And Imeaneverything, and she knows it, too.
Olivia sinks into my hug, holding me tighter. “Of course, Loo. I’m just glad you’re here and safe. Now, enough sadness. Come look at the special editions!” She takes me to the table closest to the door and hands me a book. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
The book is wrapped in art I commissioned from an artist I met on BookTok, and the lettering is in silver foil. The scene is of Vera standing over one of her many victims, and she stands stoically, her weapon to her side, with wind-swept hair, and she’s looking over the Boston skyline. It’s a popular scene from the end of book one that resonated with many readers because Vera admits she likes killing the world's vermin. She wouldn’t apologize for being a vigilante, either. Vera is unapologetically herself, and I wish I could be like her sometimes. I’m unsure if I could kill anyone forfun, as Vera does, but if pushed far enough, maybe? I don’t know. However, we are alike in other aspects, because I gave her my trauma.
“They are gorgeous, Liv. I should start paying you as my PA because what the hell! How did you do this?”
“I asked the artist who did the artwork if they could rework it into a book cover for the special edition. They were happy to do so! And I wouldn’t say no to being put on Luna Stirling's payroll.” Olivia laughs.
I give her a nudge. “Say less. Welcome to the team. It’s me, myself, and I, so getting used to the voices could prove challenging.” We laugh, but Olivia perks up suddenly and dashes to the bar, holding her finger up. “Do you have a marker so I can start signing a few?” I ask, watching her dip below the bar, and she pulls out a bottle of Dom Perignon and two champagne flutes. “Olivia, you didn’t!” I shout, walking over to the bar.
“Oh, hush! I’ve been saving this for years. I bought it with my first big girl paycheck and told myself I’d save it for a moment just like this. So, if you don’t mind, just shut the fuck up and drink the drink.” Olivia smiles, handing me the champagne flute.
I laugh, shaking my head. “You’re killing me.”
Olivia hums against her flute, “Speaking of killing you—we are going out tonight. We're heading to Pyre to celebrate before the big night! I know the owner, Jordyn Forthsythe. She’ll get us past the insane line that’s always out front.”
I nearly choked on the champagne. “What? Liv, you know how I am about crowds and loud people. Why would you torture me?”
“Oh, please, Luna. It’s one night, and I know the owner. She’s a fan, dying to meet you. We’ll have VIP treatment at the hottest nightclub in Boston. It’s going to be fun, Loo. Trust me.”
“Well, technically, it will be two nights because of both events. I don’t know if my social meter is calibrated for that just yet,” I say sheepishly, sipping on my champagne.
“Luna Stirling—”
“Uh-oh, she’s using my last name. I’m in trouble now.” I joke, but Olivia does not find it as funny.
“I’m trying to be serious, Luna. I need you to hear me. You are a strong, independent woman who has just come out of a terrible situation, but you’re on the other side of the country now, in a city too big for Greg to care to find you, and thanks to my friend, he can’t. I think it’s time you brought some fun back into your life. You’ve got your routine down. What’s the harm in letting loose every once in a while?” Olivia raises her drink. “So, are you coming tonight?”
I bite my bottom lip, letting her words sink in before I respond.
She’s right. I need to get out. So, what’s stopping me? It’s time to bury the past and move on from it, right? “Fine. I will come out tonight. Pyre is a cool nightclub name, and I want to see what it looks like for myself.” I say, giving Olivia a shy smile, still unsure if I made the right choice.
“Yay! Finish your glass, and I’ll get you that marker,” Olivia says, throwing hers back and disappearing to the back.
I laugh at her giddiness, returning to the display table, and place the book I’ve been holding back in its place.
Olivia steps out from behind and hands me the marker. “I think you should sign at least ten books from each stack. You’ll have to sign more during the event, but at least you won’t have to sign them all at once. About two hundred people are expected to come, which is great because I ordered enough for the event to stock the shelves afterward.”
I nod, blowing out a breath. “Sounds great. I’ll get right on it, Personal Assistant Lady!”
“Good. If you need me, I’ll be in the back rearranging.” Olive turns on her heel, exaggerating her hip sway to make herself look more bossy.
I smile as I open the first book, looking over the art once again, and get to signing.
Luna
My phone dings, and I pick it up off my bed to see that Olivia is on her way to pick me up. I undo my heatless curler, spritz oil on my hands, and run my fingers through my dark hair.
The curls set nicely, and I only applied mascara, blush, and cherry chapstick. There’s no point in doing more because tonight’s about having fun, not looking good.
I walk to my kitchen and open a can of wet food for Binx. He quickly comes down from his perch on the window, rubbing against my legs. “Hi, sweet boy. Are you ready for dinner?” I say as I put the food down for him, and he immediately starts devouring it. “I will take that as a strong yes.”
A knock on my door startles me, and I tiptoe over to it, peeking out the peephole. Old habits die hard, but I won’t answer the door unless I look through it, and when I do, I find Olivia in a skin-tight purple bodycon dress. I swing the door open, mouth agape. “Hello, hottie!”
“Pick your jaw off the floor, baby girl,” Olivia says with a wicked smile, pushing past me.
“Holy shit, you look good, Liv!” I say as I shut the door behind her.
