Page 46 of Serena

Hey, can you talk?

Yuri

Of course. Finishing up a class. Call you in five.

I told Yuri that I needed help because I had a date coming up. That’s all it took, and she was at my front door within twenty minutes. She’s sitting down on my couch, basically bouncing with anticipation.

“So, who’s the lucky guy?” She is practically salivating for a name.

“You first have to promise not to start planning my wedding or anything extreme?”

“No, but tell me, I’m dying to know.”

Shit. Okay, here we go. “Ian Kayde.”

“What!” she screams. Then jumps and claps her hands. “Serena!”

She shrieks and throws herself at me, causing me to fall back onto the couch.

“I knew he was into you. That man was practically devouring you the night of the concert. I was drunk but not blind. Theo and I actually talked about it the day after. We knew it was a long shot though.”

“For me or him?” I ask.

“For him. You’re a catch.” She pauses. “Wait, isn’t he engaged?” The reminder of Mila sours the moment. “He explained that. Short story, no, he isn’t.” I can see her concern; my best friend is very protective of me, as I am of her.

“Okay, tell me everything.” And I do, of course, leaving out some details.

“He seems obsessed with you. I mean, it can be hot, but also intense. Are you ready for that?” She voices one of my fears. What if this is just a temporary, heat-of-the-moment thing?

“That’s why I’m trying to keep him at arm’s length. Tengo miedo,” I tell her.

“Being scared is only going to hold you back. If you want to see where this goes, you need to let him in. Not all at once, one inch at a time.” She hugs me and then pulls back. “If he hurts you, we can use the knife he gave you to chop off his dick. Now, let's go shopping.”

Yuri and I head to her favorite boutique, with Gus driving us. This girl knows me because as soon as we arrive, her usual stylist is waiting with a couple of selections. Since I have no idea what the date entails, I stick to a sexy, curve-hugging pair of jeans and a black lace top that accentuates my breasts.

“I’d do you in a heartbeat,” Yuri says.

“Good to know I have options.” I wink. Although I think Ian would have an issue with that. But I don’t tell her. I don’t wantto take his threats seriously, but my gut tells me the opposite. I have my secrets, but they don’t compare to killing.

“Are you excited?” Yuri interrupts my thoughts.

“To be honest, yes, I am. But I’m going to take things one day at a time.” I let her know what happened with Byran and my mother, and because she keeps looking at my hand, I tell her a portion of what happened there too. I exclude the part where Elias came to my rescue and my apartment was damaged.

“Serena, why didn’t you call me?” she chastises.

“Because I thought I could handle it, and I did.” A lie.

“You are so stubborn. You know I’m here for you.”

It’s true, she’s always been there for me, but she already has so much going on. “I promise I’ll be better about asking for help.” Gus and I drop her off, and within minutes, I hear my phone vibrate.

Yuri

Serena is getting that Ian Kayde dick!

Theo

I knew it! There was some serious tension there on my birthday. And what was that at your apartment?