Page 24 of Perfect Satisfaction

A place we’ve spent a lot of days together since we first met.

“What do you want now, Arek?”

“I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do,” is the immediate counter.

Yes, I do.I want what I’ve wanted from the moment I met her—to be held in her arms forever. Look how long that lasted.

“If she was sitting in front of you right now, what would you say to her?”

My legs are spread apart, my elbows braced on them, as we stare out at the choppy water. “I’ve had this conversation with myself a million times.”

“Does the answer change?”

Never. I shake my head.

“Then you’re more foolish than your grandfather says for playing games with love.” My best friend scrambles to their feet. “I’m going inside the house to spend some time with Edward. I’m heading back to the city in a few minutes.”

“I’ll be right there.”

With almost cat-like grace, there’s barely a footfall as I’m left alone in the only place I find any peace anymore.

When I’m certain no one is in hearing distance, I bow my head and let the first ragged sob tear through me. Months have passed and not a word. Nothing. We’d been together less time than we’ve been apart. Why should it cripple me to know she moved on?

There’s so much agony inside me, I wish the cold ground I’m sitting on would just absorb me.

After all, I meant what I said.

In sickness and health. Till death do us part.

Now, she’s moved on with billionaire Joshua Basset.

The chill of that freezes my blood, changes something inside me. Each cell of my body shifts. Clenching my jaw, I practically break my molars in an effort to restrain the pain of the memory of that photo.

Ursula in a bikini splashing water at Basset in a pool at one of the most exclusive resorts in the world.

The next shot, he’s tossing her in the air.

She comes up sputtering.

Then beaming.

That smile.

My smile.

My Moore.

Not anymore.

CHAPTERTWELVE

It’s been over a year since singer Erzulie lost her sister. It’s also been about that amount of time since she put out any new music. Fans appreciate her grief but are getting restless for her songs that have been described as “sending quivering tingles down my spine.”

When can we expect to see the artist on stage again as well as a new record?

@wildcardmusic