Page 11 of The Husband Contract
Jack stares at me with wide eyes, and I can tell that he’s shocked by my words. To be honest, so am I. But I am determined to show this anonymous woman what the real definition of heartbreak and betrayal is. She will think twice before ever manipulating another man again.
Chapter Three
Willow
“One of these days, I'm going to meet the love of my life, and he's going to be amazing," I shake the fluffy duvet on the queen-size bed and try not to think about all the obnoxious men I met at the Magnolia Club the previous evening. “And he will look at me like an equal, not some peasant. And he will sweep me off my feet.”
"I hope I meet someone, too," Katherine says as she dusts the window half-heartedly. This is the fourth room we’ve cleaned in the last hour, and we’re all feeling tired.
"Me three," Brielle says as she sprays the mirror and wipes it down enthusiastically with a dry cloth. "I don't want to be cleaning hotel rooms for the rest of my life."
“Or working two jobs.” I yawn, my body feeling exhausted from being on my feet for so long the previous night. “I don’t know how long I’m going to be able to traveldown to Manhattan in the afternoons for this job, especially if I’m not going to get any of the tips.”
“I know. I’m not loving the waitress job at the burger joint either.” Brielle stares at her reflection in the now-shiny mirror. “I feel like you can see the oil seeping out of my pores.” She rubs her forehead. “They should rename that place the Grease Joint.”
“Ha ha, I feel that. They should rename the Magnolia Club, The Snobs Dine Here Club.” I giggle. “I know rich people don’t have time for the help, but I didn’t realize just how rude some of them could be. It was horrible. If I’m ever super rich, I will treat everyone with kindness and respect.”
“Were they really horrible?” Brielle asks, making a face and scrunching her nose. “Like capitalistic pigs?”
“I mean, no,” I admit truthfully. “They weren’t mean like that, but I could tell that I wasn’t really seen, you know? And then that one guy who thought I was going through his pocket. He nearly got me fired. Then he was going on like he thought I knew who he was. And I never heard of the man before in my life.”
“You said he was cute though, right?” Katherine asks, and I can’t help but think about him.
“I mean, cute is not the right adjective. Gorgeous. Sexy. Charismatic.” I laugh. “He seemed like a jerk, but he was one of the best-looking men I’ve ever seen in my life. He was tall, with dark hair, dark eyes, juicy lips...” I pause as Katherine and Brielle stare at me with goofy expressions on their faces. “Look, he sucked, but I can appreciate a good-looking man.” I laugh. “I wouldn’t marry the man, but hey, one hot night in bed.” I wink at them. “He sure looked like he knew how to move what he was working with.”
“Perv.” Brielle giggles and sits down on the side of the mattress. “Don’t tell Clark Kent that you wanna bang somebillionaire from your new job, though. You might not get a second date.”
“I’m not dumb.” I take a seat next to her, even though that means I’ll have to redo the bed. “I really hope he’s nice. I’m a little nervous to meet him.”
“Oh no, why?”
“I don’t know. Just sometimes when I talk to him, something seems a bit off.”
“I bet it’s just ‘cause you haven’t met yet.” Katherine sits on the bed, as well. Her long, straight black hair bounces next to her cheek as she flops on the bed. “I bet once you meet him in person, sparks will fly.”
“Hopefully not lightsaber sparks.” I laugh and lean back onto the bed. I’m staring up at the ceiling now, and I feel Katherine and Brielle lean back, as well, our shoulders side by side as we all take a small break.
“Hopefully he’s not Darth Vader,” Brielle says with a giggle. “Hopefully, he’s amazing and has two brothers for me and Kat. Now that would be cool.”
“Imagine if we married brothers.” Katherine holds her hands up in the air. “We’d really be sisters then.”
“That would be cool.” I acknowledge. “But let’s not be too hopeful. I haven’t even been on the first date yet.” A deep yawn escapes me, and I close my eyes. “Do you think we’ll ever raise enough money to actually buy our own hotel and do this for ourselves?” I yawn again, and I can feel sleep wanting to take over. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful that Charlotte lets us run the place, but?—”
“She stole our dream and makes us do all the work.” Brielle’s voice is cold. She and Katherine both hate Charlotte and my aunt. “She had no interest in owning a bed and breakfast, and yet, she decides to buy this one.”
“She totally did it to rub our faces in it.” Katherinenods. “We’re good enough to clean and work here, but not good enough to have any real say.”
“I know.” I open my eyes and look at my two friends. “At least she’s barely here, though. And when we finally have enough, we will own our own place.”
We’re all silent as we think about achieving that dream. We've been best friends since we were five years old, and frankly, I don't know what I would've done without Katherine and Brielle in my life.
"I love you girls, and I just want to tell you that when I'm rich and famous, I will still love you."
"Oh, shut up," Katherine says, giggling. “But I will remind you of that statement when you’re balling.”
"Do you think we'll ever have enough money to buy our own hotel?" Brielle says, her voice cracking.
I look over at her, into her hazel green eyes, and nod. "I believe it in my heart. One day, we will."
