Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 5
Honey
Rya and I sit around her kitchen counter, polishing off the last of the Tiramisu I made while Marco enjoys a coffee and reads a paper at the circular coffee table closest to the windows. It blows my mind that despite how massive the kitchen is in this place, neither Crue nor Rya use it. And although, at first, I thought I’d been encroaching the last week, I’ve spent much of my time in the kitchen with their personal chef. We gave each other cooking tips, and it was the one thing that made me feel at home. I always cooked at home, and it simply made me happy.
“Damn, Honey, that was good.” Rya pats her stomach.
I sheepishly smile. “I saved one last piece for Lawson and want to know what his critique on it is,” I say thoughtfully, referring to their chef. Besides my deceased Nonna, no one in my family cooks, so it’s nice to share with someone who loves cooking as much as I do.
“How’s the job hunting going?” Rya asks me.
My father’s allowance is more than enough that I don’t need a job while I’m here, but I’ve never had to work, and I want to give it a go, so I’ve been applying for jobs since I arrived. It’s hard when you’re twenty-seven and have no real experience. So, I’ve applied for various roles, but I’m not entirely sure what I want.
“I’ve been applying. I just don’t know what I want to do.”
My life has been laid out for me until now, and I never thought about what I might want for myself. I envy Rya for paving her own path, but I’m not her.
“Take your time. You’ve only just moved here. I know they’re looking for a receptionist at my hot yoga studio.”
“Maybe,” I say, considering it.
The elevator doors to the penthouse open, Crue waltzes in, and his usual fitted black attire looks pristine. He presses a kiss to Rya’s cheek in greeting and drops a set of keys in front of me.
Rya pins him with a stare, but he pays her no mind.
“To your place,” he tells me.
“Sorry, what?” I ask, confused.
“Two floors down. You”—he points to me—“move now.”
“Crue,” Rya scolds, and he turns to her.
“I want to tie you to the bed and have you scream. Do you really want me to do that while your sister is here?” Crue asks her.
I try not to choke as I throw back the rest of my coffee.
And that is definitely my cue to leave.
And I don’t take it personally.
“Okay, I’ll pack my things,” I state, standing.
To be honest, I’m grateful he’s given me a place to live. I love spending time with Rya when she’s home, but listening to my sister and her husband have sex every single night is painful. And even noise-cancelling headphones only block out so much. I haven’t told Rya I’ve been looking at apartments, but this makes it much easier. Although, when I looked this morning, there wasn’t one available in this building, so it must have recently been listed.
“You don’t have to go,” Rya says, pinning Crue with a glare as she follows me into the spare room.
Happily, I throw my clothes into the suitcase and smile at her. “Rya, it’s fine. I was already looking at getting my own place, so this works out. I love you, but shit, you two are loud.” She doesn’t even blush. “You’re newlyweds, and you need your own space, so it’s good for me to have my own. I can’t remember the last time I was alone.”
Pretty sure the answer to that is never.
I’m excited to have a place to myself. It will most likely be quiet, but it might give me the space to figure out who I am and what I want. “This was meant to be a fresh start for me, but it is for you two as well. I’m fine with it. I’m twenty-seven… this is a normal step.”
Rya seems hesitant but nods, seeming to understand. “Do you need money?”
I laugh. “You’ve met our overprotective father, right? He sends me a weekly allowance.”
My phone pings, and I pull it out of my pocket. I read the message, and my stomach swirls with anticipation. “Oh my God! I have a job interview tomorrow.”
“Really? Where?” she asks, leaning over my shoulder.
“There’s a lingerie shop not far from here, so within walking distance, that’s looking for staff. I dropped by yesterday and asked the manager about the job. Wow.” I feel almost shocked by how serendipitous this all is and how quickly it’s taking shape right before me.
“I think I know the one you’re talking about,” Rya says. “If you want to come work for me, I can maybe try to work out something as well.”
Laughing, I shake my head. “No, I will leave all that stuff to you. I could think of nothing worse,” I tell her, not as an insult, which she gets. All my life I’ve had people control me. I almost feel like the lingerie shop is completely out of my wheelhouse in every way possible, and I’m excited by that.