Suki and Olivia squealed, and put on “Paparazzi” to dance to as we got ready.
I pulled on my short black skirt and matching top, raked a brush through my hair, and applied my lip-plumping gloss. I’d bought it as a little gift to myself for winning the contract. I wouldn’t let it go to waste.
Sass slipped into a red mini dress and leaned closer to the mirror. I watched her apply another layer of mascara.I won’t be living here much longer. This is probably our last night out as roomies.
I tried to push the sobering thought to the back of my mind, but it was like trying not to cut myself on jagged glass. Living here with these girls had been my haven after moving to a new city alone.
They’d been my rock.They’re family.And now, Karlos had threatened that too.
As I watched my friends dancing around the room, getting ready for our night out, I beamed on the outside … but inside, something felt broken.
My dreams were ground into dust.
Tonight, I’ll be dancing with a broken heart.
***
KARSON
Savoring thefeeling of the sun’s rays on my skin, I leaned back onto the bench seat onThe Canoe. The memories I’d made with Ivy on the boat were the best I’d ever had.
These might be my last few moments here…
But selling was the right thing to do. And if Dyson’s new venture was as good as expected, I needed to move fast so I didn’t miss out.
The broker had called that morning. He thought he’d found a buyer. Selling would give me the resources to build something of my own…Away from Karlos.The thought brought me a sense of calm.
I spotted a small, slick-looking tender speeding toward the dock. It moved closer before coming to a stop. A dark-haired man wearing a navy-blue polo, white chinos, and tan-colored deck shoes waved at me.
“Karson?” he called out, tying off the vessel. “G’day, I’m Sebastian.”
“That’s me,” I yelled as he cut the motor. “Good to meet you, Sebastian.”
With a broad smile, he climbed aboard in one long stride and shook my hand vigorously.
I gestured for him to sit with me.
He pushed his Ray-Ban sunglasses up onto the top of his head and sat. Stretching back lazily, he faced me squarely. “Right. Shall we cut to the chase?” There was a gleam in his eye.
“Please,” I replied, waiting for him to continue.
“I’ve got you a buyer,” he said, handing me an envelope. “Officially, I’m advising you to hold out for a better offer. Unofficially, it’s a slow market for luxury boats, so if you need to sell, now’s your chance.”
I reached out and took the envelope. My fingers drummed against the thick white paper as I stared at it.
“It’s not even half of what she’s worth…” His gaze wandered around the boat. “Especially with the extensive list of features this beauty has. But it’s the best I can do at such short notice. Offer expires tomorrow.”
I ripped open the envelope, staring at the figure written on the paper inside…
An even million. Enough to escape my father. A smile spread over my face.
“I’ll take it, but with one condition. The funds need to be in the account I gave you by this afternoon. If they agree to that, we have a deal.”
He rose to his feet and reached for my hand, pumping it vigorously. “You really are in a hurry, aren’t you?”
“That’s the deal,” I replied.
“It won’t be a problem. I’m authorized to act on the buyer’s behalf. I’ll do the transfer myself when I get back to the office. Just sign here.” He said, pointing to the dotted line and passing me a pen.
