Quinn and Melanie were sitting at their small barista table drinking coffee and turned to look at me as I walked in.
“Good morning, sunshine,” Melanie said to me in a cheery voice. I looked at her with a huff and made my way to the coffee pot. “What time did you get home last night? I was up until around two reviewing a case and I thought you’d be home before I made it to bed.”
I busied myself with making my cup of coffee as I thought about what I’d tell her. I didn’t want to lie, but I didn’t want to tell her the truth, either.
Turning around, I leaned against the counter as I lifted my cup to my lips and took a sip of the fresh, hot liquid. “I met a guy at the club,” I told her with a shrug. I didn’t want to make it into a big thing. “We got to talking and hung out for a little bit after closing time.”
A big smile crossed her lips and I knew then that I probably should have come up with a different lie.
“That’s great, Em. What’s his name? What does he look like?”
I put my hand up in a gesture to get her to stop talking. “Woah, down girl. First off, it’s way too early for all of these questions. Secondly, we didn’t even exchange numbers so I’ll probably never see him again.”
“You know, if you ever wanted me to hook you up, Dan has a really cute single friend,” Quinn said with a smile.
I rolled my eyes. “Thanks for the offer, Quinn, but I think I’m good. I honestly don’t want to get involved with anyone right now. After everything that’s happened, I just want to focus on school.”
“You’re going to need to jump on that horse eventually, babe,” Quinn stated. “At least get a rebound fuck in. Those are always fun.”
Melanie laughed and slapped Quinn on the shoulder as she got out of her chair and headed toward the coffee pot. “Seriously, Quinn,” she said, shaking her head before she turned to me as she poured her coffee. “So, I’ve been meaning to talk to you this past week, but I’ve been so busy at work it’s slipped my mind. I have this charity ball thing I have to go to on Friday night, and I was wondering if you wanted to go with me.”
“I’m going to shower,” Quinn announced as she got up from her table and left the room.
I watched Quinn walk down the hall and enter the bathroom before turning back to Melanie. “Are you sure? Really?” I asked, excitedly. I’d heard her talk about those charity balls, but I’d never gotten to go to one. She always bragged about meeting famous people and I’d get so jealous.
She laughed and walked back to her chair. “Yes, ya dork. I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t want you to go. Plus, this gives us a reason to go shopping together and I’ve never been to this specific charity, so I’m excited,” she said as she placed her mug on the table. “If you have to work, ask for the night off. I’m sure they’ll give it to you.”
I shook my head after taking a sip of coffee. “No, I’m actually off and the girls were planning a girls’ night, but I’ll just cancel or we can go out Saturday night instead.” I hated to do that to them, but they’d understand.
“Are you sure?”
“Oh, my God, are you serious?” I laughed. “Yes, they’ll understand. I’m not missing this. It’ll be good for me. You can introduce me to all the hotshot attorneys who’ll be attending,” I said with a smile.
“That’s what I planned on doing.” She winked before getting up from the table, heading toward her room. “We’ll go shopping today, so go get ready. We’ll leave in about an hour and a half.”
I stayed in the kitchen to finish my coffee as I waited for Quinn to get out of the bathroom. I was excited about my plans to hang out with my sister for the day, but my mind started drifting to the night before. It seemed like it was all a dream. A dream I wanted to have over and over again.
Lifting my hand up to my left breast, I pulled the shirt I was wearing down a few inches. The bite mark Mason left had spread into a purple bruise. He’d marked me and I wondered if maybe he did it on purpose or if it was a ‘heat of the moment’ thing. I traced a finger around it and closed my eyes as I remembered the groans he’d let out after he’d bitten me. It was so sexy… almost too sexy.
Opening my eyes, I dropped my hand away from my breast and fixed my shirt. I just needed to forget about the night completely. I was sure he wouldn’t be thinking about it, especially since he’d gotten rid of me so quickly. I’m ‘Ms. Blake’ now.
I heard the door to the bathroom open and sighed as I set my cup on the counter. I guessed I’d be trying on dresses which covered my chest because there was no way I wanted to even try explaining where I’d gotten the bruise from.
Chapter 18
Emmalynn