was like my psyche was shaking me to

friend, hadn't I? Get laid, and

ri

glance at him, I drew a stilling breath. He was the closest thing to perfect

ttered on the marbled floor. Then dressing as soundlessly as I could, before I ma

s was surreal. I felt something, don't know what it is, but it would have been nice to see it thro

ts. I'd thought about leaving a note, but decided that would be corny - an

ling it out, I glanced at the bli

t messa

e've a dinner dat

ut loud, slipping my ph

gainst the seat, the remnants of last night clinging to me like a lingering haze. Chris's

th her new billionaire fiancé. The reality of it all hit me like a splash of cold water. This was no

r smelled faintly of rain, and the early morning sun cast a soft glow over the buil

ng a tune as she prepped vegetables. She looked up when

," she said, wiping her hands on a dish

t before nodding. "Yeah

ht's a big deal. We're meeting Robert," she s

man who would soon be my st

against the counter. "I mean, i

I know this is a lot for you, but Robert wants to get

and nodded. "Okay, fine.

need to go prep up. Do some shoppi

don't have money f

ert has given me some

ing money from him?

ng to be my husban

Any other s

s son, so it'll be a

sidered that this new arrangement would come with

Mom said, shrugging. "I don't know much ab

nother reminder of how comp

said, pushing off the coun

is son loomed over me. I had no idea what to expect, but one th

xcitement was palpable, but I couldn't summon the same enthusiasm. Robert-her soon-to-be husband-w

ld likely drag me out for a "shopping spree" before the day was over. True to h

" she c

uttered under my breath b

egrudgingly picked out something suitable for dinner. She settled on a flowing, emerald-green gown that m

ncomfortable heels I'd probably regret later. We barely had enough time to squ