We laugh and head to the counter, and I sign for the items on the invoice. The amount is… Holyshit. My heart almost stops.
“What’s wrong?” Lareina says.
What’swrongis I spent more money than I should have.On the other hand, I’ve never had this much fun—or felt this beautiful and happy about my purchases.
What the hell. I deserve to pamper myself a little and feel pretty. Besides, if I have to buy clothes, might as well buy ones that make my heart flutter.
“Nothing.” I sign—firmly—on the dotted line. I’ll just pay these off in installments until my insurance cuts me a check for the damages.
Jun gives me two modestly sized glossy paper bags. “Here you go.”
“That’s it?” I ask in surprise.
“The rest will be delivered to your fiancé’s address tonight or tomorrow, depending on my staff’s schedule. But this is for tomorrow—a cute dress, shoes and a change of underwear, plus your makeup,” she explains. “The set is professional enough for an office setting.”
“Oh. Okay. Thanks!” I smile and take the two bags, which are surprisingly light.
Fiona drives us. Lareina starts singing, slightly off key. She slurs her words a little too, probably tipsy from all the champagne. She’s adorable. I join her, because why not? I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun with anyone other than Max.
Besides, I really didn’t expect today to progress tothis. I imagined I’d be in a cheap, dingy motel room—alone—filling out insurance claims online, then end the day on a high note by hitting Target for the essentials.
Fiona drives past the gates and stops in front of the main entrance. “Can I come in to use the bathroom? It’s urgent.”
“Of course.” I gesture. “Come on in.”
She and Lareina follow me inside. Fiona dashes to the powder room.
“I’m a little thirsty,” Lareina says, still slurring. Now she’s swaying too. “Mind if I have some orange juice?”
“Not at all.” Josh said I could have whatever I wanted. I hope that means it’s okay for me to give a glass of orange juice to Lareina.
“You’re the best.” She winks.
“My pleasure.” I smile, then pour her a glass and take a quick sip first before handing it to her.
She gulps it down. “That’ssogood. I almost feel human again. I don’t know why I’m so thirsty. I had four champagnes.”
“Maybe that’s why you’re thirsty. Alcohol can make you dehydrated.”
She frowns. “How come you’re not drunk?”
“I’m totally drunk.” I giggle. “It’s just that I can pass for being sober. It’s a special talent,” I blurt out, then bite my lip in embarrassment. Mom told me that it was the most useless talent ever, and I feel a little silly about it all of a sudden. A knot forms under my breastbone.
Lareina’s eyes widen with admiration. “I wish I could do that. So unfair.” She pouts. “Whenever I get drunk, Ares thinks it’s funny.”
The tension in my chest eases again.
She waves the half-full glass of OJ. “So you aren’t even tipsy?”
“Well, I get drunk. I wouldn’t drive right now. It’s just that I can speak like I’m not affected.”
“Fascinating. By the way, do you think—” She starts to lean forward, then stumbles. “Oops, oh crap!”
She’s teetering dangerously in her heels, and I leap toward her to catch her so she doesn’t hit the hard marble floor. The glass tilts in her hand; the juice splashes over the rim. I gasp as the icy liquid hits my chest.
Her face crumples. “Oh my God, I am so sorry! Youjustbought that!”
“It’s okay. I’m sure it’ll come out in the wash. I can just put on something different,” I say, then stop as I realize that the bags from Jun’s shop only contain clothes and shoes for tomorrow and a change of underwear.
