Page 7 of Fragile Twisted Vows

I remove myself from the table and walk to grab my suit jacket. When I slide it on and head for the door, her heels click angrily against the floor as she marches up to me and grabs me.

I turn then, giving her a very lethal, and angry stare as she swallows nervously while I dust her frail hand from my suit.

That’s right, princess. I’m in control here. I always have been.

“You got what you wanted. Now don’t show your face here again. That’s a warning,” I say in a low, gravelly tone.

Her mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water, but I don’t stick around to listen to any other useless words she might have for me. I walk out of the loft and slam the door in her face.

I dial Bruno as I walk down the hall and step into the elevator.

“Yes, boss,” he says as I descend down to the main floor.

“I have an assignment for you,” I say. The elevator makes it to the lobby, Lucille Fairchild and her innocent face now fully on my mind and my agenda.

three

Lucy

Okay, so I work at a sex club.

And that’s the only reason why my best friend Jenni is pissed at me as I walk into the living room of her apartment.

Not because of the coffee stain on her silk, wrap dress, but because I’m choosing to go bartend at a sex club instead of going out to celebrate her engagement.

“I’m sorry, Jenni. But I need the money. I didn’t get another job today and I’ve got to find a place ASAP. And I’m also sorry for the dress.” I grimace as she sighs and pulls me down onto the same couch that I’ve been sleeping on for three years.

“You know I can ask Doug for you to come with us. You don’t have to be on your own. I’m always here to help,” she says as she leans her head on my shoulder.

I’m not going to be the reason her fiancé leaves her. I’ve been a burden for too many people all of my life. I won’t do it to her either.

“I’m not going to third wheel it and be the mooch on your guest bed while you plan a wedding and finally move in with the love of your life, Jen. I can’t do it and it wouldn’t be a good, friendly thing for me to do when I’m supposed to be the one supporting you and helping you through one of the happiest moments of your life.” I sigh as I smooth her silky black hair from her face.

Jenni Lee is one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met, both in and out. Her parents are Korean immigrants and have pushed her to become a doctor since she was a child. And even though her dream was to be an actress, when her mom got cancer, she continued down the path she laid out for her. And now, she’s going into med school. She’s getting married. She’s living the life her mother always hoped for her to have, and I can’t be the one to hold her back from that. I won’t be.

“I’m sorry I can’t make it tonight, but I will ask Bob if I can either get off early so we can celebrate when you get back here, or I’ll get someone to cover half of my shift tomorrow, either way, I’ll figure something out. Promise,” I say as I hold my pinkie up for her.

She smiles against my shoulder and takes it.

“I don’t care about you not making it or the coffee stain on the dress, you know. I care about your wellbeing, Lucy. You’re tired. Exhausted even. I don’t want you to continue down this path when you deserve so much more.” She sighs.

“Tell that to the bitch at Fleur de Femme,” I groan and she shoots up immediately.

“What happened?” She frowns and I sink into the couch and stare at the ceiling.

“Well, for starters, she threw my resume out as soon as I left the counter. And second…I ran into someone,” I say, swallowing tightly as my sister’s beautiful ex-husband invades my mind once more.

“Who?” she asks, and I look at her from the corner of my eye.

“Damien. Damien Reed,” I say and she gasps, her small hands covering her mouth as her new, solitaire diamond engagement ring stares me right in the face.

I don’t know why, but the sight of it makes me want to cry. And not because I’m happy for my best friend, but because I’m selfish. Selfish and miserable and wondering why my life led me here when all I ever wanted to be was good, when all I ever tried to be was good.

“Megan’s Damien?” she says in mock horror.

“The one and only,” I say, and she rolls her eyes and drops her hands.

“Lucy, who gives a shit. He’s her ex-husband and that bitch has done nothing for you anyway. Good riddance to them both,” she says, but I fall silent and she stares at me.

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