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Three
I woke up soaked in sweat, with no idea where I was.
As I sat up, images of a masked, gloved intruder kept playing in my head, holding the terror of my nightmares at the front of my mind, instead of dissipating when I opened my eyes.
What the fuck is happening?
I glanced around a room furnished as lavishly as any luxury hotel, and the events of last night came rushing back. My conversation with Wick, the hacking, the necessity of pulling out the gun I hoped I’d never have to use, and finally… calling Chloe to ask if I could stay the night with her.
It probably hadn’t been my best idea.
I’d chosen Chloe because for years, it had just been her and her kids in the large, well-appointed condo she called home. She, though it wasn’t curated that way, was my only friend who didn’t live with a partner, which in my mind, made her the person to call for a place to lay my head if I needed it.
Only… her living situation had changed.
NowIwas the only one with the lonely bed.
Shaking my head, I pulled myself from the covers, making a mental note to have Chloe send me a dry-cleaning bill. I grabbed the suitcase I’d brought with me, dragging it to the attached bathroom to take a much-needed shower before I started my day.
In the mirror afterward, I began the too-long process of doing my hair and makeup. A smarter, less vain woman would brush her sew-in weave into a ponytail and throw on some eyeliner and gloss and call it a day.
I… couldn’t.
After so many years of stepping outside wearing beauty as an armor, with perfect hair, makeup, and clothes standing in the gap for the weight I’d long given up on losing… I wasn’t about to start today.
Especiallynot today.
Not the day after my computer was hacked, after finding out that the man who wasvery muchstill my husband had impregnated his mistress, the day after the company I’d poured everything into was under attack on social media. I was drained, mentally, physically, and emotionally, but damn if I was going to look like it.
I carefully brushed edge control onto my hairline and tied it down, then plugged in my flat iron. While it was getting hot, I smoothed the primer for my makeup onto my face, giving that time to dry while I ironed away every hint of a curve, giving myself bone straight hair. After that, I went through my makeup, layer by layer, covering any trace of a blemish, concealing the bad and highlighting the good until an even more flawless Monica looked back at me in the mirror.
I cleaned up my supplies and got dressed, shoes and all. I’d taken up more than enough space and time in Chloe’s home, and had no desire to overstay my welcome. I slung my bag over my shoulder and stepped out of the room, following the sound of voices down the hall to the kitchen, where I stopped in the doorway.
Chloe and I were friends, but from the time I’d known her, her interaction with men who were not family, friend, or client was basically nonexistent, as far as I knew. One of the things I loved about Chloe, as both a businesswoman and a friend, was that she was so steadfast. Not closedminded, or stubborn, butconsistent.Very little surprised me with her.
But seeing her with a densely muscled arm wrapped around her, very clearly enjoying herself while her shirtless husband fed her strawberries from a bowl on the counter… that stopped me in my tracks. They were beautiful. And so obviously happy that it made a lump build in my throat, bringing to mind memories of when Kellen and I had been so in love, so into each other.
Just like that.
“Are you going to just watch, or are you going to say good morning, Monica?” Chloe asked, her voice still tinged with a British accent even though she’d lived in America so long. Embarrassed heat rushed to my face, and I averted my eyes.
“Sorry Chlo. Good morning. And good morning, Reggie,” I said, giving him a nod as he chuckled.
“Good morning to you too,” he told me, then gave Chloe a kiss on the side of her head, saying something into her ear before he released her from his hold.
Chloe nodded, giving him a lingering, smoldering look before he left the kitchen using the opposite doorway, grabbing a set of keys from the counter as he went. She watched him, lip pulled between her teeth, until he was gone, and then finally turned to me, with a smile.
“How is it that the last two days have been absolute personal and professional chaos for you, and yet you look photoshoot ready? On a fucking Thursday.”
I grinned back, finally stepping into the kitchen and putting my bag down on the counter. “Lots of water, and a really expensive under-eye serum. Not that you need any tips – you could bottle and sell the glow that Reggie is giving you, and never have to work again.”
“Uh-uh,” she mused, taking a seat at the counter. “I am keeping thatallto myself. I waited long enough, and feel no guilt about being absolutely selfish.”
As she shouldn’t. The man had spent twelve years in federal prison. After standing by through that, shedeservedto indulge in him however she saw fit.
“Are you leaving already?” she asked, gesturing toward my bag. “It’s early, and I could have sworn I encouraged you to take the day off.”
“You did, but I still have things that need taking care of.”
