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“One caramel vanilla latte with three sugars?”
“Damn girl! I don’t know how you keep so skinny with all that,” Sienna says admirably.
“Well, now that she’s working it all off with Luca Armani, she doesn’t have to worry,” Romi remarks.
I give her a glare. I considered the photo from last night might circulate rumors. But I didn’t expect it to spread so rapidly.
Back in Boston, I didn’t have an intimate friend group like this. I quickly learned those who wanted to get to know me only wanted to do so to get to my father. It became easier to be a recluse and focus only on my studies before integrating myself into my father’s empire.
When I came to New York, it felt different. It almost gave me a taste of normality even while under my father’s rein. Because all of these women understand fundamentally what that is like. That’s also because they don’t really know me. Well not all of me, considering my specialized hobby.
I take a sip, the sugar dancing on my taste buds. This is exactly what I’ve needed all morning.
“Luca and I are not anything.” Nor can I tell them he forced me to suck him off under a threat and almost choked me out. What label could I possibly put on that? “We’re acquainted and he asked me to join him at the event yesterday. That’s all.”
“Horseshit,” Sienna says. I splutter the next sip. For someone who comes across so refined around others she seems to not bother with a filter around us. “Luca Armani doesn’t ask anyone to escort him anywhere.”
“Unless it’s a certain six-foot something bodyguard,” Romi says quietly under her breath.
We all give her a look. She must either be talking about Ivan, his second in command, or Lorenzo, his head of security. “What? He’s hot. Kind of in a bad boy way.”
“Okay we’re circling back around to that in a minute, but only after Ara gives us an actual answer,” Lily says curiously. “So, like, have you guys had sex?”
“What? No!” I say forcefully. Luca repulses me. I hate every fucking part of his pushy, arrogant assholeness. He thinks he owns me and I’ll do whatever he sees fit. Until I can figure out his undoing, my only choice is to succumb to his ridiculous requests.
“So do you think there will be another date?” Lily asks excitedly.
“It wasn’t a date.”
They all begin to laugh. “You’re further away from the dating scene than I realized if you don’t consider him taking you to one of the most lucrative events in this city as a date. That was definitely some kind of declaration.” Sienna laughs and gratefully accepts the pot of black tea the barista brings over.
“Fine. If it’s not a date, then let’s go out, bitches. When was the last time we actually let our hair down? Let’s go clubbing this Friday night,” Romi eagerly encourages.
Sienna scoffs. “I haven’t gone clubbing in years. I’m too old for that now.”
“Bitch you’re not even thirty yet,” Romi bites back. “And little miss Daddy do-gooder over here needs to let her hair down too.” She points in Lily’s direction.
“Hey!” Lily shrieks. The two have been friends since elementary school.
“And you!” Romi points to me. “If we’re all drier than the Sahara desert right now and you’re being honest and not mounting that hunk, then we all need to find fresh meat. I’m bored. I’m sick of not living through you guys or having a hottie to bang myself.” Sienna laughs at Romi’s comments. “If you’re not dating Mr. bigshot Armani then you have needs to be met as well, Ara. I won’t take no from any of you.”
“I already have Michael, and it’s going really well,” Sienna says about her boyfriend she’s been dating a few months. None of us have met him yet.
“Then bring him! Hell, he might be able to get us into some cool clubs,” Romi encourages.
Sienna bites her bottom lip, and even after only knowing Sienna for six months, I know she can’t say no to a party. Just as easily, Romi has basically put her in charge of it.
We all look around the table at one another. I’ve never gone out clubbing for pleasure. It had only ever been if I was marking someone. I’m almost certain it couldn’t be that bad to do at least once. It was a sure as hell declaration I do not belong to anyone. Especially the devil of New York.
13
ARA
Isit in my office after hours of meetings and updates on our new app development. I’m looking over piles of paperwork that have to be finalized. Still, my mind can’t stop ticking over to one particular person. My friends think he’s a prize. Now I have no doubt whispers and accusations are circulating throughout the social circles already. All of it is nothing but politics and gossip and nothing I want any part of.
A light tap on my door pulls me out of my thoughts. I’m still holding one of the papers. How long have I been holding this?
“Come in.”
