Was it the best decision I ever made?No. But would I do it again?In a heartbeat.
The initial loan amount wasn’t bad, but with Gio’s insane terms and close to a forty percent interest rate, the debt has been difficult to pay off. Even though I haven’t borrowed any more money despite Remi’s ongoing treatments, I’ve barely touched the principal after the interest eats up almost all of my payments.
So now instead of hospital bills threatening to bury me alive, I have Giovanni Moretti for that.
He’s been patient, but I know I’m pushing the limit. When he approached me a year ago about a job opening at a local club he’s got his hands in, I didn’t exactly feel like I could say no. Gio’s intimidating, sure, but he’s just a loan shark. It’s not like he’s one of the Irish Devils or the Russian Bratva.
“Are you working tonight?” Lily interrupts my train of thought before it can run off its tracks.
“No. I took tonight off.” I give her a look. “It’s an injection day.”
Lily winces.
“I should have just enough time to grab another coffee before picking Remi up for her appointment.”
“Speaking of the devil…” The hesitation in Lily’s tone immediately has my full attention. Seeing the flash of alarm in my eyes, Lily continues quickly, “The daycare called. They couldn’t reach you, so they called my cell.”
“And you waited until now to tell me?” Lily’s been in here for at least five minutes. “Is everything okay? Is Remi okay?” My mind instantly spirals into every possible worst-case scenario.
“Remi’s fine. She’s fine.” Lily instantly picks up on where my mind’s gone and rushes to reassure me before she winces again. “But you need to go pick her up. Your feral little nightmare just hit another kid.”
“Fuck.” I glance up at the clock. I was supposed to stay and lock up the studio after the girls left, and even though they had already been dismissed, they don't seem to be in any hurry, judging by how they’re sprawled out across the floor chatting.
“I’ll cover for you,” Lily offers quietly, urging me toward the door.“I have class in an hour, anyway.”
“Thanks, Lil!” I exhale, rushing to grab my bag and water bottle.
“Pancakes for dinner?”she asks, attempting to lighten the mood.
“Pancakes for dinner,” I confirm. Breakfast for dinner is Remi’s favorite. We always make them together on injection days.
“Alright, give your little devil-spawn a kiss from Auntie Lily, okay?” She smiles. “I’ll see you guys later at home.”
“I will!” I call back as I rush out the door to go pick up my daughter.
3
NO
BRIAR
Then…
“Briar… Earth to Briar.” Lily shakes me, drawing my attention away from the tattooed nightmare god watching me and back to her.
“What?”
“Ali’s here!” Lily links her arm through mine, dragging me away with her. I have just enough time to reach out and grab the glass I’d finally gotten the bartender to give me.
As Lily tugs me through the crowd, I throw back a few big gulps of my vodka soda.Alcohol. I’m going to need so much more alcohol to survive being dragged around by her all night.
“Oh my god, Miles is with them!” Lily reels on me, her expression an equal mix of horror and excitement. The sudden change of direction forces me to pull up short, and the liquid in my glass sloshes dangerously up the sides, almost spilling over the rim. “He’s so effing hot! Did he see me?”
I huff out a breath, steadying my glass. Recovering, I peek over her shoulder, catching sight of Miles Phillips smiling at the back of Lily’s head.
“Safe to say he saw you.” I smile at her, attempting to spin her back around, but she doesn’t budge. “Well, what are you waiting for?” I nudge her again in Miles’ direction. “Go talk to him.”
Lily’s cheeks flush a bright scarlet. She’s been crushing on Miles for weeks now, ever since she met him at the Harvard regatta Ben had invited us both to over spring break.
