t of my apartment building, head leaning against my car seat. I'm stress

nlock my car, with the cake and my handbag in my right hand and

as I step inside and press my floor button. The elevator rides up as I lean against the wall, tapping

." I

." A masculin

look up. Tyler stands in front of me, d

say, plastering

g back from work."

ea

uys having

e are probably gonna have a girls' night together, nothing big." I

k to you for a while now and I know you're busy with

ps, feigning disappoin

y?" He asks, lick

r, stepping to the left, but he m

t out of my

his fingers through his h

building, right on my floor. I don't know the type of job he does and it has never crossed my mind. He goes out in the morning someti

lways stops me and tries to start a conversation which is always awkward. Tyler is attractive, but he's not my type. And like I said,

nd push it open. I step inside the ap

er. Monique isn't supposed to be at home until 8

e sound of my name, my heart

, what t

the things in my hand. "Oh, Ro

nd and head toward the kitc

you won't be back until 8." I say,

she leans her arms on the counter, he

mile on her lips as she reaches forward

tta tell me what you

y. It's my b

gonna light up a candle and yo

irst?" Monique asks, gig

ock yours

dy flattered try

uge." I wave her off, walking to t

rip out the wrap. As dramatic as always, she slowly picks up the

she places it on her left palm. "Oh, my god, Robbie. You bought

l, you won't shut up abo

n an embrace. "You're a darling. I mean I l

okay. It's

ot just a gift. This is what I've been secretly admiring and this cos

's your birthday prese

hugs me again. "Thank you

m starving. Is ther

keeping back the nec

I just entered not too lo

I'll jus

r in the hallway?" Monique asks,

at's th

ng him a shot. I mean I know he lives in our building, and you're the las

fucking serial killer.

ously? You're the only person who'

n that will cheat on you and break your heart, Tyler

ower. And I mean it when I say Tyler creeps me the fuck out. He's

ters. "Also, you're not gonna

ha

How I've been modeling for Didi & M

I kno

the type, right? There are gonna be important people there. Well, my publicist talked to the p

sh

chuckles. "You

your birthday, we are doing

ties like this, but I'm glad we are doing

t yet I don't trust the wor

ely going t

ute I came here, I tried to stay away from parties like that so I wouldn't accidentally bump into a colleague of my parents or an acquaintance. Monique and I fr

rent and a part of me is t

tted my new identity. It had everything I wanted and it was just perfect. I wanted a roommate, someone I co

it happened yesterday. Monique was sitting close to the translucent window as she toyed with her cup of coffee while constantly staring

ur. We'd talked and I asked her about her bag, joking about her being a tourist, but she laughed and said she just got into town and she was

ards of her in every corner of the city. I've never been this proud of someone else's achievement before. Monique is beautiful, a bit taller than me by three or four inches, compared to my 5'6 frame. Her skin, unlike my olive skin, is

parties isn't part of

I ask Monique, pulling o

. We have to look

orn since I got them. I could pick one from the flock." I flash Mo

t for a dress. I'm sure there

. "You're serious?" I

throwing her hands in

g. What are the kind of peo

what I mean." Monique wraps her slender arm around my shoulder. "You're gonn

e like you like to put it. I just don't like being in the same room as thes

In a way rich people act

roan, heading toward my bedroo

ually get some tonight," Monique s

?" I ask, crossing my arms as

ow what I mean

king up with

u're not a baby, Robyn. And in case you

by choice." An

That coochie needs so

ie, by the way?" I ask, c

er arms crossed as she stares at me like

a man. Why does everybo

second and thought about why

I fucking hate this convers

man, Monique. You're

ice. You know I've

retty ugly the minut

ing judg

t need a man. I'm happy the way I am." I glar

sation," Monique says as I unlo

I am." I say and shut

u

get someone, even if it's a side-piece." Monique sa

que Palmer! And stay ou

cut things off. He didn't cheat, in fact, he was too loyal. I was always absent in our relationship because I was trying to graduate

urt him. So I had to tell him we needed to stop seeing each other. He didn't try to inquire why I was breaking up with him, it was as

amien ever since

ek pleasure from men now and then. But I think otherwise. And ever since I broke things off with Damien, I haven't bothered to date anyone. I have hooked up with a few m

m not prepared for. After what happened back in Italy, I am not ready to risk