“Amelia, just because you had one bad apple doesn’t mean the whole bunch was ruined.”
Lifting a brow, I replied, “One bad apple spoils the rest, that’s what I’ve always heard.”
She frowned and shook her head. “Love will come when you least expect it, Meli. Just wait.”
“What about you? Are you happy in love? I mean, you gave up your career as a dancer for Jack.”
With a huff, Waylynn picked up a pair of Louis Vuitton pumps and looked at the price tag. I couldn’t help but look myself. Over six hundred dollars. Waylynn lifted the shoe and nodded to the young sales lady. “Size six, please.”
Waylynn turned to me, her eyes filled with sadness. “I can honestly tell you that Jack Monroe was the worst mistake of my life.”
I was stunned to finally hear the full confession, but not surprised. “Oh, Waylynn. I’m so sorry. What can I do? Here you are telling me love will come when I least expect it, but when will it come for you?”
A fake laugh slipped from Waylynn as the sales lady took the sleek, black pump from a thin box. Waylynn sat down. “Don’t be sorry. I’m the idiot who let it happen and nothing can be done to fix this mistake. Meli, this is my reality. I’ve fully accepted that love has already bypassed me.”
After the second shoe slipped on, Waylynn stood and walked over to a mirror, staring at her reflection. She wasn’t even looking at the shoes.
“How do they feel, ma’am?”
Slapping on her signature window-dressing smile, she said, “Fine. Everything is perfectly fine.”
I studied my older sister, understanding just how unhappy she truly was.
“I’ll take them,” she finally said. When she turned back to face me, she gave me that same fake smile. “Might as well spend his money if that’s the only thing he gives me. Right?”
Before I could offer words of comfort to my sister and best friend, my phone buzzed in my purse. Reaching in, I saw a local NYC number.
212-555-1212: Hey, Amelia! It’s Liam. We still on for bevvies tonight?
I glanced over to my sister again who was sitting next to me. She had launched into a conversation with the sales lady, so I focused on the text.
Grinning like a silly teenager, I quickly stored his number in my phone.
Me: Am I going to have to go buy a book…How to Speak Australian…just to go out with you?
Liam: No. I promise not to speak Australian.
Me: NO! Speak it! It’s hot as hell.
A few minutes passed, and I was worried I had scared him off.
Liam: Then I’ll be sure to lay it on thick and heavy tonight.
“What’s that smile?” Waylynn asked as we walked outside, waving for a cab like a madwoman.
I chuckled. “Liam is texting about tonight.”
Waylynn wiggled her eyebrows. “Well, by the look on your face, I think we need to make one more stop before heading back to your hotel.”
“Where?”
“The drugstore…for condoms.”
“You’re going out on a date with the author of the book you’re recording? Isn’t that…against the rules or something?”
Fixing my hair one more time, I pulled my eyes from the mirror and turned to Nancy, my roommate and ex-girlfriend.
“No. At least, I don’t think so.”
“Huh. Well, you better be careful. You’ve got a good-paying job, and you don’t need some woman messing it up for you.” Nancy and I had dated for over two and half years before deciding we made better friends than lovers.
“I didn’t mess things up with you,” I said, and laughed. “You’re just worried I won’t make rent if I get tossed out on my can.”
“Something like that,” she said as she brushed past me. It didn’t go unnoticed that she was dressed sexy as sin tonight. Sometimes I wondered if Nancy wanted me back in her bed. It seemed like every time I had a date, she dressed a little racier, making more than her normal, fair share of sexual comments.
“Just be careful, Liam. You’ve worked too hard to give it all up for some girl.”
With a light-hearted chuckle, I replied, “I think I’m okay, Nancy. You a bit jealous?”
She leaned against the counter and stared. “If I wanted your cock, all I’d have to do is spread my legs and you’d be inside me.”
“Is that right?”
Sitting on the counter, she lifted her skirt higher on her thighs and spread her legs open enough so I could see she wasn’t wearing panties. But I couldn’t be bothered any more with someone like Nancy and her jealous ways.
“Is this you saying you want me to fuck you?” I asked.
“Maybe. You interested?”
I reached for my wallet and pushed it into the back pocket of my jeans. It pissed me off that she thought she could flash her pussy and I’d jump. Fuck that. “Don’t wait up for me. I’ll be home late.”