Page 18 of Rival Desires

So there I was, stuck on the second-floor landing, huffing and puffing with the world’s perkiest neighbor standing in my way.

Just peachy.

“Hey, you know what they say about all work and no play, right?” Becky chirped, closing the gap between us. “We've got to make room for some fun in there! Me? I’m all about swimming. In fact, I’m heading to the pool this very minute. Do you want to join the party?”

Mustering my best friendly grin, I replied, “Thanks, but I’ve got a to-do list longer than Rapunzel’s hair. Plus, I’m fresh out of swimming trunks.”

She leaned in, practically whispering in my ear. “Little secret between you and me: swim trunks are totally optional around here. Some guys just dive right in wearing their boxers.”

Cue the deer-in-headlights look. What’s the appropriate response to that? Fury would’ve had a witty retort at the ready, but me? I just stood there, looking like a lost puppy.

“Well, it’s been a pretty exhausting day,” I eventually blurted out. “I think I’ll just eat and crash tonight.”

Becky’s smile wavered for a moment before rebounding with renewed vigor. “Alright, but if you have a change of heart, I’ll be at the pool. Feel free to join me, whatever you’re wearing.”

She flashed me a cheeky wink and moved aside, letting me scurry up the stairs. Turns out, stairwells could be a hotbed of social interaction. Who knew?

As I finally entered my apartment, I closed the door and savored the blessed silence. I would’ve given my left pinky for it to be the weekend. Even if I had to trudge into the office, at least I could’ve enjoyed some sweet solitude with everybody off.

But with Fury still MIA, the entire responsibility-laden world was squarely on my shoulders.

I beelined for the kitchen, desperately craving a drink- hell, maybe even two. Or three- whatever it took to dull the edge of this rollercoaster day.

TWELVE

Rylee

I was itching for a breather - a wild night filled with giggles and cocktails. Natalie was the perfect sidekick for this kind of escapade. She finally managed to dodge the sniffles for a week, and there she was, sitting right next to me. If she hadn’t chosen to sculpt second-graders minds, she could have easily been a supermodel strutting down the catwalk. With her effortlessly cool blond curls and captivating hazel eyes speckled with green, she was a total head-turner. Hanging out with her sometimes made me feel like a drab wallflower, but Nat? She was oblivious to her own knockout looks and would brush off compliments like they were no big deal.

“You smile a lot,” I blurted out after polishing off my second margarita.

Natalie raised an eyebrow. “Well, I’ve got plenty to be happy about.”

I gazed into my now-empty glass. “That must be nice. I wouldn’t mind having a few more reasons to smile.”

“You’ve had a rough year,” Nat reminded me. “But your new business is taking off, right?”

I glanced at my glass, contemplating the merits of scraping the last drop with my finger.

“Things are looking up,” I confirmed. “Hired some new staff, landed a few accounts. If only those jackasses at Gracen & McCrae hadn’t messed with my groove.”

“Another finance firm?”

I nodded, signaling the bartender. Since I was taking a cab home, there was no need to hold back on the drinks.

“Those Gracen & McCrae cousins are sneaky if you ask me. Especially one of them.”

“Sneaky in what way?”

I took a gulp of my newly served margarita. “Remember that hunk I told you about from the masquerade ball?”

“The one you haven’t stopped talking about for the last week?” Nat sipped her drink, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “How could I possibly forget?”

I let out a deep sigh. “Ran into him again.”

Her eyes widened, curiosity piqued. “Did you two...you know?”

Her teacher-like tone kicked in. She carefully avoided sex words, which I usually found endearing. But now, with a few drinks in me, it was downright hilarious.

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