I finally wipe all my tears and sigh, laying in my bed. I look at Karen’s empty neat bed and my heart hurts. I couldn’t tell Detective Lolly the truth that I was being blackmailed. It just wasn’t an option, but he also seemed to think Karen was being targeted so maybe wasn’t related to me. With that thought, I feel like 100 pounds has been lifted off my shoulders. My phone buzzes and I sit up, grabbing it out of my purse, “We still on?”I stare at the red envelope I set on my desk; I don’t want to know what it says, yet. I want to forget this whole thing ever happened. Maybe I can; just for tonight? I smile at Daniel’s text but frown. I want to go but at the same time, my roommate is in the hospital, and I am being blackmailed. I don’t really feel like having fun but then again, maybe I need some to keep the stress level down.“Yes, meet me at my dorm at 7 PM,” I reply, looking at the time. It’s 6 pm and that gives me plenty of time to pick a killer outfit and look fabulous. I can’t
The white powder crunches under my flats and I shiver as Daniel looks at me, “So, where do we start? Mulligans or Loonies?” he smirks, pointing to the two bars that are across the street from one another.I look at both buildings and then at the snow. I could care less which one we go to. They both have an Irish feel, but both will be filled with the arrogant, rich assholes that I have to deal with daily, so it doesn’t matter. “Mulligans,” I say giddily, as I grab Daniel’s arm. Tonight will be different because I said so.“Sounds good to me and remember, don’t dream of buying one drink. It’s all on me tonight.” Daniel says as he leads the way across the street. Cars pass by and the snow falls as I look around; it’s beautiful.We get to Mulligans’ front door and Daniel grabs the handle, “Remember, you are beautiful when you smile.”I look at Daniel and flip my hair, “I am beautiful even when I grimace.” I tease.Daniel laughs and pulls the front door open, talking, and loud laughter
My head is spinning, and I know I am drunk as we sit down. I have barely eaten today and now have drunk too much, too quickly. A waitress walks by, and I smile, grabbing her attention, “Can we please have some baked potato fries.” I ask. She smiles and nods, “Sure thing, anything for you?” she asks Daniel, eyeing him; he is a handsome man. Daniel shakes his head, and she walks away, smiling. “You have an admirer.” I grin at him.He grins back as he looks around him, “And you have several. You are hot, Audrey and you look incredible tonight.” I giggle as I hold up my glass so we can clink them together and take a deep breath. I am being stared at but I hadn’t noticed. “Okay, you can keep big secrets, right?” I ask himDaniel takes a sip of his drink and smiles, “Of course, Audrey. You are my best friend. I would never tell your secrets.” He says, taking my hand. I smile back and sigh, leaning toward him.“Good, because I have many.” I sigh. Daniel’s eyes light up and he sits next to
Mark and I climb into his car together and I can tell he is nervous, “To the Villa.” He tells the driver. The driver nods, closing our car door and gets back into the driver’s seat. Mark pushes a button and the in-between screen that separates us closes.I look at Mark and smile, but I can no longer contain myself. I have drunk too much and am so horny, I climb onto his lap and straddle him as I kiss his neck, “Audrey, we shouldn’t. You are so drunk.” He groans. I can feel his dick against my leg, and I grind myself against it.He groans louder and I grab his hand, putting it on my thigh and sliding it up as I giggle, “Mark, please...” I whisper, “it’s been so long since I have been with a man I actually like..” I confess. Mark grabs my chin and looks into my eyes, “You like me?” he asks.I nod, “I do, I have been looking forward to brunch since you asked.” I smile, looking deeper into his eyes. Mark reaches in and kisses me deep as his hand slides further up my thigh and then breaks
I splash Mark and giggle as I look at the bubbles in the hot tub. He smiles at me and pulls me into his lap, and I nuzzle into him, feeling comfortable. My drunkenness has now subsided, and I just feel calm and completely relaxed. Mark leans his chin into my shoulder and lets out a happy sound, “This is the most fun I have had in years.”I giggle, “Me too, actually. Your house is amazing, “I say looking around this room that holds a pool with a waterslide and then this giant hot tub on the side.Mark smiles and hums into my ear, “It’s not when you have no one to share it with.”I turn around and now straddle him once more in the hot tub, taming his wild red hair, “Don’t you have a family?” I ask.Mark nods, “Yes but that’s complicated. My aunt left me her business, but my family is jealous she did. They want me to share my success with them. They say I haven’t truly earned it because Aunt Betty started the store and I just managed to bring it globally once she passed away.”I shake my
Mark stirs beside me and my eyes open slowly. The room is still dark, and I look at my watch. Shit, it’s 3 PM! Mark smiles as he rolls over and faces me, “This was one of the best nights of my life.” He says, looking into my eyes. I smile back and he kisses my forehead, “Come on, let’s shower and then eat some late lunch. We can hang out more tonight or I can have a car take you back to campus if you need to work.”I lean in and kiss his lips; I would love to spend all night with Mark once again, but I have a date with Seth tonight and he is like Mark and myself in many ways; underestimated and smart. I refuse to break our date and let his confidence fall. “This was seriously so fun, Mark. I do have plans tonight, but I would like to keep our brunch plans on Sunday.”He nods and kisses my lips, pulling back and gently moving hair from my eyes, “I understand. I know you are a busy woman. I just want to say how much I like you as you, Audrey.” My heart flutters and he smiles, pulling th
The driver smiles as he opens my door and I step out. The campus shows little signs of life for a Saturday night, but it is also freezing. Most will either be in the library, at the bar, or in their dorm cozied up. I look down at my phone and sigh; 12 degrees, feels like 5. I shiver but reach the warmth of my building and begin walking to my dorm room when a high-pitched voice stops me.“Audrey?” I turn around and see Brandy glaring at me.I nod and she looks me up and down, staring at my clothing, “You were with a man? “I stare at her in disbelief, how is this any of her business? “No, laundry day,” I say casually. She smirks at me and walks a circle around me, “Oh, yeah? Where is the rest of it?” she asks.I roll my eyes, “It’s being delivered later,” I lie.She mocks me and shakes her head, “I know you are lying, you are Annie, not Audrey.” She grins. I hold in my shock and ignore her, trying to walk past her but she blocks me, “You got a fellow rich Autumn Brown girl hurt with y
Seth opens my car door, and we walk toward the entrance to the aquarium. I have never been here but have always wanted to go. I wouldn’t even care about tours or feedings, a day at the aquarium would be the perfect date either way; I have always been fascinated with ocean life. Seth looks through the frosted glass of the front door and a man opens it slowly, “There you are, Seth.” He smiles brightly, shaking his hand. Seth smiles back and motions to me, “Colin, this is Audrey, my date.” He beams at me. Colin shakes my hand and smiles, “Well, Audrey, you are in for a real treat tonight.” I smile and we walk inside the warm aquarium.The smell of salt water immediately assaults my nose and I smile at a mural of the ocean that has been painted on the front wall, “We have sharks, otters, crabs, fish, dolphins, and even a baby whale. So much more. I am sure you are going to love this. We will also be feeding sting rays.”I smile at Seth as I hold his arm tighter, and we follow Colin throu