Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 90448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Holy shit. He must’ve hacked into my computer somehow.
Last month, during my job search phase, I would play online to pass the time while I waited for callbacks or email responses from interviews. I’d spent many hours on an online game called “House Design” where the person could create and plan a make believe place to live in. Standing in the apartment Chase provided for me, my living room captured my online game’s design to every small detail.
“How did he get into my computer?” I asked.
“Someone did it for him. It was during the process of learning about you,” Lucy said.
A shaggy plum carpet rested on the floor. A chocolate brown couch and loveseat surrounded a black coffee table which was done up in four inch cubes that jutted in and out in an elaborate design. An oil painting of my favorite fantasy characters hung on the wall above my couch.
I knew before I checked that a flat screen TV was on the wall across from the couch. Framed photos of my mom, nieces, brothers, Benny, and Vivian all sat on a shelf. On the other shelf were loads of candles.
Goodness. He even figured out I have an addiction to scented candles.
“Where did the photos come from?” I asked.
“I don’t know.” Lucy shrugged. “Chase works with a team to put our apartments together. My place was different. We designed it together.”
“Why?” I watched Mabel go into an all-white kitchen.
Pictures of sunflowers hung everywhere. A huge amber vase full of sunflowers stood on the counter by the sink.
He even learned my favorite flower.
“I think there’s medicine in this cabinet.” Mabel opened it.
“Well, decorating my place was different because of my past. Some of the tiniest reminders of my life can take me to a . . . place I don’t want to go,” Lucy admitted. “So he wanted to make sure nothing freaked me out.”
“You and Chase have been close for a long time?” I stood in the middle of this apartment, not ready to sit down or move in too much. The experience was too unsettling. I felt like my private life had been invaded. Sure Chase’s intentions were good, maybe, but it was too much for me.
“Our fathers were friends,” Lucy mumbled. “But I don’t want to talk about that.”
I faced her. “Okay.”
Lucy stared at the floor.
“You said Chase’s mother was killed. How?”
“No one knows.” Lucy’s fingers shook. “Chase found her.”
“Oh my god.” I covered my mouth. “So—”
“I don’t want to talk about any of this.” Lucy lifted her head. “Today is already a bit depressing with everyone fighting and being pissed. We can talk about it another day.”
“I could only find Tylenol,” Mabel called out from the kitchen. “There’s ginger ale in the fridge. That could help.”
I waved her away. “No thanks. I think I’d rather have a drink.”
“There’s no liquor in here,” Mabel said.
“Wendy has some,” Lucy offered.
“No.” I scanned the room, ready to escape it. “I think I’m going to head off to a bar. I’ll probably grab something to eat there, too. You want to come?”
“Definitely!” Lucy clapped. “Sounds like a girls’ night.”
Yippee! Now I can’t escape Lucy either. Oh well, might as well start a party.
“Mabel?” I glanced over my shoulder. “You want to come? Food and drinks on me.”
She exchanged glances with Lucy and said, “No, ma’am. I’ll be here until you return.”
“Take the night off.” I rushed out of the apartment.
“A-alright,” Mabel said.
I pulled out my phone and dialed Vivian’s number.
“Hello, stranger,” she said after the third ring.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Laying in bubbly bath water with your hot brother.” She laughed.
Troy’s chuckles drifted from the phone.
“Ick. I hate you.” I headed to the stairs.
“I’ll ask Wendy if she wants to come!” Lucy speed-walked in the other direction.
Oh great. Now the wineglass-throwing girlfriend can join us, too.
“What’s up, Jasmine? How was France? Or are you still there?” Vivian asked.
“I’m back in Oshane. I’m staying with Chase,” I muttered.
“And his girlfriends?” Her voice went up an octave and I heard a splash.
I groaned.
“What?” I heard my brother say.
“I need a drink. Do you feel like meeting me downtown?” I asked. “I need to be around you for an hour and see if my head is clear.”
“You sound weird,” Vivian said.
“I feel weird.”
“Okay. Let’s meet at Juniors.”
“Sounds good, but just you. I can’t tell you what I want to say if Troy is around. He’ll just kidnap and lock me somewhere far away from Chase.”
“Whereas I would just do that to Chase.” Vivian giggled. “I still have my meat grinder, you know.”
Lucy and Wendy stepped into the hallway.
“Not funny, Vivian.” I headed down the stairs. “Oh yeah. I’ll be bringing two of Chase’s girlfriends.”
“Oh goodie.” Vivian chuckled. “I can’t wait to meet them.”
Chapter 23
Girls’ Night Out
“We’re just dedicated to Chase.” Wendy stirred her pink iced drink with a straw. The waiter had told us it was called a Pinky Panty Pull-down. “I know it’s difficult to understand, but he’s a man of many needs.”