Page 18 of Heartless

He scoffed.“That’s just fucking, brother.Do I need to explain the difference?”

“In two weeks, she’ll be expecting a ring.”

Silas smirked.“Care to make it interesting?”

“What do you have in mind?”

My friend handed me a beer.“Two weeks.Full declaration of love, or a bottle of Weller Millennium.”

“You’re on.”

Chapter Six—Treasure chest

Sienna

The door of my bathroom opened on Gabby, who pushed her shoulder against the doorjamb and crossed her arms on her chest.

Gabrielle Vivien Ashford and I had met during her only semester in my high school during junior year.She’d been sent there by her parents as a punishment after she’d poured packs of Jello into the two hot tubs of her parents’ house when they’d refused to buy her a new car.

Even then, she’d been the typical modern princess: stylish, seriously pretty, and popular.So, I’d kept my distance.Then, one day, I’d found her in tears in the cafeteria bathroom.After I’d handed her a tissue, we’d talked about her parents’ divorce caused by her mom’s multiple affairs.She’d sided with her dad, who, in return, had spoiled her with everything but his time.

That day, I’d discovered there were two Gabbys.The aloof princess, and the girl who was smart, funny, and who’d just wanted her parents not to hate each other.We’d been friends ever since and remained close even after she’d gone back to her private school.

Right now, I wasn’t sure which Gabby I was getting.I finished swiping the makeup off my lid, tossed the cotton pad in the small trash bin, and peered up in the mirror at her reflection behind me.

Her mouth curled in a smirk.“You little whore,” she sang-song.“I’m impressed, Nana.”

I exhaled a slow breath before turning on the faucets.Gabby did that all the time with her other friends, but I never understood the appeal of women calling each other derogatory names as a form of bonding.In fact, I hated it, and she knew it.Those were the first words she’d uttered since we’d left the club, and I used the reprieve of the cold water on my face to squash my rising anger.

Once I was done, I pivoted toward her, pushing my lower back against the sink.“Excuse me?”

She rolled her eyes.“Don’t be such a prude.It’s a compliment.If I knew Sin Jake was into geeky nuns, I would’ve—”

“That’s enough, Gabby.”

Blinking fast, she raised her palm up with her fingers sprayed.“Whoa, calm down—”