Page 10 of The Toy Maker

“No.” She bit the inside of her lip. “I chose him.”

I blinked, my gaze snapping to Jade for an explanation. “And?”

Jade scowled. “He decided that having someone committed to him was too strenuous and dumped her for another girl.”

Sarah’s eyes sparkled with tears she tried forcing away.

“Then why is he here?” I gaped at them, the gears in my head unable to turn and process this information.

She shrugged. “He wants to get back together, but I’ve been ignoring his calls.”

“What about his side chick?” The question left my mouth before I fully thought it through.

Jade’s eyes flashed with warning, but it was too late.

Sarah stiffened, her breath hitching as her composure cracked at the edges. “I don’t know who she is, but I think she’s a Cherry.”

My eyes widened in shock. Of course, the story ended in betrayal and mystery. A bell sound came out of the speakers, and all my other thoughts were replaced with panic.

“That’s our cue,” Jade said, looking at me warily.

Beside her, Sarah hastily wiped away the few tears that had slipped free, dragging her fingers under her eyes to salvage her makeup. The effort was quick, practiced, like she had done it a thousand times before. When she turned back, a smile stretched across her lips, too perfect to be real.

Without someone telling me, I would have never considered it could be fake.

I followed them out the same door that had ushered me into the world of vanities, lingerie, and not-so-vague dick jokes. The air was thick with the scent of perfume and liquor, and my pulsequickened as I braced myself for the worst—an onslaught of unzipped jeans, lewd catcalls, hands reaching, grabbing.

But as I stepped onto the main floor, I hesitated. The store looked the same as when I arrived, all sleek displays and strategically dim lighting.

The dark room made my white outfit glow intensely underneath the black lights. However, no one shined brighter than Sarah. Clearly, she had planned her neon look and dressed to impress.

She gleamed, the fluorescent pinks and electric blues of her lingerie carefully placed to highlight her every curve. She had dressed to impress, and it worked. Men turned their heads as she passed, some shamelessly staring, their mouths slightly open, their drinks forgotten in their hands.

“Lucas.” She walked over to where he stood with her head held high.

The man in front of her couldn’t be more than 5′8, but what he lacked in height he made up with muscle. I rarely saw someone so hulked out but not revolting-looking. Lucas looked attractive with dirty blond hair and the kind of blue eyes that made you question your own appearance.

After a few seconds, Jade pulled me away and led me through the crowd.

“Think she’ll be okay?” I yelled over the music blasting out of the speakers.

“She’s a big girl!” Jade shouted back. “Her bite is way bigger than her bark.”

She seemed to know what she was talking about, so I took her word for it.

“I have to go find my prince now, so you’re on babysitting duty!” Jade told Kitty.

She nodded and waved for me to follow her to a corner where the noise didn’t prevent us from having a conversation.

Kitty planned her outfit to suit the night, too. Her unusual hair color made her unmistakably easy to spot underneath the lights.

“Tonight, you’re going to learn what being a Cherry is all about.” Her grin stretched wide, excitement practically oozing from her pores.

“Great.” I nodded and overcompensated for my nerves with an uncomfortable smile in return.

She explained how I should expect a second bell to signal the beginning of the night. In a few seconds, it went off, and the music dropped to a lower volume.

Everyone stopped where they were and turned toward the stage. Instead of a barely dressed Cherry standing on the end of the catwalk, a man waited for the room to get quiet enough for him to speak.