Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 89840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Oh. Right. I was meant to be working, not ogling my ex-boyfriend. I cut my eyes to Dominic, who gave me a sympathetic smile. And there it was. His pity. I was simply the waitress, and he was some bigshot. I scribbled down their orders then rushed toward the kitchen to put them in.
I didn’t bother speaking casually to Dominic or asking him how he’d been after that—not that I could anyway. He and John were heavily in conversation each time I stopped by. John would pin his eyes on me every time I attempted to approach, like he didn’t want to be interrupted, so I backed off when necessary. Whatever they were discussing was clearly not to be heard by anyone. I suppose I didn’t need to speak to Dominic too much anyway. I noticed the wedding band on his finger as he ate. It shined as sunset rays made their appearance through the restaurant and practically blinded me as I topped off their waters.
Dominic and John paid for their food, then they left.
I thought I’d never see my ex-boyfriend again until I spotted the signed receipt from their table. On it was a phone number and beneath that number were the words, CALL ME.
FOUR
JOLENE
One thing I love about my best friend Daphne’s house is how normal and lived-in it is. As I pull into her driveway, I can’t help staring at the ranch home. It seems so simple from the outside, with the golden oak shutters and white exterior. The hedges are trimmed, the lawn perfectly manicured, and bushes with white roses cling to the house. Every detail of Daphne’s house from the exterior to the interior was created by her and her husband. They had this home built from scratch. They are a duo, who do everything together with passion and love. And that’s why I’m happy to be visiting them today.
I step out with my purse, shutting the door behind me and walking to the porch. As I knock, I hear a whirring noise and peer up at the camera built in above the door. My eyes shift to the left, and another camera hides in an artificial plant.
The door swings open and my best friend Daphne Bailey-Juarez stands on the other side, a goddess in all her beauty. Her makeup is simple, but perfect on her light brown skin. Her natural hair has clearly been braided out to support the sleek crinkles. She wears gold eyeshadow and highlighter that makes her skin pop.
She spreads her arms in the poofy-sleeved sienna maxi dress, enveloping me in a hug. She smells of expensive vanilla and amber perfume as I hug her back. I forget how I can wrap one arm all the way around her. Daphne is so thin. It’s natural to her, and I always feel a pang of envy about it.
“JoJo,” she croons over my shoulder. “Thank you for letting me see your pretty face today. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too.” I sigh, holding her a few seconds longer. It’s been several weeks since I last saw her. Work has kept me busy, as well as Dominic’s campaign.
Daphne steps back, gesturing inside the house. “Come in, come in.” I step inside, immediately coming out of my heels and placing them against the wall.
“So, I know you said only coffee this morning, but I couldn’t help popping over to Mirren’s for chocolate croissants.” She grins as she rounds a corner and enters a spacious kitchen. The kitchen is all marble and chrome, with orange dahlias in a crystal vase on the island countertop to add a burst of color. The table is already set up with two coffee mugs turned upside down on small dessert plates, as well as cream and sugar.
“You know I shouldn’t, Daph,” I say as she saunters to the kitchen to collect a brown box. MIRREN’S is stamped on the side of it.
I place my purse down on the counter then pull a chair out, sitting as Daphne approaches. She removes the mug from my dessert plate and sets a croissant in front of me. It’s golden and flaky, the chocolate oozing out of the ends. A drizzle of white and dark chocolate is on top. My heart thumps a bit and my mouth fills with drool. I shouldn’t eat it. No, I can’t eat it. Hopefully she won’t notice if I only drink the coffee.
“Thank you,” I murmur as she sits and places one on her plate as well.
“Of course. So how is everything, girl? Fill me in. Dominic still blazing through that campaign?” She pours the coffee and when my mug is filled, I grab the cream.
“Everything is okay,” I tell her. A white lie. “He has a rally today. I’m supposed to meet him in a bit. How’s Ricardo?”