Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Even crazier, I think it could be fun to have two such men in my life. Or three. Or four. Who knows? Being poly is the thing these days and I feel like I’d love to have two gorgeous men waiting for me at home. But that’s the thing - home is now so different from my college days.
Just a few months ago, I'd go home to a tiny, shared apartment that was always buzzing with life given that it housed four 20-something girls. Kayleigh's terrible singing in the shower, Andie's endless collection of herbal teas, Mary Kate's frantic pre-date outfit changes. Our laughter would echo off the thin walls, a constant, chaotic symphony of friendship and shared experiences. But then they all moved out, one by one, drawn into the gravitational pull of their new relationships. And now I'm back in my father's mansion, rattling around in rooms that are too big, too quiet, too pristine. The silence there is a physical thing, a weight that settles on my chest and makes it hard to breathe. Sure my dad and Andie live there too, but they have a separate wing, and I hardly see them. Besides, I want them to have their privacy because my dad and Andie are lovebirds and the non-stop sex sounds would probably make me barf.
"Still staring wistfully out the window, Stella?" Chloe's voice cuts through my thoughts. "Waiting for your prince to ride up on a white horse and rescue you from this cashmere prison?"
I turn, a bright, practiced smile already on my lips. "Please, Chloe. If a prince showed up, he'd have to be on a Vespa. And he'd better be bringing coffee." I toss my hair, a gesture so familiar it's almost involuntary. "I'm not waiting for anyone. I'm perfectly happy on my own."
Chloe grins, unimpressed. "Sure you are. That's why you've rearranged that same rack three times today."
I laugh, a light, airy sound that doesn't quite reach my eyes.
"Just trying to maintain the high standards of Nicolette. You know Miriam. She can be a bitch."
As I turn back to the rack, I feel a slight tightening in my jaw, a tension I try to release with a slow, deliberate breath. My fingers trace the soft, expensive fabric of the cardigans, a tangible comfort in the face of a hollow feeling that's been growing inside me for months. The rest of my shift passes in a blur of customers and small talk, the constant buzz of my phone a reminder of a world I'm not quite a part of anymore.
Finally, six o'clock rolls around. I say my goodbyes to Chloe, grab my tote bag, and head for the door. The little brass bell above it jingles softly as I pull it shut behind me. I take a deep breath of the cool evening air, the scent of rain and pavement a welcome change from the cloying sweetness of the boutique. I’m free, finally. I adjust the strap of my tote on my shoulder and start walking, the click of my heels on the cobblestones the only sound in the encroaching darkness. The streetlights flicker on, casting a warm, yellow glow on the empty street ahead of me.
I pull my phone out, not to check for messages, but to call a car. My father's mansion is too far to walk, and I don't feel like navigating the bus system in this mood. As I wait for the car to arrive, I find myself scrolling through my photos, landing on one from last summer. It's the four of us, me, Kayleigh, Mary Kate, and Andie, squished together on a blanket at the park. We're all laughing, our faces sun-kissed and carefree. I'm in the middle, my arms thrown around Kayleigh and Andie, my head thrown back in a fit of genuine, unadulterated joy. I barely recognize the girl in the picture. She looks so light. So unburdened.
The car pulls up, a sleek black sedan that blends seamlessly into the night. I slide into the back seat, the cool leather a stark contrast to the warmth of my own skin. The driver, a middle-aged man with a kind face, nods at me in the rearview mirror. "Evening, miss."
"Evening," I reply, my voice softer than I intended. I confirm the address, and we pull away from the curb, the city lights blurring into a kaleidoscope of color outside the window. I lean my head against the cool glass, the steady rhythm of the car a lulling, almost hypnotic sensation. My phone buzzes again, and I know, without even looking, that it's another string of heart emojis from Andie, or another picture of the ring from Mary Kate, or another update from Kayleigh about Trevor's adorable puppy-like snores. I ignore it. I close my eyes, and for a moment, I let myself pretend I'm somewhere else. Somewhere with someone else. Someone with broad shoulders and a kind smile. Someone who's waiting for me to come home. Two someones, if I’m being frank.