Page 118 of Brassy Bigwig

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

CHLOE

Ican’t remember the last time I felt this hungover.

My head is thumping, and the light streaming in through the windows feels like a knife to my eyeballs. I don’t know if it’s because of the mind-blowing sex or the celebratory wine Shelby and I had when I got home. The last thing I remember is walking in the door and telling Shelby what happened. We accidentally woke Reed up with our squealing, and then she asked him to get us some wine before he went back to sleep.

When I throw my legs over the side of the bed, they feel like they have cement in them. I glance at the clock on my bedside table and have to rub my eyes to see it right. I thought it said 11:23 A.M.

When I look again, I realize I wasn’t seeing things. It’s actually that late.

Holy shit.

What the fuck?

I can hear Shelby now. As soon as I get to the kitchen and she sees how late I slept, she’s going to say something ridiculous, like D really dicked you good or something else just as ludicrous. I tap my phone screen, and I notice a couple of notifications. Unlocking it, I see a text from Shelby, and I realize D has also texted me a few times this morning. I open D’s messages first.

The first one at eight thirty-three.

Dimitrios: Good morning, beautiful.

Next, at nine seventeen.

Dimitrios: Last night was mind-blowing. I can’t wait to see you today. Let me know where you want to eat and when, and I’ll make the arrangements.

Then at ten-o-four.

Dimitrios: I hope everything is okay, and you aren’t having second thoughts. I went ahead and made reservations for Il Forno at twelve thirty. Looking forward to seeing you, théa.

Finally, at ten fifty-nine.

Dimitrios: Okay, I’m officially worried. Please text me, Chloe. I love you.

Shit. I hate that I made him worry, and I respond immediately.

Me: Hey! Good morning. I’m so sorry I made you worry. When I got home last night, I told Shelby what happened (not everything that happened, though) and we celebrated with a little wine.

Me: At least, I think it was a little. But this morning it feels like a lot more than I may have originally thought.

Me: Anyway, Il Forno sounds great, and I’ll see you at twelve thirty. Looking forward to it.

I’ll have to move quickly if I want to make it there in an hour. I shoot D one final message before I get ready.

Me: And I love you, too.

After that, I put my phone down and head into the kitchen for some much-needed coffee. My head is so foggy, and this may be the only thing that will help. The apartment is suspiciously quiet. Once my mug is full of delicious, hot caffeine, I head back down the hallway and poke my head into Shelby’s room before going into my own. It’s empty.

I’m sure Reed is working, but where the hell is she? That’s when I remember I also had a text from her that I completely forgot about. When I get back to my room, I place my mug on the bedside table and pick up my phone again. I see another message from D waiting.

Dimitrios: You should wear that red dress for me…

Me: Don’t you think that’s a little fancy for lunch?

Dimitrios: Never.

Me: I think I’ll stick with shorts, but maybe I’ll pack it in my overnight bag.

Dimitrios: Okay, deal. See you soon.

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