's Pers

off my lap, circling the table to sit beside his mother. She assisted h

uestioned, arc

issed the invite. I saw Nancy givin

l make you a deal. If you act

n at one of Richard Castro's parties, but

to reading the menu. "I have no inter

nterest in the world in showing

over the menu. "I

ed slowly, trying t

enu shut in my hands. "Something

im, but just knowing what he does..." Her eyes narro

my dear Shirley, mar

diff

ted a

rinned, turning t

d with a b

brother," I said to Kha

kled, brushing his hair out of his eyes. "Plus, your br

scoffed, rolling my eyes and taking

r's a good man," Shir

closing one eye to act like I aimed before I blew on my fingers and looked at Khan, winking. He gi

and live life around these kinds of people and still find a husband

alist," I

is nobody in this world better suited to me than your brother. I can't picture myself

lap, both of us pausing our conversation to place our orders. "

ers, ma'am. And sir," the guy smi

e and pouring some into Khan's sippy cup, securing it, a

creatures

me a poin

ck," I scoffe

emphasized. "I found a man,"

in my face one more tim

." After a long pause, she leaned forward with interest and curiosity swarming

't say any of them were gentleme

rd then? Since that's all I have to entertain myself these

y of that crap unless I'm forced to. And that means unle

y. "You know what

tinue. "Oh, tell me, please. I am dying of

u're no fun. Anyway, you kno

hat's why I'm as

Sarcasm is the lowest form

ll quote, my dear

what

o the ground and send all my belongings pouring out. I groaned in annoyance

est form of i

at finished my sentence, sending chills down my spine momentarily. My movements slowed to a st

glanced at me, his face giving nothing away, and then continu

hirley said, eating another brea

n't be

mie

and looked away from wh

.. ok

pping up my purse and

fano as he got in his car and th

shook

g about S

y," I chuck

whenever his

ow one thing about the man.

me a know

nger to me," I shrugged, "and I have no interest in getting involved with

he taunted, "he's tall, mysterious, and handso

ngry and really busy, so let's just eat and

she mused,

--　➴　

e tonight's party was, and I immediately wanted to dr

o be honest, sometimes, these things were pretty fun. Sometimes. I

I know Stefano

st told me that it was better to stay away from men like Stefano. Men who had power radiating off of them, who had every

ing much greater than money and I would probably end up paying for it

tled gasp when someone knocked on my window. Jumping upright, I looked out and saw Derek stand

spend the entire n

tally pr

re Mom and Dad find you. Unless you wa

and smoothed out my creamy champagne-white satin slip dress. It was a classy dress that stopped at the floor a

ehind, letting out a soft breath. "It's just one night. You're a

mie

they walked towards the entrance, locking their car behind the

incipessa," he chuckled, call

away the two loose strands I curled to frame my face while the rest of my hair was pulled back in a low bun. "How pre

re we followed my Dad inside the hotel and towa

d, my nose scrunching up

Mom nudged

me, I. Fucki