Page 16 of Riches and Romance

“Christ on a cracker, what did you do?”

“He broke my nose. Cause he’s a break,” Jules says in a nasally but garrulous voice. She laughs and then moans in pain.

“What does that mean?” Reena asks.

“I don’t know, maybe I knocked her senseless. Who cares? She needs the A&E.” I slip the backpack now dangling from her elbows off and sling it over my shoulder. I can’t believe I hurt her. I put a hand on her shoulder and try to pat it soothingly.

Reena pulls out her phone. “I’ll order the Uber.”

“No, I have my car, I’ll drive.”

“Perfect. Let me grab my purse.”

“You can’t leave your party.”

“I can’t leave my friend,” she pushes back.

Beside me, Jules moans softly. “We’re wasting time. I’ll call you and let you know where we are. I promise.”

“You better. I’ll come as soon as I say goodbye to everyone.”

I put an arm around her shoulders, and she lets her body relax against mine as we walk to the lift. I was a deer in the headlights at the bar earlier and totally fucked up. But she went from cute bartender with a killer smile to a sex pot with zerowarning. I blanked. I hoped I’d think of a way to rectify myself by Sunday.

“It hurts so much,” Jules says in a small voice that tugs at my guilt and worry.

“I know, but we’ll get you fixed right up.”

I’m sure her nose will be fine. But after this, I’ll be lucky if she ever graces me with one of those put the sun to shame smiles again.

CHAPTER 5

BREAK

Omar

I scowlat my reflection in the mirrored glass window of the waiting room at the Accident and Emergency. I’m waiting for Jules.

A text from Reena pops up on my phone.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t respond sooner. My phone died. I’m home. Tell me where you are and I’ll come over and see her home.”

“It’s fine. I’ll wait with her and see her home,”I text back.

My phone rings a second later with Reena calling on a video call.

“Hey.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “You’ll dowhat?”

I furrow my brow in confusion. “I said I’ll take her home.”

She cocks her head to the side as if she thought I’d just told a boldfaced lie. “What were you two doing outside on the balcony?”

“I was on the phone with my sister…her I have no clue.” Even though after the way I behaved at the bar, I’d put money on her coming to tell me to fuck off.

“Omar, she’s one of my best friends, and she’s nice as hell.”

I return her disapproving smile. “All I did was offer to take her home from the hospitalafterI broke her nose. I know I play one on TV, but you know I’m notreallyan asshole.”

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