I didn't answer, and she went out to do as I'd asked.
"Hip-fucking-hooray. My ex, the man I swore off, is now hailed as a hero at my own company. The only thing left is for them to put Bruno on their shoulders and carry him around while I stand by and watch," I muttered to myself.
Even in my somber mood, sunlight forced its way through the tall office windows and into my face. I sat there, tormented and silent. I was fairly certain soon many in my staff would liken Bruno to Amoré Nights' savior, and I was left with nothing but bruised pride. I didn't want that man to rescue me. Given a few short hours, I would've thought of the same solution. All he did was think quickly on his feet. Now, he'd be called on to make good decisions under pressure.
Give me a break.
Where was that skill when he decided to screw Monique?
SIX
Drowning In Disappointment
The beat dropped, and my thighs burned, but I pressed the pedals harder, letting the music swallow the pain. In the low-lit studio, I kept pushing while the instructor shouted.
"You can do it, ladies. Don't quit."
For some, her voice might be annoying, but I found it motivational. I focused on the large window that framed Manhattan in the morning light, like a moving postcard, and kept going. When the song finally ended and a new one began, I looked around the room at my friends: Demetria gritted her teeth, Mei mouthed the lyrics, and Olivia rode like her soul depended on it. We looked put together, four women sweating in sync on thousand-dollar bikes, but in my case, looks could be deceiving. My foot slipped on the pedal, just a bit, and the city shook. Bruno's resurgence had thrown my world off center. Still, in here, with the city watching, I spun like nothing could touch me.
When the spin class finally ended, I was drenched. We all were. We headed to the sauna when Demetria spoke. "How's the launch coming?"
She meant Bruno but knew I might lose my shit if she mentioned him.
"Yes, isn't the Amoré Nights team still all in one piece?" Mei asked.
Olivia shook her head. "Don't worry, I've got bail money ready, girl."
"Why don't you guys understand how unbothered I am by him now? Bruno is not someone I feel anything for anymore. I'm not blushing at the office. He is like a stapler. Sometimes useful, mostly clutter."
Mei winked at me, and I knew what was coming before she said a word. "Use him to fill any holes lately?"
"Fuck no. I have a whole app at my disposal. Why would I let Bruno get near me again?"
It was only a matter of time before Demetria gave her two cents, and she never varied. "You two were perfect together. It was sad how it ended."
"That was all him," Olivia added as we settled into the steam room.
"Can we discuss someone other than me? Who are you people fucking?"
Mei smiled. "My latest is an actor. He saw me walking on a runway and already paid for a semester of medical school."
The three of us dropped our jaws in unison.
"Damn, Mei, you have gold down there."
She shook her head. "He hasn't even gotten any yet. Just a rich man showing off, so I gave him a bill to impress me with."
Laughter echoed off the cedar walls as we lounged in the sauna, sweat glistening and spirits high, like it often was when we were together.
"Olivia, how is wedding planning going?" I asked.
"If I knew it would be so annoying, I'd have just dragged Luke to elope in Vegas," she said, causing us to switch attention to her.
"Elope? Both of your families are old money, upper society. They would kill you," I pointed out.
My friend sighed. "Exactly. It's not happening."
"Just remember, you stole the groom from his lesbian fiancée. Annoying or not, you'd better plan your victory party," Mei teased.
