Page 2
Life is an adventure
“P ress your wrists together so I can bind them.”
I automatically do as I’m told, transfixed as I watch him slowly wrap the rope around my wrists and pull it taut before securing it with an intricate knot.
With a lustful gaze, he growls, “How does it feel to be helpless?”
I bolt upright in my bed, gasping for breath while the seductive tone of his question rings in my ears.
Goosebumps cover my skin. After accidentally coming across a photo of a woman bound in rope while scrolling, I haven’t been able to get the image out of my mind—not even in my sleep!
The idea of someone tying me up has never been a turn-on. Proudly independent, I have zero interest in handing over that level of control to anyone. I don’t trust people that much—not even my boyfriend.
Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, my bedroom fills with a soft glow the moment I touch it. I groan when I see that it’s three in the morning. With a long workday ahead, I’m desperate for sleep. So, I check out funny kitten videos, in the hopes of forgetting the unsettling dream.
Sadly, as cute as the tiny balls of fluff are, they aren’t enough to erase the lingering unease the dream has caused. Still wide awake, I concede defeat and throw back my covers in frustration.
I instantly regret my decision when the winter chill of my apartment hits my bare skin. I race to the bathroom to start a hot shower.
While breathing in the relaxing scent of chamomile as I lather up, my phone rings in the bedroom. At this odd hour, my mind instantly imagines the worst.
Grabbing a towel off the rack, I hurry out of the bathroom to answer it. I haven’t heard from my best friend Gwen in weeks! I grab the phone with my slippery hands, struggling to hit the answer button, and ask fearfully, “Are you okay?”
The sound of Gwen’s light laughter instantly calms my nerves. “Nothing’s wrong, silly!”
Grateful to hear she’s okay, I give her a hard time, “Then why the heck are you calling me this early in the morning?”
“I had a feeling you were up and just wanted to check in to make sure everything’s okay.”
Gwen has always had an uncanny ability to sense my emotions like that. Shivering in the cold, I dive under the bedcovers before explaining. “I had a weird dream that woke me up.” Not wanting to admit that it was about bondage, I change the subject by asking, “What’s been going on with you?”
She sighs. “Because I’ve had extra-long rehearsals every night with our lead actress being out sick the past two weeks, I finally remembered to check my mailbox.”
“Don’t tell me, you forgot to pay an important bill.”
“No, goof…” Gwen lets out a happy squeal. “I got an invitation to the Luxe Escape for New Year’s Eve!”
I snort. “I didn’t know it was open. Hasn’t it been under construction for over a year?”
“Yep, and New Year’s Eve is going to be their grand opening!”
“Wow,” I remark, feigning excitement. The truth is that Gwen gets invited to tons of events because of her connections in the theater world.
“You don’t understand, Soph! Nobody I know has received an invitation.”
Now interested, I sit up in bed. “How did you get so lucky?”
“I have no clue! But this whole party is totally hush-hush, and the invitation states that phones aren’t allowed.”
“That seems strange.”
“If they don’t want people sharing about it on social media that means it’s going to be something spectacular! And that’s not even the best part…” Gwen pauses for several moments for dramatic effect.
I roll my eyes, groaning at her theatrics. “Enough with teasing me this early in the morning…”
“Fine!” She laughs, bursting out excitedly, “I get to invite one guest and I want it to be you!”
Instead of being thrilled, my heart sinks because of what I have to tell her. “I would love to go with you, G. But Noah got us tickets for the ferry so we can see the fireworks over the Statue of Liberty. It’s an all-night event with hors d’oeuvres and everything.”
I feel bad when I hear the disappointment in her voice. “But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Sophie.”
I groan, knowing she’s right. “Noah’s had this planned for months. I can’t turn him down at the last second.”
“Like he did to you on your birthday?”
Hearing her disapproval, I speak up in his defense, “But this is his way of making it up to me.”
“You deserve better.”
I roll my eyes. Noah is the first serious boyfriend I’ve ever had, so it stings to hear her say that. “You haven’t had the chance to get to know him.”
Gwen is silent for a moment. “Well, I know he spends way too much time playing video games with his nerdy friends on that dang gaming channel.”
I snort. “Yeah, I’ll admit it can get tedious sometimes. But Noah is exceptionally good at it.” Appealing to our lifelong friendship, I remind her, “I told you that things are starting to get serious with Noah, and I’d like your support.”
“I sincerely hope the two of you have fun on the ferry,” she answers dutifully, but can’t help adding, “…even though you’d have a way better time at the Luxe Escape with me.”
I chuckle. “You can tell me about everything I missed on New Year’s Day.”
“Oh, I plan to,” she teases, then sighs. “I guess I have no other choice but to replace you with the hottest guy I can find.”
“That’s the spirit!” I encourage her.
But I can still hear her disappointment when she says, “You do you, boo. I’m just sorry you are going to miss out.”
“Me, too.”
“But there’s one thing I insist on,” she declares.
“What?” I ask hesitantly.
“You have to help me pick out a killer outfit for the party.”
“You got it!” I pull up the calendar on my phone. “When do you plan to go shopping?”
“I don’t have much time, so it has to be today.”
I grimace. “Sorry, G. But I’m totally booked.”
“When’s your first piano lesson?”
“Eleven.”
“Perfect, then we have plenty of time,” she assures me. “I’ve got to head to rehearsal at noon, so I’ll swing by to pick you up in two hours.”
