Page 11 of Dark Temptations

“I don’t want to find one right now. Can you guys accept that?”

“Yes, but we still want to spend time with you. We can have dinner once a week. How does that sound?”

Ariana liked Macy’s idea. “That sounds perfect.”

“Then we’ll meet you tomorrow night at The Treemont,” Macy suggested.

“That’s wonderful. I’ll meet you there at about seven?” she asked.

“Perfect. We’ll see you tomorrow then,” Kelly said.

“Bye, guys.” Ariana hung up and then plugged in her phone.

Her body relaxed into the mattress, and she pulled the blanket up her shoulders. She turned on her side to look out her bedroom window at the sky. Sleep that had been next to impossible a few minutes ago was drawing her down.

She guessed the fact she had concrete plans that she would actually enjoy this time made her feel more optimistic about the future.

If she never saw Xavier again? Her life was full of the center she worked for, her friends, and her family. That was more than most people had. The fact that she never had to worry about money made her life easier and gave her more opportunities than someone who lived paycheck to paycheck.

Maybe she’d talk to her friends about going on a vacation soon. They could plan it together and see the places they’d only talked about. She smiled. Her life was perfect the way it was, and she wouldn’t let a man make her sad for one moment longer. If it were meant to be, it would happen.

Chapter Five

The restaurant doorman opened the door for Ariana to walk through. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Miss. Veronica will help you now.”

Ariana walked up to the pretty lady. “Hello, I’m meeting two friends here. I think the name is under Rogers.”

“Yes, they’re waiting at the table. Let me take you to them.”

“Thank you.”

Ariana followed the woman through the dim fancy restaurant. She waved at a couple she had known for years but continued to the table.

Macy and Kelly smiled, stood, and hugged her.

“I’m glad you suggested this, Kelly,” Ariana said.

The three sat down.

“May I get you something to drink?” the hostess asked.

“Yes. White wine would be lovely.”

“I’ll be right back with it,” the woman said.

“I thought it was me who came up with the idea,” Macy said.

“Oh, hell, here we go again,” Kelly said and rolled her eyes.

Ariana chuckled. “How about we give you both credit?”

They stopped arguing to look at her with frowns on their faces.

“What?” Ariana asked.

“You ruined a perfectly good fight between us,” Kelly said in a grumpy voice.

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