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“Be nice,” Savannah says.
“How exactly are you two related?” I ask, pointing between Matteo and Dom.
“We have mutual family.Weare not related, just share two cousins, an aunt and an uncle.”
“Right.” Because that clears it up for me. “Let’s finish this then, before someone ends up bleeding out on my carpet,” I say.
“I like you. You’re hired.” Matteo grins at me.
“Hired for what?” I laugh.
“I have a lot of business here in Australia. I’m firing my current team and you’re taking over,” he replies like it’s a done deal.
What the fuck? How the hell did I just get myself mixed up with the mafia?
AFTERWORD
SNEAK PEEK OFFOLLOWING HIS COMMANDS:
CHAPTER ONE
Dani
Heartbreak. Humiliation. Hatred.
Those are the three H words loving Hunter Jameson evoked within me. In that exact order. First came the heartbreak, while I was standing at the altar in front of both of our families and all of our friends. Then came the humiliation of being the jilted bride. Something I never, ever thought would happen to me. Third was the hatred. That feeling is reserved for him and him alone. My so-called high school sweetheart. The one I thought I’d spend the rest of my living, breathing days with. Hunter-fucking-Jameson.
Is it too much to hope he and his new bride get hit by a bus?
I should be over that whole ordeal by now. Iamover it. It was six months ago. Practically a lifetime really. I don’t usually dwell on it too much these days. In fact, I barely give Hunter a passing thought. It’s just when I’m forced to see his sickeningly perfect wedding snapshots all over social media—yes, the jerkface went and got hitched today—it’s hard not to think about that awful day. Especially after he left me at the altar because (and I quote):You’re just not the marrying type.
“Okay, that pint of Ben and Jerry’s really isn’t going to solve your mental breakdown,” Eloise says before snatching the tub of sweet cream and cookies from my hands.
“I agree. It’s only going to make you sadder. Butthis…” Daisy adds, holding up a bottle of tequila. “This, my friend, will make everything better!”
I groan. “I don’t think tequila and me are a good idea right now,” I tell Daisy, who clearly isn’t listening because she continues to pour us four shots.
“You’re not in the right frame of mind to make responsible decisions, which is why we’re here to make them for you.” Claire places a plate of wedged limes in the centre of my coffee table with her declaration.
“I really appreciate you all being here and putting up with my overdramatic ass. Once again,” I tell all three of my best friends.
“Nonsense, there is nowhere else we would rather be,” Daisy says, and then proceeds to hand me a shot glass.
I take the tequila, hold it up, and lick my left hand as Eloise pours a generous amount of salt on the spot.
“Lick, shoot, suck!” Daisy yells out, and all four of us follow her instructions.
My nose scrunches up as I suck on the lime. I don’t know why I ever think tequila shots are a good idea. They’re horrible, but then as the burn runs its way down my chest and warms my body, I’m already thinking a second shot is in order. Maybe drinking myself stupid is the distraction I need to forget about Hunter-fucking-Jameson… and his stupid, ugly-pretty wife.
Yes, ugly-pretty is a thing. It’s where someone is physically pretty, but you find them ugly just because you want to. In my head, it makes sense.
“Okay, another!” I say, slamming my glass down on the coffee table while the girls all cheer. Raising the second glass, I yell out, “To friendships that will never end,” and we clink our shots together.
“Hear, hear!” Daisy says. “Now, lick, shoot, suck.”
Following her lead, I take the shot and look around at my friends. I really am so grateful for my girls. I’ve collected them over the years and I plan on keeping them.
I met Eloise in second grade. We’ve been inseparable since that day I told Nicholas Kelsey off for pulling her hair. At the time, we didn’t know that a boy pulling your hair meant he liked you. Eloise found that out when she dated Nicholas from eight to ninth grade. Thankfully, she outgrew Nicholas’s immaturity real fast.He, however, spent the rest of high school pining after her. Not that I can blame the guy. She is fucking gorgeous. With long, ashy-brown hair, tanned skin, and curves that belong on a 1950s poster, Eloise is every man’s wet dream. Even if she’s not interested in dating right now; she’s way too focused on her career. Eloise is a real estate guru. One of Melbourne’s most sought-after agents. She selling the kind of houses we could only dream of owning.
