Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
The pretty blonde crosses her arms over her chest, that chin sticking out.
“Oh good, so what you’re telling me is that only people who actually know me get to see these colors, right? Like the ones that I interact with, and make chitchat with every day. They’ll look me in the eye while discussing the weather, and secretly be thinking, shit, is her pussy really pussy pink? Is her asshole really coffee? Great Todd. Thanks much. I appreciate it.”
With that, Bridget steps back but doesn’t slam the door this time. Instead, she closes it lightly, and for some reason, the quiet snick feels even more devastating.
I stand there in the empty hallway, totally bewildered. What the fuck just happened? I explained my side of the story, but somehow, Bridget didn’t hear it. Or she heard it, but had a different interpretation for everything. After all, I genuinely believed those names to be flattering because her sweetest spots are delectable and gorgeous, and I thought they’d work well for our products. But instead, Bridget tells her I’ve humiliated her in front people she knows, and that the women at Sanctum are laughing at her behind their backs. Fuck fuck fuck. How did we get here?
With that, I leave the building and start wandering the city aimlessly. Fuck me, but as I walk, I pass by three Sugar Glaze salons, all of them busy with customers inside. But I don’t care at the moment because without Bridget, I have nothing. All the money in the world can’t undo this horrific clusterfuck, and as a result, here I am, stuck.
8
Bridget
* * *
I managed to take a week off to wallow in self-pity, but if I want to survive in New York, then it means I have to start working again. So yes, that means that me and the make-up counter are headed for a collision. Sadly, I slip into a polo shirt and black jeans, and then put on my comfortable loafers for standing all day. Sneakers are a no-no, but nice loafers are okay, and with a sigh, I pick up my purse and take the subway to work. Marcy’s already at the counter and waves wildly, her brown curls bobbing.
“Oh, thank God you’re here! It was hell while you were away, Bridge, but now I have so much to tell you. I feel like it’s been forever since we saw each other last.”
I smile glumly.
“It was only a week and a half, Marce.”
She nods.
“Yeah, but it feels like forever, right?” Then, my friend launches into a wild experience she had at a recent Sanctum party. Evidently, it has something to do with being upside down while two men enjoyed her body using eggplants. Well, that’s not too crazy, to be honest. After all, Sanctum is for sexual deviants, I think in a cross tone, so it in fact, that’s actually pretty normal. But Marcy continues babbling, clearly re-living the experience.
“Yeah, it was so insane! They took me using three eggplants and they were huge, Bridge. I mean, I was servicing thirty inches of vegetable at least, and in all my holes. God, I’m still sore! It’s a miracle I made it in today, that’s for sure.”
“Sounds great,” I manage in a stiff voice. “I’m really happy you’ve been enjoying yourself.”
Marcy frowns. “Are you okay, Bridge? You seem off. What’s wrong? I thought you’d be excited for me. I mean, veggies are a little weird but it felt amazing, I swear.”
I manage a wan smile.
“Yeah, sorry, everything’s fine.”
My friend frowns again.
“Girl, you usually love hearing about Sanctum events because we’re wild girls. So what gives? It’s Todd, isn’t it? That guy you met at the cauldron.”
I sigh. “Yeah. We’re not together anymore, and I can’t go to Sanctum events.”
My friend’s brow scrunches with confusion.
“What, did he like, ban you? Can they even do that?”
I shrug.
“No, it was my own choice because things are just so messed up right now. Haven’t you heard the rumors about me?”
Marcy’s eyes go wide.
“Honestly no, but Sanctum isn’t exactly a rumor mill, and I’m not really in on the skinny either.”
I sigh and stare at my hands. I don’t really want to get into it, but at the same time, spilling the beans isn’t going to make a difference. I’ve effectively been banned from Sanctum at this point because I’m too embarrassed to show my face at the club.
As a result, I launch into a quick summary, finishing with the fight Todd and I had at my apartment.
“So yeah, it’s bad,” I grouse. “Basically, my asshole and pussy are on display for everyone to see.”
Marcy shoots me a look.
“Well, I wouldn’t go that far,” she says. “I mean, it’s just nail polish colors. Not even the colors, really. Just the names.”
I stare at her.
“I’m sorry, I’m missing the part of this that’s so lighthearted. A man used the most intimate parts of me to further his career, and people at Sanctum are never going to let me live this down. This isn’t exactly something small.”