Page 50 of Where Angels Fall

“Tell me you get breaks between clients, and you can meet me for a coffee,” I plead, needing to have a moment with a person who isn’t part of a gang or part of the Dally Enterprise.

She laughs softly into the phone.

“Well, aren’t you lucky? I just finished with a client, and I desperately need to tell someone about what I just drew,” she giggles, almost maniacal.

I laugh back, her energy contagious even through the phone.

We decide to meet at the cafe below my building, her workplace is only a few streets away, and I immediately grab my bag and make my way down.

Both of our orders sit on the table in a small booth by the window by the time she walks in, clad in dark cargo pants, black boots and a sheer top showing a black bra underneath. Art covers her tanned skin, and eyeliner wings her eyes.

She looks stunning.

“Why are you the coolest?” I sigh, unable to stifle my grin.

When she leans in and hugs me, a genuine hug filled with genuine care, I shake my head at the way a lump forms in my throat.

“Why are you the fanciest,” she teases back, not knowing her simple gestures make me feel human for the first time in forever. “Thanks for the coffee.”

We cheers, and I ask the question that’s been burning my mind for the last ten minutes.

“Tell me about the tattoo.”

Her smile is wicked as she takes a sip of her coffee. “You’ll never believe it. The hottest guy walks in, right, and unashamedly asks me to tattoo his dick.” My mouth pops open in shock, heat creeping up my cheeks. “Don’t get me wrong, I get wild requests every day, but this guy threw me. And like, he whips out his dick, and I tell you...” She shakes her head, eyes wide with wonder, and I nearly spit out my coffee as I giggle. “I’ve never seen one look so perfect.”

I’m mortified. I’ve never heard someone talk so freely about this kind of stuff, that is has me blushing like a virgin. And she sees it too, throwing her head back and laughing at my reaction.

“Long and thick, with pretty little veins running through it,” she teases, as my jaw unhinges. “I can’t even describe it; words won’t do it justice.”

I have to cough once before my words come out. “Soooo... fun day at work?” I ask, and her grin is answer enough.

“What about you, Maddy baby? What’s happening in the world of the 1%?”

Fidgeting, I pick at my nails. My father demanded that I bring his new associate, Zeke, to the event, but he never specified that I couldn’t bring my friend as well.

“I’m throwing this big event Friday night, and I was... wondering if you’d...” I sound pathetic. Like someone who has never had a friend their entire life. Because that’s exactly what I am.

But she squeals not waiting for me to finish. We get funny looks from tables nearby, but she doesn’t seem to care.

“Of course I’ll be there! Are you kidding? My life is all rock and roll and no diamonds,” she looks excited, more excited than I am by the thought of going. “Oh my God, I need to buy a dress! I literally do not own a dress. I’m assuming it’s as fancy as you are?”

“You can shop in my wardrobe if you want,” I joke, but the look on her face tells me she doesn’t find it funny.

“If you are serious, then I officially love you. I’d love nothing more than to see your wardrobe,” she gasps.

I have to chew on my lip to stop myself from saying anything embarrassing. Having a friend has to be one of the world’s best feelings. And the thought of having one come to my house and try on dresses with me heals something deep within me. The part that thought I’d only experience this through watching movies.

It feels normal. And so, so nice.

The topic moves along, and my stress from work slowly fades away as we watch the city buzz through the window. Suddenly, her sharp nails dig into my arm.

“Maddy,” she whispers, and I swing my head in her direction. Her face has gone dead serious as she stares out the window. “This is going to sound crazy, but... I think we are being watched.”

My brow furrows, confusion and nervousness ramping up my heart rate as I peer out the window again. And then I see it.

Kai parked completely illegally across the street, leaning against his bike. As usual, he doesn’t bother to hide the way he is watching us. I suck in a deep breath, trying to find the words to explain it. How can I even start to explain?

“Roxy,” I start, and she looks at me, her face drawn tight. “It’s okay. We are okay. It’s just... there’s this guy... And I’m... Well, he...”