Page 11 of Her Possessive Daddies

"Who's missing anything?"

"Please. I saw you checking your ex's Instagram earlier. Time to return the favor."

She snaps a few photos, my curls wild from the night's humidity, smokey eyes slightly smudged in that perfect way that says 'I'm having too much fun to care.'

"Damn girl." She hands the phone back.

I scroll through the photos, barely recognizing myself. The girl in these pictures looks confident, sexy even. Like someone who belongs behind this bar instead of hiding in the library.

"Post it," Lacey says. "Tag the location. Let the world know you've landed on your feet."

I bite my lip, thumb hovering over the share button. "Isn't that kind of... petty?"

"Honey, petty would be tagging him directly. This is just living your best life. There's a difference."

She's right. I select the best photo and type: "New adventures" with a cocktail emoji.

The crisp nightair hits my face as Lacey and I exit through the back door. My feet ache, but the wad of cash in my pocket makes it worth it.

"Thanks for everything tonight. You're amazing at this."

"You're a natural." She pulls me into a quick hug. "Get some rest. Tomorrow we'll work on your pour technique.

“Thanks, Lacey.” I smile as I push open the door, my feet aching from my shift.

Crisp air hits my face as I unlock the car and slide in, stuffing my apron in the console. The drive home feels surreal, like I'm floating on a cloud. The radio plays some pop song about new beginnings after a breakup, and for once, I don't roll my eyes at the cheesy lyrics. What are the chances?

I unlock our apartment door to find Tessa sprawled on the couch in her unicorn pajamas, scrolling through her phone.

"Well?" She sits up, practically vibrating with excitement. "How was it? Did you make bank? Did you meet any hot guys? Spill the tea!"

I flop down beside her, kicking off my heels. "It was incredible. And look-" I fan out the cash. "This is just from one night."

"Holy shit!" She snatches a bill, holding it up to the light. "From tips?"

"Mostly. And get this - I actually enjoyed it. Like, really enjoyed it. My trainer is amazing. She's like this cocktail-making goddess who doesn't take shit from anyone."

"I saw your fire selfie! Your Instagram post is blowing up, by the way. Chandler's probably crying into his trust fund right now."

I laugh, pulling my hair free from its clip. "You know what? I don't even care anymore. I feel... I don't know. Alive?"

"That's because you're finally doing something for yourself instead of trying to please everyone else." Tessa pokes my side. "Also, black and mysterious suits you. We're definitely going shopping for more work clothes."

"I can't wait to go back tomorrow." I hug a throw pillow tightly. "Is that weird? Being excited about work?"

"Nope. That's called finding your groove, baby." She grins. "Now spill more details. I need to live vicariously through your speakeasy adventures.”

After half an our of recounting the night’s events and catching up on Gossip girl reruns, I head to bed ... looking forward to tomorrow.

6

COREY

"Dammit!"

My phone chimes for the fourth time in ten minutes, disrupting my concentration on Seth's quarterly projections. The numbers blur together on the conference room screen as another buzz echoes against the mahogany table.

Seth pauses mid-sentence, raising an eyebrow. "Someone's popular."

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