Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
My chest tightens because suddenly, I know I want Petunia to get pregnant with my baby. But with so much hanging in the balance, how can I tell her the truth? I suppose my past has to come out sooner or later, but a pit forms in my stomach at the knowledge because the revelation isn’t going to be pretty, and I dread the day that it happens.
8
PETUNIA
One week later.
I’m visiting Lark at her new digs as she whines about her parents.
“OMG, the ‘rents suck so much. They want me to go to college instead of working at Sanctum. I mean, can you imagine it? Me, at Manhattan Community College with a backpack and a laptop? I think not.”
I cluck my tongue.
“Well, it kind of makes sense, Larky. We’re not the academic type, but our parents still want best for us. But I’m surprised that you even told them about what you do.”
Lark merely continues to paint her nails a ravishing shade of ruby.
“Well, I didn’t want to lie. Besides, how was I going to explain the money? I just got myself the newest Balenciaga bag, and you know those things run in the thousands. Plus, my parents aren’t dumb. They know I’m shopping at fancy places now, and not the local Target and Goodwill anymore.”
I nod.
“So exactly what happened after you told them about Sanctum?”
Lark finally looks up while blowing on her nails.
“They kicked me out. They called me a whore and a slut and all sorts of names, but I don’t care. I mean, seriously.”
I shoot her a strange look.
“The slurs doesn’t hurt?”
Lark shrugs like it doesn’t matter, but I can tell my friend is upset, even if she’s not showing it.
“It does because my parents raised me, so it sucks that they’d turn their backs like this. But it’s fine,” she says in a strong voice. “I stayed at Sanctum headquarters for a little bit in one of their guest suites, and then I got this place. What do you think? Sanctum’s helping me pay for it until I get on my feet.”
I nod, taking in the spacious living arrangements, even if it’s a bit corporate.
“This is an extended stay apartment, right?”
Lark nods, grimacing at the bland artwork on the walls.
“Yeah, I guess the club knows management here, so they were able to help me wrangle this place for a below market price. But I want to move out because who can stomach the beige walls, beige carpet, and beige everything? Seriously, I’ll go crazy.”
I giggle.
“Well, just make sure you don’t eat beige food too.”
My buddy grins again.
“I just ate some waffles before you came over, so it’s too late for that. But enough about me. Tell me about this guy that you’ve been seeing lately,” she wiggles her brows at me. “He’s a client, right? And you met him at the pool?”
I nod.
“Yep, Nico. Actually, he saved me from drowning in the water,” I add in a droll tone. “Isn’t that hysterical?”
Lark sits up then, her brown eyes wide.
“Drowning? Hell no, that’s scary! Where was I while you were drowning, anyways? But I’m glad you didn’t die, girlfriend, because who would I chat with if not you?”
I merely laugh again.
“You were getting it on with that guy with the big you-know-what, remember? The one who came up to us right away, and you guys started making out like meerkats on speed.”
My buddy gets a crafty smile.
“Oh yeah, him. Hell, I couldn’t sit for a week after that, I was so sore. But how are things with this new dude? Nico, you said?”
I giggle.
“Yeah, and it’s going amazing, actually. Nico’s seriously so perfect that I can hardly believe it. I mean, he’s a Sanctum client, so he’s rich, handsome, and of course, the sex is incredible. I feel really lucky.”
Lark nods and pauses.
“I’m happy that you’re happy,” she says in a careful tone. “But you know what they say. If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.”
I stare at her.
“What do you mean?”
She shrugs, looking down at her red nails again.
“I don’t know, Petunia. I mean, how long have you known Nico? And how much do you really know about this guy?”
I stare at her.
“I know plenty,” I say in a somewhat frigid tone. “In fact, Nico’s also the CEO of the company where I work. You know, Key Largo, out in Jersey? He’s a shipping magnate.”
Lark nods.
“Okay, that’s good. But you know how these billionaires are. They’re shady. I’m not saying that Nico’s shady per se, but just be careful, girlfriend. I mean, did you do a background check?”
I snort.
“Of course not, because Sanctum already did that for us!”
Lark rolls her eyes.
“No, I don’t mean a formal criminal check or anything like that. I mean, just googling him. You’d be surprised at what’s out there.”