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“It most certainly did not, Amelia. I swear to you.” I take a second to look over Erin’s beautiful face.

“Right, okay. We’ll say no more of it, but in future I think you and Dr. North should keep your liaisons, no matter how innocent, out of Insomnia.” With that, I stand and leave.

Twenty minutes pass with no sign of Erin. Kit tells me she escorted Mack out. I get into work mode and trawl through the invoice. I see the mistake and call the vendor. By the time I’m off the phone, Erin is standing in the office doorway looking sheepish.

“Amelia, can we talk?”

“Sure, come in.”

“I am so sorry for Mack. I don’t know what got into her. I still don’t understand how that joke came about. Suffice to say, she will not visit Insomnia as anything other than a patron in the future.”

Does that mean they’re still dating? “Are you planning on seeing her again? Romantically?”

Erin shuffles in her seat and looks down at her lap. There’s my answer. God knows what lies Mack manufactured for Erin to agree to continue dating her. “Um.”

“It’s fine, Erin. That’s your choice.” Now I’m about to do something risky. “I think we should put a pause on us until you know where things are going with Mack.” I hate myself for saying it, but I need Erin to want me, and only me. I’m wasting precious energy battling with Mack.

“What? Why?”

“Honestly? I can’t date you while you’re with someone else. I like you Erin, a lot, and I want us to date exclusively. But I know you’re not on the same page as me.”

“I don’t want to stop dating you.”

“I’m not the type of person to give ultimatums, Erin. You like Mack, enough to put up with the bullshit she just pulled. And let’s not pretend it was anything but bullshit.”

“She said it was a joke.”

“And you have every right to believe her.”

“It wasn’t a joke?”

“It was a poor attempt at making me jealous.” I’m done playing. Mack is not worthy of Erin’s attention. Even if she eventually doesn’t want to be mine, she is worth more than Mackenzie North.

Fourteen

Itold Erin she needed to talk to Mack again if she wanted to hear what she really said to me at the booth. Our time in the office was short and awkward, but I meant what I said. If Erin dates Mack after this, I need to take a step back.

Mondays are dark. The club is closed and I’m happy to be doing absolutely nothing. Erin hasn’t contacted me for two days, which I suppose should give me a clue as to where I stand with her. It’s possible my brain is in shock because the consequences of my gamble haven’t hit home just yet.

I’m standing in my bathroom staring at my ass in the mirror, trying to figure out if I should even bother sticking the needle in today. Maybe a good dose of pain will snap me out of my haze.

A deep sigh escapes my entire body. I’m tired and frustrated. If my family finds out what happened with Erin in my office, I will never hear the end of it. I can already hear Lucille’s scathing remarks in my head.

“What the fuck do you mean you told her you were stepping back? Are you a goddamn moron? Of course you are. Why am I even asking? Jesus, Amelia, how are we related?”

I assume it would be along those lines. Lucille doesn’t pull punches. I’ve spent hours questioning myself. Should I have told Erin what Mack said? I could have, but Erin deserved to hear the truth from Mack. They have to sort out their relationship; I can’t be in the middle. Well, not anymore.

“Do you need some help?” Erin’s voice is usually calming, but I wasn’t expecting her and I’m sure I just had a stroke out of fear.

“Shit,” I hiss, clutching the bathroom sink with one hand. The needle in my hand is shaking violently. How did I not hear her come in?

“Sorry,” she grins.

“Yeah, you look it,” I laugh. “Are you like a ninja or something? That’s twice you’ve come into the penthouse undetected.”

“I’m light-footed. Anyway, do you… need help?”

“Sure, thanks.” I might as well take advantage of her being here. Saves me poking myself in the wrong place. “You can see where it needs to go.” I have several red marks from previous doses.