Page 9

Those early mornings in my kitchen pouring candles, late nights studying, and weekends spent behind a bar. Every time I saved instead of splurging. All of it brought me one step closer to where I was trying to go.

After six years of graduation, successful application, and commendation, the prize I couldn’t fathom has become the hare and I the cheetah chasing it.

I don’t remember the moment this world, hidden behind doors I had to lie to get through, started to feel like home.

But it does, and I’ll do anything to stay here.

My father left me this money to secure my future. Fifty thousand is a lot, but only makes a dent in it. And with this career, I’ll make it back quickly. It feels like a small price to pay to get rid of him.

Conrad is waiting on a bench outside the restaurant and grins when I walk back out.

I keep my expression neutral and sit down beside him.

“What happened to you, Conrad? How can you do this? After everything I did for you.”

His chuckles, but his expression hardens. “You used me and then when you were all right, you didn’t need me.”

“We were friends,” I protest.

“I don’t have friends,Jules.I’ve only got myself. You’re not a bad person. You got the shit end of the stick. And for what it’s worth, I hope you’re never desperate enough to understand how I could do this. Now, Ms. Money Bags, how are we doing this? I have a passport with pages to fill.”

I wire the money to him right there outside the restaurant and then order us an Uber to Gatwick. On the way to the airport, he asks me to buy him a ticket to Ibiza. So I walk to the counter and buy him a one-way ticket. I stay with him as far as security will allow and then take a seat by the entrance to baggage claim where he’d have to pass to leave the airport.

I wait two hours after his flight time before I’m satisfied that he’s really gone. On my way out of the airport, I toss the scrap of paper with the fanciful words into the trash.

When I get home and finally crawl into bed, my mind is racing, and sleep is elusive. I have no doubt Conrad will blow through that money sooner than he should. And when he does, he’ll be back. He doesn’t know where I live or work. And no one at Inner Temple would tell him. He’ll have to get lucky to find me again. But I have no doubt that he’ll try.

CHAPTER 3

HIM

London England,

February 2022

(Three Months Later)

Jules

The delectable scent of centifolia roses and vanilla announces Reena’s presence behind me before she speaks. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” she shouts to be heard over the music. I turn, happy as hell to see her, and pull her into a hug. “I’ve been looking foryou.I can’t believe how many people are here.”

When she told me she was renting out this entire restaurant at the top of the OXO tower, I imagined a few tables of good friends, having dinner and raising a toast.

The only seating is outside on the balconies that ring the entire floor of this building and the three stools in front the bar. Otherwise, it’s standing room only. And despite the pretty uninspired music the DJ’s got on, the dance floor is packed.

“I’m leaving for good this time. I had to go out in style.” She places a kiss on each of my cheeks and nods at the glass of clear liquid on the bar in front of me. “That better be filled with gin or vodkaandtonic and notjusttonic…”

I raise my glass to her nose for inspection. She sniffs and smiles approvingly at the distinct effervescent aroma of vodka and tonic. “Good girl,” she says and hops up on the barstool next to me. “God, my feet are killing me.”

“Why do you think I’m sitting?” I glance down at my black stilettos with disdain. I’ve had them on all day because I came here straight from work. But my trainers are in my rucksack, and I’ll put them on the second I walk out of here.

“You look amazing, babe.” She gives me a once-over and nods in approval. “I will never understand how you are single.”

I nudge her slim hip with my more ample one and tut in mock disapproval. “I’ve got two jobs, candle orders to fill, and zero interest in relationships.”

She pulls away, her large brown eyes twinkling with mischief. “What’s any ofthatgot to do with finding someone who’ll eat your ass with gusto before he busts your pussy wide open?”

Her explicit description draws a laugh that’s born of humor but also shock and embarrassment.