“Hello?” I laugh, thinking she’s nuts. “Did you forget that shops don’t open until eleven in New York?”
“Department stores, sure. But where we’re going is by appointment only.”
I mutter with amusement, “Guess it’s a good thing I couldn’t sleep, huh?”
“You got that right! Be prepared to be pampered by the staff while I try on every gorgeous gown they have.”
I smile after hanging up. It’s amazing that the two of us have remained besties despite how different we are. Ever since kindergarten, Gwen has wanted to be a Broadway actress—despite her parents routinely discouraging her ambition. She’s out to prove them wrong, busting her butt every day to establish herself in off-Broadway shows.
Like Gwen, I also have an artistic dream, but mine has always been to play in the New York Philharmonic. Unlike her, however, I have not been able to gain a foothold in the highly competitive world of concert pianists.
Instead of playing in a huge concert hall, I make my living teaching piano to the children of New York’s elites. Although it’s a far cry from playing alongside the best musicians in the country, it does allow me to pay rent and keeps me entertained. Oh, the stories I could tell…
Letting out a huge yawn, I glance at the clock, unsure if I’m ready for this impromptu outing. Shopping with Gwen is always an experience.
Growing up in a one-parent home, my lifestyle is nothing like Gwen’s. She was born into money—and lots of it! I’m used to buying off the discount rack, while Gwen shops at high-end boutiques with attendants who fawn over her. That kind of attention makes me extremely uncomfortable, but she adores it.
I can’t help feeling a little nervous as I wait for her to arrive outside my apartment. When the taxi finally pulls up to the curb, Gwen lowers the backseat window and waves at me.
“You do realize how crazy this is?” I laugh as she opens the door and I scoot inside. I nod to the cab driver, but the man barely glances at me before returning his gaze to Gwen. That happens all the time when I’m with her. Men can’t help being drawn to Gwen.
The truth is no one can.
Gwen possesses a magnetic personality. Even as a child, she had the ability to draw all the attention in a room. I’ve seen firsthand how it can be an advantage…and a curse.
As for me, I prefer being invisible because it has underrated benefits. I never have to put on an act for anyone or explain myself, and I don’t need to worry about what I am wearing. The truth is, I’m happy to be a card-carrying wallflower.
It’s my secret superpower.
“Ready to have some fun?” Gwen squeals, hugging me tight. We spend the drive catching up and, before I know it, the taxi is pulling up to the posh boutique. All the other shops on the street are dark, but this one is all lit up, showcasing its stylish mannequins in the window.
A male attendant hurries out to greet us and opens the cab door. A klutz by nature, I struggle to exit with any grace and glance at him with an awkward grin.
He smiles politely and then turns his attention to Gwen, who slides out of the car with ladylike poise. “Miss Huntington,” he states in a respectful tone.
The moment I enter the boutique, I’m hit with the pleasant aroma of vanilla spice. I also notice two additional attendants waiting to serve us. A chic-looking woman comes from the back and glides up to Gwen.
“We’re so happy to see you this morning, Miss Huntington. I’ve already selected several gowns based on your specifications, and we have an array of breakfast items for you to enjoy.”
While the attendants take our jackets, I look at Gwen in amusement and whisper, “Breakfast, too?”
“Only the best for my bestie!”
The personal stylist, Lorelei, leads us to the dressing area. Since I’m used to trying on clothes in those tiny stalls you find in department stores, I’m impressed by the spacious room, which sports a raised stage with floor-to-ceiling mirrors around it. I also spy a glass coffee table laden with fresh fruit, cheeses, and numerous pastries.
Gwen sits down on the large, overstuffed loveseat and pats the cushion beside her. “I figured we’d start with a latte, but if you’d rather have a mimosa, they’ve got you covered.” She points to a cart with chilled champagne, fluted glasses, and a pitcher of fresh orange juice.
I shiver, still cold from the drive, and assure Gwen, “A latte sounds perfect right now.”
After sitting down, an attendant with purple hair hands me a large mug with a design of a snowflake in the frothed milk.
“Wow, that’s beautiful,” I purr, wrapping my cold hands around the hot mug.
She looks pleased and nods. “Enjoy.”
Snuggling next to Gwen, I tell her, “Hanging with you is always an adventure.” I lean over and snag a large croissant from the table. The light, buttery goodness flakes off in my mouth, and I moan in delight.
While the two of us sample the various breakfast items, Lorelei instructs her attendants to bring out the gowns. One by one, the three hang them up for her to view.
Each dress is sleek and sophisticated, just like Gwen, and I smirk. “You know it’s going to be impossible to choose.”
Gwen’s eyes sparkle when she agrees, “They are stunning, aren’t they?”
She then turns to Lorelai. “Do you have the other collection as well?”
“Of course, Miss Huntington.”
I reach for a fruit tart and tease, “ Another collection, G?”
“Just wait until you see them!”
I nibble daintily on the tart, trying to act all classy-like, while the attendants hang up another set of dresses. I find these far more glittery and glamorous than the first assortment.
“Of the two collections, which one do you like best?” Gwen asks me.
I sit back and pretend to study them both, but there’s no contest. “The second collection, a hundred percent.”
“I thought you might say that.”
“You know me—I can’t resist anything that sparkles.” I pop the rest of the tart in my mouth and hastily grab a napkin when some of the raspberry filling drips down my chin.
Ignoring my little mishap, Gwen sets her coffee on the table and promptly stands up, grinning like a Cheshire cat. “I’ve got a little surprise for you.”