Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 60700 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60700 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
After I sweep up the remaining broken glass, I dump it in the trash then return with a rag to wipe up the spilled wine.
“Some wine spilled on the rug.” Lexi sounds angry.
“It'll come out,” I promise. “If it doesn’t, I’ll replace it, okay, babe? I don’t want you to worry about it. This was supposed to be your special night.”
Lexi moves to stand, but I point to her. “I said don’t move, doll.”
She rolls her eyes but smiles.
I find a spray cleaner under the sink and scrub the stain on the rug. It doesn’t come out, but I move the coffee table leg over by a few inches, and it covers it.
“I’ll buy a new rug, okay?”
She shrugs. “It’s not my rug.”
“Yeah, but you’re the one who has to live with it. And I don’t want you thinking about what happened.” I put the cleaning supplies away and wash my hands. “Can you do me a favor and just erase it forever from your mind?”
“It’s fine, Bobby.” She hops off the stool and comes to me. “It wasn’t your fault. I’m not upset.” She stands on her tiptoes to kiss me, and I go in hungry, grasping the back of her head to kiss her deeply.
The kiss is different this time. It’s not driven by lust although I do want her. I always want her. No, this is more of an expression of…fuck. An expression of love.
I’m in deep with Lexi now.
Something tells me it’s time to reevaluate our situation.
Then again, it’s working. If we need to adjust later, we can.
Chapter Fifteen
Lexi
On Friday afternoon, I finally get the call about the job. I’ve been waiting all week for the news. Bobby was over every night in time for dinner, which helped the time go by. He brought flowers and wine. Bags of specialty groceries–expensive stuff that I wouldn’t buy for myself. I loved cooking for him. He’s so easy to please.
He took me to dinner a couple of times, and we stayed in watching a movie one night.
For someone who’s not supposed to be my boyfriend, he sure as hell acts like one. Another great thing about this past week is that for the first time in a long time, my earnings belong to me. Well, not really, because I still have the thirty thousand in medical bills to pay off, but there’s no looming financial emergency. I’m making enough this month to pay the rent at the salon, put some toward the medical bills, and still be able to buy lunch at the deli.
“This is Lexi,” I answer breathlessly, recognizing the phone number.
“Hi Lexi, this is Erica Applegate, Human Resources Director at Stellar.
“Yes, hi!”
“I just wanted to let you know that you made it to the next round. The next step is for you to teach a sample class to a group of stylists. Does next Thursday at eleven work for you?”
I hold the phone away from my face and silently fist-pump in the air. When I come back, I attempt to sound calm and collected. “That’s great. Yes, I can rearrange my schedule for that time.”
“Great, I’ll email you the interview confirmation with the details. We’ll see you next week.”
I hang up and catch Ondrea craning her head from the reception desk to meet my gaze. She’s the only one at Stylz who knows about this job, and until I land it, that’s the way it’s going to stay. I told her in confidence that I’d made it to the interview round and was waiting for the call. I give her the thumbs up, and she mimes a silent scream of joy back.
Smiling, I turn back to my station.
Bobby texted earlier to say he was tied up tonight, so after work, I head to Swank to celebrate with Gina.
When I push open the door, I find myself praying Stacy won’t be there.
He’ll get tired of you. Just like he got tired of me.
I can’t get her words out of my mind. Bobby was sweet that night, treating me to a fancy dinner and doting on me–and I assured him I wasn’t upset. I know he assumed I was horrified that he’d choked her. And I was–a little.
But I was also a tiny bit gratified. His instinct had been to protect me. From her.
That has to mean I’m more than his usual floozie, right?
I really, really want to believe that’s true. I want to be more to him. I want to be…everything.
But the reality is that I could be another Stacy tomorrow.
Aw, fuck. I spot the blonde sitting at the bar when I walk in. She clearly didn’t follow his order not to come here. I hesitate in the doorway. Maybe I should just go home. I can always call Gina.
No, screw that. I straighten my shoulders. I’ve been coming to this club for years, and I’m not going to be scared off by some psycho ex-girlfriend. I march over to the end of the bar and wait for Gina to see me. The Friday happy hour crowd packs the place, the young professionals looking smart in their suits. I catch sight of a tall, broad-shouldered man, and my heart stops for a moment, thinking it’s Bobby. But that’s stupid. He has me at his beck and call. Why would he be out trolling for someone else?