Chapter 537
Chapter 537:
I had felt the same about Rhys. Every unwanted reappearance after the breakup chipped away at whatever goodwill remained. So why did Ashton’s absence feel like a wound?
Yvaine kicked open my flat door without knocking. “Up. Now. You’re not rotting here tonight p>
I didn’t look up from my wine. “I’m busy p>
She snatched the bottle from my hands. “Staring at walls isn’t a hobby.” Before I could protest, she hauled me to my feet and into a taxi.
La Lune was all neon and sweat, the air thick with perfume and bass. On stage, a man in a police uniform—badly unbuttoned—swung around a pole to the roar of the crowd.
Yvaine shoved me into a velvet booth. “Two vodka sodas. And tell Antoine I want the special for her.” She jerked a thumb at me.
“No specials,” he said.
“Rubbish,” she replied. She leaned in. “You need something to loosen up. Two months is plenty to get over a man. Even one like Ashton p>
“I am over him,” I said.
The drinks arrived, followed by a man—tall, dark-haired, with a jawline that almost hit right angles. His smile was too slick, his eyes too eager.
“This one’s shy,” Yvaine told him, sliding a fifty into his waistband. “Be persuasive p>
He knelt in front of me, fingers trailing up my thigh. “You’re much prettier than the other girls here.” My skin crawled. “Don’t p>
He grinned, undeterred, and leaned closer. “Come on, chérie p>
I shoved him back hard enough to topple him onto the floor.
Yvaine groaned. “Christ, Mira. You’re acting like he’s diseased p>
“I’m not paying to be groped by a stranger p>
“You’re not paying, I am.” She flicked her nails at the dancer. “Go on, then. She’s hopeless p>
gαℓησν𝒆ℓs․com is your story source
As he slunk away, Yvaine spun on me. “My new boyfriend’s a model. He’s got friends. Hot ones. We could do double dates p>
“No thanks, I’m fine p>
“Liar.” She jabbed a finger at my chest. “You’re not fine. You’re just saying you are p>
The music pounded, too loud. I knocked back my drink. “Can we just not p>
She opened her mouth, then huffed. “Fine. But you’re drinking properly tonight.” We did.
An hour later, Yvaine abandoned me for a drinking game with a group of men who looked as if they’d been carved from the same marble slab. I slipped away, climbing the stairs to the rooftop terrace.
Cold air hit my face. Below, Paris glittered. Above, fireworks exploded in gold streaks—just like the ones Ashton had arranged for my birthday.
I pulled out my phone. Missed calls from Rhys and Daniel. Nothing from Ashton.
When I returned to the booth, Yvaine shoved something at me. “Take this p>
“What is it?” I looked down at the envelope.
“A cruise to the Mediterranean. You need to get away from work. A change of scenery will do you good p>
She had a point. I took the envelope. “Are you coming with me p>
“Nope. It’s a singles’ cruise. And you’re getting on that ship if I have to hogtie you and throw you on board myself p>