Burned (Miller Sisters 2)

‘No. For him it was just about fun and sex. That’s how I wanted it to be, too!’ I shredded the tissue. ‘I’m going to have to leave my job.’

‘You love working there!’

‘Not anymore. It’s too hard. Too awkward and I don’t want to embarrass him a second time. I’m going to look for something else. And I know that makes me pathetic, but—’

‘It doesn’t make you pathetic.’ Her phone beeped to indicate a text but she ignored it. ‘You need to leave this bed and come out with us tonight.

I managed a smile. ‘Just because I can’t get my own sex life sorted out, doesn’t mean I want to ruin yours. Go. Nico is texting you.’ I

gave her a push. ‘Go and have fun. You can borrow my shoes if you like. I don’t need them.’

I couldn’t imagine ever wanting to go out again.

She slid out of the bed and paused in the doorway. ‘I still think you should tell Hunter how you feel.’

‘This time around, it’s my problem. I’ll handle it.’

But handling it drained me.

Every time I saw him approaching, I dived for cover and I stayed later and later to avoid leaving at the same time as him, but he left late, too, because he was the boss.

I stopped going to staff nights out, then decided not going made it look as if I was avoiding him, so I went and pretended to have fun on the dance floor. I concentrated so hard on ‘having fun’ I almost sprained my ankle.

Proving I was fine was exhausting. My smile muscles were getting a more rigorous workout than my abs or my thighs.

And then finally I heard I had an interview at a fitness club closer to home.

I should have been thrilled. Provided I didn’t mess up the interview, this nightmare would be over. And then I realized taking this job would mean I wouldn’t see Hunter again. He really would be out of my life.

And that was the biggest nightmare of all.

‘What are you doing for your birthday, Rosie?’ Caroline stuffed her bag into the locker and pulled out her water bottle.

‘I’m having a quiet night.’ I was going to hide under the duvet and hope that when I woke up a year older, I’d be cured of the way I was feeling.

But my sister was having none of it.

‘You are not spending another Saturday night in bed watching TV. That’s not happening. I’ve planned you a surprise party.’

‘I really don’t—’

‘Shut up and get dressed in something warm. Wear that gorgeous coat you bought last winter. The short, sexy black one that makes you look like a Russian princess.’ She was checking her phone. ‘We need to go. Cab’s outside.’

For my sister’s sake I washed my hair and dragged on my clothes. The black coat was a perfect contrast to my white face. I felt like crap and I looked like crap. I knew I needed to snap out of it. I was no fun to be with. And it was no one’s fault but my own. I’d played with fire. I’d been burned. Again.

Hayley bundled me into the cab and handed the driver our destination on a piece of paper so I couldn’t see.

‘Don’t you think you’re taking this a bit far? I’ve lived in London all my life. I’ll know where we’re going.’

‘No, you won’t.’ She pulled a scarf out of her bag and tied it around my eyes while I protested.

‘Oh for...’ I thought it was overkill. ‘You’ll smudge my makeup.’

‘I want it to be a surprise.’

‘The surprise is going to be me looking as if I’m dressed for Halloween. Who is coming, anyway?’

‘Our friends.’ It was a suspiciously vague answer and I was starting to feel exhausted when she tugged off the scarf.