Page 236 of Damaged Mogul
“I take that back,” Nads says. “He isn’t an asshole. He’s a dick. He says things that erode your self-confidence, but you’re a strong woman.”
I square my shoulders and take in a fortifying breath. “You’re right. He’s a dick.”
“Now you’re talking.”
Nads lifts a hand in the air.
I high five it.
“As for the work permit, you forget who my father is. My daddy outranks your daddy.” She grins wide. “I’m sure he can pull some strings to find an employer willing to hire you.”
I smile. “You’re a goodfriend.”
She grabs both my hands into hers. “Before the sisterhood, I was your person, and I’ll always be your person. Your ride or die.”
“My ride or die—” A thought slams into me and my face contorts.
“What is it? Are you feeling ill?”
“I’m sick to my stomach knowing that I won’t be in contact with Michaela and the girls anymore. I love those women, but I don’t want to keep in touch with them. I don’t want details of Gage and the love of his life.”
Her lips twist. “Men are shit.”
“Yes, they are.”
Nadine drops her gaze to my breakfast. “Since you don’t have much of an appetite, let’s go out for a walk. It’ll do you some good.”
“Okay.”
“Do you want to take these with us for later? You might be in the mood once you get some fresh air.”
High-quality pastries that will end up in the trash.
It would be sacrilege.
“Good idea,” I say.
“Be right back.”
Nadine rushes to the counter. She’s back in a flash.
She stuffs the pastries in a box and puts them in a bag. We gather our things, and we’re off.
When we step outside, the sun is shining bright.
Early June in Paris is idyllic.
For the past three days I’ve been living in an eclipse even though it’s been sunny in New York, the images of the video of Gage and the woman he loves looping over and over in my mind.
No matter how many times I will myself to forget all about the tall, brooding man with mesmerizing green eyes who rarelysmiles—but when he does, the world lights up—he invariably pops into my mind. It’s like being thrust into a nightmare all over again. Shy of a lobotomy, I’m not sure how to make it stop.
It should be easy to forget him. After all, he was never going to be mine. His empty promises were as hollow as a barrel. Still, he has a hold of my heart, and I’m not sure how to forget him or the way he made me feel.
Sigh.
Nads laces her arm with mine. “What do you want to do now?”
“Nothing that requires me to be around too many people. I felt claustrophobic during the flight over. I’ve never felt like that before.”
