Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
“Thank you for listening,” she says.
“I’ll always listen to you.” Something flashes in her eyes, and she leans in, presses her lips to mine, and quickly pulls back.
“Help me off. I have to finish my shift,” Lissie says, and I do as she asks, lifting her back up. She leans forward with her hands on my shoulders as I place her back on her feet.
“Milo,” she says, stepping away from my grasp.
“Yes, Elizabeth?” I smile at her.
“I look forward to using that bike for more than riding.” She winks and turns, running back toward the bar.
Axe starts laughing. “You’re in trouble” is the only thing he says as I start my bike, and I don’t bother agreeing with him.
Because I was in trouble the moment I first fucking saw her.
Chapter 28
Lissie
“Drunk dial?”
Idon’t tell Letti about Cody showing up at the bar.
I figure it’s not her problem.
She’s already been the best friend I could ever have hoped for.
I bought a new phone last week, and she is the only person with the number, besides work and my lawyer. I prefer it that way.
“It’s your birthday tomorrow,” Letti mentions as she hands me another black dress.
“You already got me a dress, remember?” She smiles and claps her hands. “I know, but my love language is giving gifts, so if you tell me you don’t want it, it will hurt my feelings.” I see a twinkle in her eyes as she says it.
“Are you sure your love language isn’t bribery?” I throw back, laughing as I examine the dress.
“When was the last time you went out for a girls’ night and simply had fun?” she asks. I stare down at the dress and go quiet. “There’s this club in town that serves mean cocktails, and I plan to try every one of them.” She goes on, asking while peering down at her shoes, “What’s your favorite cocktail?” She’s wearing a tiny pink dress and black heels. Honestly, she looks so stinking cute with her blonde hair in curls and her perfect smile.
“I haven’t ever really had a cocktail… or a girls’ night,” I finally say.
Her head jerks up, eyes going wide. “What? Okay, well, that works out perfectly. You and I are celebrating. No men allowed.” She nods as if that’s an order. “Now, go and get dressed so we can head out. The party has already started.”
I beam at her words and walk into my bedroom. Yes, it’s mine. It feels so weird to have a safe space of my own and food whenever I want. That one is my favorite, particularly not having to rely on a man to know when I can have my next meal.
After slipping on the dress, I grab a pair of heels—the twin to the pair Milo has at his house—and smirk as I slide them on.
I’ve managed to save a few thousand dollars and have started paying rent, even though Letti told me everything is already paid for. This place was her auntie’s apartment before she moved somewhere else, so it’s basically free.
As I step out of my room, Letti claps, then hands me a shot glass and smiles. “Let’s have the best night,” she says.
I look at the shot glass and grimace before I take it from her hand. The last time I was fucked-up, I told myself I would never do it again. A few drinks here and there is no big deal, but my being on drugs and alcohol led me to make the wrong decisions.
Seeing the look on my face, Letti says, “Lissie, you don’t have to drink if you don’t like it.”
“It’s not that.” I hand her back the glass. “I’ve just never felt safe before,” I say, shrugging.
Letti’s eyes go soft, and she throws her arms around me. “We can always have fun without alcohol.”
“No, I want to. I feel safe with you. And you know I have a few drinks now and then… I had some at Milo’s. I just never let myself get drunk anymore. Well, blackout drunk,” I say, grinning as she releases me.
“You’re safe with me, and I will drink less if you want to drink more. Or we can not drink at all. I’m good either way, as long as we get out there and shake our asses.” She shimmies her hips as she says it.
I laugh at her and agree.
Tonight sounds like a great plan.
We drink way more than we probably should, but it’s a good night, nonetheless. At first, I held back, unsure and cautious, but Letti has this vibe about her. She makes you feel safe and secure and doesn’t put pressure on you to be someone you aren’t. And after a few hours, we’re both dancing the night away. Though, when she gets drunk, all she wants to talk about is my relationship with Milo. I don’t really know what to say because Milo and I aren’t a thing. Yes, he is the only man to ever make me second guess everything, and my feelings for him may run deeper than I anticipated, but there is still no ‘Milo and me’ as such.