Into the Darkness

“Sorry, Adriana, we thought everyone left.” Samantha laughed.

“I left my cell inside. This is hilarious! Charlie would have pissed herself laughing at this. OK, guess I’ll leave you to it. Bye.” She waved as she walked out of the room.

I sat still. FUCK, she was going to tell Charlotte. Poor Charlotte, hearing this and then having to meet that tattoo guy. I needed to do something and fast. I felt bile rise in my throat, the pit of my stomach forming into a big fucking knot.

“I forgot to ask Adriana something,” I said in a rush.

“So just call her, Alex. Let’s back to where we were.” She wrapped her arms around my neck.

I pulled them off and ran outside as fast as I could but the car was already reversing down the driveway and all I saw was Adriana laughing and a very heartbroken Charlotte sitting in the front seat, staring right back at me.

Chapter 21

Charlie

Eric clutched my hand tight, rushing me along the busy streets attempting to reach the restaurant in record speed. Easy for him since he was wearing flats. My new Jimmy Choos were getting scuffed which did not impress me one bit.

“Eric, seriously, can you slow down!” This fell on deaf ears as I struggled to keep up.

“I just don’t want to be late. Tango will bump you off if you aren’t on time.”

Tango was a very upbeat Spanish restaurant in the Upper East Side. As a treat for my birthday, Eric was taking me to dinner. I was more than happy to stay at home and drown myself in my sorrows but Eric suggested a day full of “us” time: shopping, massages, pedis and of course dinner at the best restaurant to show off our newly dressed and pampered bodies.

“Here we are!”

We walked into the restaurant. I noticed immediately that it was at full capacity. The tables were all taken. I felt bad for a moment hoping we hadn’t missed out.

“Sir, Madam, please let me escort you to your table.” The waiter led us through the crowd, passing the tables that were all occupied. I wondered where our table was. Damn, probably somewhere at the back. Oh well, I thought, at least they got karaoke after ten pm. The waiter pulled a large velvet maroon curtain aside, which was followed by a loud “SURPRISE!!!”

I was taken aback by

the loud chorus and looked around the space, obviously shocked. Standing around a huge table was Bull’s and Rocky, Adriana and Elijah, Emma, Becky—a new assistant in our office, Julian and of course Lex. I did a double take, panic rising in my chest. Julian and Lex in the same room? I was going to strangle the person who planned this. I put on a smile, pushing aside those thoughts for a moment. I hadn’t spoken to Lex since our fight in my office. He hadn’t tried to contact me and I was too damn stubborn to contact him.

“Wow, you guys, this is…unbelievable. You shouldn’t have!” Fuck, really they shouldn’t have! I looked around the room. Emerald green balloons were covering the ceiling, and it almost looked like St Patrick’s Day if you didn’t know that was my favorite color. It was overwhelming to be here with all my friends celebrating this day, especially with Adriana and Lex.

“Isn’t it? Bull’s came up with the idea and invited everyone,” Eric said like he was four years old, quick to point the finger at the child that deserved to be in the naughty corner.

I looked over at Bull’s. Her face contorted into a devious grin. She knew the game she was playing with my so-called love life and I was just about ready to strangle her. How on Earth would I get through this night in once piece? I eyed the bottles of sangria that sat on the table, calculating how many would it take before it all was one big blur. My momentary plan to escape was interrupted as one by one each of them came up to wish me a happy birthday.

“Happy birthday, hot stuff!” Rocky squeezed me tight, lifting me high. I held onto my dress hoping that no one caught sight of my coochie. His hugs were suffocating only because of his large frame. He let me go, allowing me to catch my breath.

“Char, happy birthday! Seriously you are rocking this Dior dress!” Adriana came up and hugged me next.

“I know right!” I answered proudly. “I also bought it in blue.”

“Don’t even think about borrowing it, Adriana. I called it first.” Bull’s came up beside her. She leaned in and hugged me, whispering in my ear, “Surprise. Betcha didn’t see this coming.”

“I am so ready to kill you right now,” I answered back, still holding her.

“Let the games begin,” she continued as she pulled away.

It was going to be one hell of a long night. I started getting fidgety knowing I would have to say hello to Lex sooner or later. It had only been three days, eighteen hours, and ten minutes since the last time he touched me? Fuck, I needed to put things in perspective. Since when did my lady garden rule my life?

Julian came up to me, breaking me from my sadistic thoughts about Lex. He looked so dashing in his dark jeans and black sweater. Could he see the guilt in my eyes? Could he feel the touch of another man lingering on my skin?

“Happy birthday, Gorgeous.” He wrapped his arms around me holding me close before slowly letting go to kiss my lips. I knew there were eyes watching us. Fuck, this couldn’t be any more awkward.

“Thank you. You forgot the cape again?”