“I did what was asked of me and now I have a circuit I need to be at tomorrow,” Nash said, stepping away from us.
“Nash…” Brooks sighed.
“I kept my end of the deal,” he said, walking down a few steps.
“What are you going to do with your wife?” Mr. Yarbrough pointed at me.
“Excuse me?” I growled.
“Look, I have to go,” he said, walking away. “It was great seeing y’all. See you later, Orchid!”
“Nash!” Mr. Yarbrough yelled, following him as Mrs. Yarbrough followed her husband.
My throat tightened from the absurd scene before me. I didn’t know what I had expected from marrying Nash Yarbrough, but our moment of truce was officially over, and I couldn’t believe I thought we might have end up on the same page. I walked away from the steps of the courthouse, reminding myself that this was all for my family farm and that stupid man could go fuck himself for all I cared, as long as I got what was promised to me.
1
beau
The Denver skywas gloomy as I walked to the trendy coffee shop to meet my best friend and fellow camming co-worker, Valencia. It was our monthly meet-up. We started calling it our therapy. Between our busy lives, her two boyfriends and our jobs, we needed to just sit back, gossip and eat carbs.
The smell of pastries and coffee made my mouth water as I opened the door. A prickle of awareness made me feel immediately like I was being watched. It wasn’t often that people recognized me on the streets, but sometimes they just stared like they were trying to pinpoint where they had seen me before. Except lately, someone had followed too closely.
I shook off the bad feeling I had as I entered the building, looking around for my curly-haired goddess of a friend. She hadn’t arrived yet, so I stood in line getting our order of coffee croissants, macarons and whatever delicious pie they had on special today.
“Hey, gorgeous.” The cashier grinned at me.
“Hey, how are you?” I asked, skimming over the menu, trying not to give the guy too much attention because I couldn’tremember his name and I was exhausted by his advances even though I had told him no repeatedly.
“Oh, you know the usual, but way happier now that you’re here,” he said, leaning forward as if he had cleavage, desperate to show it off.
“Thanks,” I said smiling, trying to be aloof. “Let me have one hot matcha latte with oat milk, and one cinnamon dolce latte for here. Then one chocolate croissant, one pistachio croissant, six macarons of any flavor and one slice of the pie of the day.”
“That’s a lot of coffee and food for you,” he grinned.
“Oh, my girl is meeting me here,” I said, hating that I had to use Valencia, but this guy didn’t take no for an answer.
I was also pretty sure he was a subscriber, which didn’t sit well with me.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry I’m late.” Valencia walked up to me.
I hugged her, giving her a kiss on the cheek that was maybe a little too close to the mouth.
“It’s fine, you got here just in time,” I said, giving my card to the guy.
He took my card a little more forcefully than necessary, but hopefully he got the hint after today. After paying, I led Valencia to a table far away, holding onto her hand, pulling out her chair as she gave me a knowing look.
“Is he still making advances?” she asked, hanging her purse behind her chair.
“Unfortunately.” I rolled my eyes, taking my jacket off.
“It’s cause you’re so damn adorable.” She grinned. “It’s that boy next door look, but I’m pretty sure he knows you’re a freak.”
“Shut up,” I said, wishing I had something to throw at her. “I think that’s what has weirded me out the most, is that he is a subscriber.”
“See, this is why I wear a mask,” she said. “Ruby Dix doesn’t need men leering at her in public and honestly, I’m just tooafraid of someone getting too close. Parasocial relationships are the worst.”
I shivered. Someone had been getting too close, but I hadn’t said anything to her, or anyone yet. They were harmless or at least that’s what I kept telling myself.
