Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 94997 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94997 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“I’ll mark it on my calendar.” I beam at him.
“Here,” my mother says, coming back into the room and adding another two shirts to my basket of clothes. To be honest, I can’t even remember when I wore those last. She scoops me into a big hug. “Be safe and have a good night.”
“I’ll see you Sunday night,” I say, pressing a kiss on her cheek and then giving my father the same treatment.
As I’m in the elevator, riding down to the lobby from their penthouse, I look at my reflection in the mirrored back wall of the car. My short blonde hair is straightened and slicked back, showcasing my large silver hoop earrings. I live by the philosophy: the bigger the hoop, the bigger the ho. They’ve become a staple piece in my wardrobe from the first time I heard that.
I’m wearing a short black dress that emphasizes my curves, with matching red-bottomed heels. I absolutely love these heels; they’re one of my favorite pairs. I look at the time on the Rolex my father gifted me on my sixteenth birthday. It’s a must-wear every day. Everything else gets switched out, depending on my mood that day.
I’m late, but then again, I’m always late. I don’t usually do it intentionally. I just have a habit of misreading the time. Thankfully, for my career, I work on my own schedule, or otherwise, I’m pretty sure I’d be fired.
My phone buzzes again, and I pull it out, noticing a missed call from Hawke. The guy’s persistent, but that’s not my problem. Tonight, I’m planning on getting laid. That will definitely wash away this weird fixation I have with Hawke as of late.
CHAPTER 14
Ivy
When I arrive at the party, it’s already in full swing. Makayla was very popular in college. She was known for her party-girl ways, which is why we naturally gravitated toward each other and became friends.
On the nights Billie wanted to focus on her studies, Makayla and I went out on the town in London. I don’t talk to her as much now, other than a few social media comments here and there. She moved to Manhattan—around the same time I came back—to be closer to her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Jared, who is originally from here. Despite our infrequent communication, there’s one thing we can depend on each other for. If there’s a party, it’s go time.
There are only a few people here I recognize, but I don’t need people I know in order to have a good time. I could be placed in a room full of strangers and still have the most epic night. It’s one of my many talents. Like my father, my mother always told me I’m a total extrovert. I do, however, enjoy my own company and sometimes prefer that, but I draw my energy from large groups of people.
The restaurant is cute and has been designed to create a mini-club vibe, and it’s often rented out for special events. I don’t know whose birthday this party is for, and I don’t care. There aren’t many guest lists I can’t get on.
I spot Makayla straight away, Jared basically attached to her hip. I don’t know why those two stay together. They’re always cheating on each other, hooking up with complete strangers to make each other jealous. Yet they always work their way back to one other, even knowing how toxic it is. I told her what I thought about it once, and I’ve never bothered to repeat it because it’s not my life.
Jared notices me first and immediately pulls me in for a hug. “It’s been a while. We’ve missed you. You’ve been quiet on the town lately,” he says, and before I can reply, Makayla pushes Jared out of the way and screams so loudly that we both cringe from what might be close to a pierced eardrum. She throws her arms around me, the force of her embrace causing me to take a couple of steps back. I quickly realize how drunk she is already.
“I’ve missed you,” she slurs in her British accent.
“She’s already ten shots in,” Jared explains. Then he motions to the guy next to him. “This is my friend Lester.”
Makayla steps back and looks at me seriously without giving me time to greet their friend. “You have to catch up,” she demands as she grabs a shot glass from the table they’re sitting at and hands it to me.
“Don’t have to tempt me with a good time,” I reply, then throw it back. She claps loudly as she grabs a second shot glass, and I hold up a hand.
“Let me breathe first,” I say. She might be ten in already, but I want to at least enjoy the taste of a drink. The night’s young, and I want to savor it as I circle the room and see who grabs my attention.