Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 165618 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 828(@200wpm)___ 662(@250wpm)___ 552(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 165618 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 828(@200wpm)___ 662(@250wpm)___ 552(@300wpm)
A massive protest was being organized for tomorrow to let their representatives know how they felt about it. And realm-wide boycotts of some of the businesses of wealthy beings who contributed to the representatives’ campaigns—stores, restaurants, hotels and products—had been put into place.
The political pundits were sharing that it wouldn’t take long for some representative to introduce another bill (so they could lay claim to it in the history books) that would do the same thing Tanyn’s bill would have done. Especially if the Edgians could keep up this pressure in the long haul.
I hoped that for them, but it was none of my business.
I was of The Fall.
So it had nothing to do with me.
Last, although we were getting regular comms from Gayle, things like I’m still here, and he’s given me a lapcomp so at least I can work, but that was mostly it, we didn’t have the full story.
But we knew she was all right, or at least, hanging in there.
Tressa, my other SA, was heading into the main gallery from the back.
I took my latte, handed the others to Lua, greeted Tressa on my way to the stairs, went up them and into my office.
“If I’d known you were coming”—more like ambushing, oh yes, I was no longer incommunicado, but I’d been keeping myself to myself and licking my wounds since I arrived home on Tuesday—“I would have bought you a latte.”
I dropped to give Monique a cheek touch where she sat in a chair in front of my desk, before I went around said desk, threw my bag on it, set my latte on it and shrugged off my coat.
All while she was saying, “I’m caffeined-out already. It’s my late day. I have clients until nine tonight. So I had to fortify early.”
Monique had one of the most popular, exclusive spas in Nocturn and was simply the most sought-after aesthetician in the city.
She further was saving to do some extensive renovations on her flat, and Mon was not one to let grass grow. If she wanted it, she busted her buns for it, which she’d now been doing for what felt like ever.
I hoped she was close to having what she needed. I could see she looked tired, and that had been getting worse of late.
“I know why you’re here,” I told her.
Having hung my coat on the hook on the wall, I was moving to my desk.
“Oh, so you know I booked you the full package. Facial. Brow shape. Hair mask. Body scrub and wrap. And massage. Starting at ten o’clock tomorrow. You’ll be ooze when it’s done, so Laura and I have arranged a repast from Benniden’s to be delivered to your place at two o’clock. You can pass out after you’ve eaten it and sleep away whatever fucked you up in Sky’s Edge.”
By all the levels of hells, I loved my besties.
“Thank you, that’s mega,” I said softly.
“I know you,” she replied. “You’ll share when you’re ready to share. Even so, I have to say, we’re all worried about you.”
I knew they were.
And I had to get my head out of my behind and get back into my life. Fully.
“How much do you know?” I asked.
“Well, since I got your very brief a-comm, I’ve talked to your mom and Laura, so my guess…everything you told them. But also, Aleksei told Laura, and Mr. Truelock told Mrs. Truelock that Tanyn begged off, so another guess, I know pretty much everything.”
Begged off.
Ouch.
I hid my reaction to that behind a sip from my latte and said, “That would be pretty much everything.”
“You were into him,” she said gently, watching me closely.
Into him?
I thought so.
Considering, since I left, I felt both oddly and terrifyingly empty, along with a forceful yearning the likes of which I’d never experienced, I had a feeling it had grown to more.
Much, much more.
“Can we not talk about Tanyn?” I requested.
“Well, you get a day of relaxation. But just to say, Laura and I have also arranged a conference comm with Gayle on Sunday afternoon. We’re doing it at your place. And both you bitches are getting it all out when we do.”
Sunday would work, especially after being pampered on Saturday.
“I’ll be sure to have plenty of snacks and beverages supplied,” I agreed.
“So I won’t worry in the meantime, are you hanging in there?” she asked.
I lifted my latte to her and said faux lightly, “I’m me. Of course I am.”
Before Mon could reply, a knock came on the door.
She twisted to look, and I just looked to see Mom standing there.
“Two of my favorite females,” Mom gushed, coming in.
I sighed, but it was half-hearted.
They’d given me time, and I adored them for it.
But that time was now done.
And it far from hurt to have so many beings love you.
Monique got up to give her a hug.