surrounding them, the sleek look. I mean, even I was in awe.” The flavors of my drink meld together, sweet with a slight bite, and one that won’t get me drunk off my ass, leaving me with a hangover tomorrow morning.
“Shit, fuck, damn, Celeste. This is crazy. There was no one with that name tagged on his profile, but he’s been seen with Vanessa. Maybe they have an open marriage?” I gag, literally, making the noise because while yes, some people walk around with their upside-down pineapple with pride, I could never. I am entirely too territorial. Maybe it’s because I’m an only child, but there are some things I refuse to share.
“Yeah, no thanks. I think I’ll just go back to living life like normal.” I’m going to change the subject in three, two, one, “Two more things: want to go out Saturday night since the spa will be closed Sunday and Von will be at Mace’s, my treat?” I persuade her. Tyra’s a single mom, and while she has got it going on, the child support she gets from Mace goes to Von, daycare, food, essentials. You name it, the woman doesn’t touch it; it all goes to Von. And the extra at the end of the month goes in his savings account for later in life.
“Oh, yes to the first. What’s the second?” That didn’t take her long to process the question. She must really need a night away from everything.
“I’m thinking I’d like you and Von to come to the shelter with me, see if they have something that’s up my alley.” I always knew I’d always have a dog by my side. The past six months without Creedence have been hard. I didn’t want to look for a new dog, making it seem like I replaced him because you never can replace that first pet, the one you tell all your secrets, that loves you unconditionally.
“You name the time and place, we’ll be there. Who knows, maybe a kitten wouldn’t be a bad idea. Less maintenance than a dog but still a pet for Von to bond with.” We finish making our plans, with Tyra laughing at the thought of trying to find a decent club-style outfit without attempting to look like we’re in our early twenties or that she looks too old, as if that will ever be a problem. We’re in our early thirties. Besides, who’s to say age means you can’t go out to a club, to dance the night away, have a few drinks, and have fun with your bestie? It doesn’t take us long to both start yawning back and forth, Tyra because she’s been chasing Von all day, listening to me, and ending it with wine. Me, well, that’s easy. Sleep didn’t come last night, my mind didn’t have a chance to shut down, and add in today’s epic bullshit, it’s made for an even longer day. I only hope that tonight, sleep comes easier. Maybe a certain man won’t invade my dreams like he’s invaded all my thoughts.
TWELVE
Wylde
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I’m sitting at my office, going over the reports for the last four days. I haven’t seen Celeste in those days. She left while the sun was still out. That I knew as much; it sucked that meeting after meeting kept me tied to my wing of the building. At least my security cameras gave me a glimpse of her coming and going.
I close down my computer with a click of a button, grab my black jacket, put it on over the button-down white shirt and burgundy tie, pick up my phone, and slide it into my pocket before leaving my office. It’s late. No way in hell should Celeste be leaving anytime past nine, not when her doors close at six on her late days. It has me wondering what could have kept her longer than normal. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the days since I walked Journey into Celeste’s spa, it’s that she’s as much of a workaholic as myself. There is the fact that I have yet to leave the casino since it officially opened to the public. Four days we’ve been wide open. Things have had some glitches, the restaurant’s point of service for one instance, the need to hire more security, and going as far as to hire a few more of Nico’s guys. Terry tried to buck up against what I wanted, until I told him he didn’t have to work here any longer. He shut up right away. The incident happening right outside of Celeste’s place was all it took for me to make sure things were better prepared.