I shivered, knowing I could never possibly go through with it. I didn’t care how bored or sexually frustrated I was, I would never, ever sleep with Luther.
“Well, I’m sure you could have your pick of men tonight. I’ve seen several hotties eyeing you,” Juliana said.
“Not just me they’ve got their sights set on, missy.” I pointed at her, my lips curling into a smile. “But let’s see—” I tapped a perfectly manicured fingernail to my lips, knowing she didn’t want to talk about men or sex or love. “I’m close to finishing a big redesign project, and I just found out that an international magazine wants to feature my work.”
“Wow.” Her eyes widened, lips curving into a smile. “That’s awesome! Sounds like work is going well.”
“Apart from my annoying rival,” I ground out. And the clients Victoria Ashworth had scared off. “Yes.”
“Oh no.” She rolled her eyes. “What’s Luther done now?”
“He suggested a friendly wager.” I hesitated to tell her the terms, though I wasn’t sure why. Probably because I knew she’d tell me it was a bad idea, and I knew it was. But I was determined to get him off my back.
“What kind of wager?” She leaned forward.
“Well, we’re both in the running for that magazine feature, along with three other designers. If my work is chosen as the reader favorite, he’ll hook me up with an exclusive fabric supplier I can’t seem to get an in with. More importantly, he will drop the idea of sleeping with me once and for all.”
“And if his is chosen?” The question made my stomach clench and bile rise up my throat. “Lauren?”
“I have to spend a night with him.”
Her eyes went wide, her hand flying to her mouth to cover a gasp. “You didn’t.”
I nodded. “I did. But I’m not going to lose.”
“I hope not. I mean, the man’s got a nice body, but he’s such a dick.”
“Tell me something I don’t know,” I mused.
I needed another drink and fast. The idea of actually sleeping with him made my skin crawl. I would never give him that kind of power over me.
“Are you sure about this?” she asked.
“No,” I said, finally admitting my doubt. “But it’s the principal of it.” I huffed, glancing away. “Can we talk about something else, please?”
I could feel her watching me, but thankfully, she changed the subject. “Have you talked to Alexis lately? I’ve texted her a few times since Sophia’s birthday party, but her responses have been pretty short.”
I lifted a shoulder, not sure Alexis wanted me sharing the details with Juliana, even if she was one of our best friends. Juliana and Harper had always been closer, just like Alexis and I were. But with Harper away more and more for work, and Alexis dealing with her own drama, Juliana and I had been spending more time together.
“You know how it is.” I waved a hand through the air. “End of summer closings, and Sophia’s getting ready to start school. Plus, she’s scrambling to find a new nanny.”
She nodded, sipping her drink with a thoughtful expression. “Back to school was always my favorite time of the year.” She smiled a soft smile, toying with the stem of her glass. “I was obsessed with school supplies.”
I laughed, my limbs loose and my smiles easy from the alcohol. “What do you mean—were?” I teased, thinking of all her planners and spiral notebooks and colored pens. “You could give Martha Stewart a run for her money when it comes to organization.”
She laughed, and I was glad to see her smile. A genuine smile.
“You’re right. You know that was one of the things that drove Ryan crazy.” Her smile fell at the mention of her late fiancé. She stared ahead, and I knew she was hurting, thinking about the man she was supposed to marry. “I’d burn all the damn sticky notes if it would bring him back.”
I might not want to attach myself to one man, but Juliana did. And my heart ached for her loss. For the future that was stolen from them.
I leaned forward, squeezing her hand. “I’m sorry, Jules. Truly.”
She lifted her glass as if to make a toast, then thought better of it. “Can’t make a toast with anything less than a full glass.” She gave me a watery smile.
“Or a fresh shot,” I added.
She nodded eagerly, using her index finger to swipe beneath her eyes. “Even better.”
