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My mother passed away when I was young, and my dad remarried an older woman from Spain. My three spinster aunts, Lucia, Gabriella, and Evelina, raised me with my younger stepbrother, Romeo, and we’d see our parents once a year for about a week. My dad provided for all of us and was, by all accounts, very wealthy, but I just didn’t have a relationship with him that actually meant anything. He was almost like a benefactor who was blood-related.

My therapist says that is why I have an inability to commit to a long-term relationship. I’ve told her the reason is because I only seem to meet fuck boys, but the truth of the matter is I just don’t know why I haven’t been able to meet a true love yet. I do want to meet someone and fall in love, especially now that Skye is madly in love with Kingston and spending almost all her time with him. I want my own love story. I just don’t want my soulmate to be someone I meet at a ball because their family wants my dad’s money and powerful connections.

“She hasn’t,” Skye responds, and I stick my tongue out at her before we both laugh.

“You don’t know my personal business,” I protest, and she raises her dainty red brows at me. “I mean, I could have had one in the last couple of weeks.”

“You would have called me from the bathroom the moment it was over.” She giggles. “And I would have asked if they took turns or both filled you up at the same time, in different holes.”

“You’re making Juniper blush.” Lila laughs and points at Juniper. “You’re taking away her innocence.”

“I’m not a former nun.” Juniper shakes her head. “I was a virgin in New York City, not Vatican City. Also, I’ve had?—”

“You have not had a devil’s threesome!” My jaw drops as we all gaze at her in shock. “You and Remington are into some kinky shit, huh?”

“No!” she exclaims with a giggle. “I mean, we’re into kinky stuff, but notthatsort of kinky stuff.”

“Oh, I was about to say…” I finish my glass of wine and motion to the waiter to bring us another bottle. “But enough about me. How are you guys doing?”

“Liam Gallagher is driving me absolutely crazy,” Juniper exclaims loudly. “I thought Remington was a tough boss, but Liam is like Remington on speed.”

“Tell me about it.” Skye groans. “He needs to find his own legal assistant already. I told Kingston that he offended me by saying I should stick to acting when I didn’t know about the ruling of some obscure case from the Ninth Circuit, and Kingston nearly called him then and there to tell him off.”

“Shall I fight him for you?” I lean forward. “I’d love to knock that cocky smirk off of his face.” I’ve only met the cocky Brit twice, but it is apparent to me that he thinks he is God’s gift to women, with his bright blue eyes and dark brown hair. It doesn’t help that he wears a thin gold chain around his neck and is always immaculately dressed. Not to mention his physique is perfection itself, likely helped by the fact that he boxes frequently.

“No, but thank you.” There’s a defiant look on her face. “If he pisses me off one more time, I will fight him myself. Also,you didn’t actually have a devil’s threesome and not tell me, did you?”

“No, I didn’t. I mean, I’m not opposed to it, per se, if both guys were super hot, super into me, and the moment felt right. But I’m not exactly advertising the fact that I’m sexually open to every man on the dating apps.” I shudder, thinking of all the horrible men I’ve already been matched with. “And the truth of the matter is, I do want to meet one good guy, like y’all.”

“What about Gabe?” Juniper suggests, naming the fourth partner at Chase, Parker, & Spector, Attorneys at Law. “That would be so cool if the four of us were all dating the four partners.”

“That would be cool, and he’s cute, but he’s not my type.” I shake my head, thinking of the handsome man with the dark, brooding eyes. “Don’t get me wrong, he’s very attractive, but he reminds me of my dad, with his serious demeanor and how he’s always working.” I keep my tone light, but I vowed to myself a long time ago that I wanted a man who wanted to be with me more than he wanted to be with his work, and even though I don’t know Gabriel Lucas very well, I know enough to know that his job would always come first in his life. He is extremely hot, but being a workaholic is a huge deterrent in my book.

“Gabe is delicious.” Lila giggles and then lowers her voice as she looks around. “Not that I would tell Max how much of a snack Gabe is, but daaanng, if I was single, he could get it.”

“Really?” I ask her in surprise. “I would have thought Liam was more your cup of tea.”

“I mean, he’s hot, as well.” Lila grabs her phone and makes a face. “Though I have to work for him next week, and I’m not looking forward to it. The man is rude.”

“I can’t stand rude men.” I shake my head. “He needs to find his own assistant already. I can’t believe Max, Kingston, and Remington haven’t told him to fine one by now.”

“They’re trying.” Juniper leans forward. “But Liam brings so much money to the firm with all his business. Remington says Liam is one of their most valuable clients, and they are trying to be patient, but they are going to give him a month more before?—.”

“A month?” Skye wails. “I cannot work for that man for another month.” She presses her hand to her forehead. “He’s literally the boss from hell. And I should know because Kingston was no walk in the park when I first started working for him.”

“What is his problem?” I say loudly, annoyed for them all. “He seriously needs to be put in his place if he thinks he can just treat y’all like crap. He’s lucky I’m not his assistant. I’d tell him where he could get off.” I laugh at the expression on Juniper’s face. “He sounds like a bully. He gets away with it because he’s a client, but if I worked for him, I would put him in his place.”

“I wish you would put him in his place,” Lila exclaims and leans back. “But you’re lucky to be rich enough not to have to work as an assistant.”

“That’s true...for now.” I think about the email my father sent me. I wonder what he will say if I tell him I no longer want the princess ball. How will he react when he realizes he’s not going to be marrying me off to some eligible bachelor? Will he cut me off? I don’t think he will, but I don’t think he’ll be happy. I look around at my group of friends and think about my own circumstances. I’m ready for a change. I’m ready to forge my own path.

“What’s on your mind now, Elisabetta?” Skye asks me, her green eyes crinkled in concern.

“Nothing much. Just wondering if I should accept any dates this weekend,” I joke and shimmy back and forth in the booth. I don’t want to voice my concerns to everyone. I know they think I have the perfect life. The spoiled only daughter of a very rich man. And sometimes, I see where they’re coming from. I don’tlike to complain because… what would I really say? I have all the money in the world, yet I don’t have the attention that I want? I don’t have the warm comfort of love that an adoring father would give his child? Would they even understand or care? Or would I just be a pretty rich girl bitching about nothing? How do I explain to them that while I don’t have to work, I envy them all? They've found the loves of their lives, and I feel empty inside.

Chapter Two

Liam