Page 125 of Chandelier Sin
Monday night and this place was already pushing me to drink.
The only other person at the bar was Rylee Carrington, nursing a glass of white wine. My best friend’s ex looked ravishing in a short halter-neck dress; seemingly unaware she’d turned his life into a dumpster fire. Rylee had unwittingly pushed him into another woman’s arms.
And right into danger.
I ignored her as I ordered a Coke from the barman.
Rylee waited for me to strike up a conversation.
When I continued to ignore her, she asked, “What did Jake tell you?”
“About?”
“Us.”
“You two aren’t a couple anymore, Rylee. I know that much.”
“We still love each other.”
I gave a nod of thanks to the barman and took a sip of cola. It went down smoothly, a refreshing blend of fizzy caramel.
Her frosty glare competed for my attention with that Carolina Herrera’s Good Girl perfume she was wearing.
She set her glass down. “Say what you want to say.”
I swiveled to face her. “What did he promise you?”
“Who?”
I gave her ayou-know-wholook.
“Lance?”
I’d spell it out for her. “A place on the Board?”
“You know about that?”
“Lance wants it for himself.” I shook my head with annoyance.
“Then why would he say he’ll help me get it?”
“We’re talking about Lance Merrill.” I gave her an incredulous look. “The guy with no moral compass.”
Her shoulders slumped.
“Being conned by him was inevitable.” I paused, and then asked, “How do you feel about the new girl?”
She sat up, knowing I was referring to Jake’s lover.
“Can’t believe he’d do that without talking to me.”
I suppressed my anger. “What the fuck were you thinking taking Lance back to Jake’s?”
“It was still my place.”
“You moved out.”
“Mostly.”
