Ashton: Happy Birthday to my very best friend in the entire world.
I love you.
Shit. I completely forgot my own birthday. Leave it to the only person I can count on in my life to remember. My sister from another mister. The only person to not leave my side since the day we met. A true friend. Another text comes through from D, Ashton’s husband, making me laugh.
D: Happy Birthday Sugar Lips. You are starting to look like me with all that gray. I think it’s time to get that seen about.
Me: Don’t be jealous. You just wish you could look this good.
Me: And it’s not gray…
D: You sure about that? Could’ve fooled me.
Ashton: Babe, I need some help packing if you want to leave before dark.
D: As long as helping involves you bent over the bed, or naked, otherwise no.
Ashton: It might.
D: You’d best be ready for me when I get home then.
Me: Umm, guys, I am still here. *Enters puke emoji*
D: Don’t be jealous, P.
Me: Trust me, I’m not.
Maybe I am a little. They have the perfect relationship, and I don’t know how long it’s been since Kraig and I have done something together physically or sexually. I thought we would last night, but then we got in an argument, and he decided to catch an earlier flight. I’m not sure if he ever even came to bed.
Ashton: We love you, P. Talk soon.
D: Speak for yourself.
Me: I love y’all too. Have a safe trip.
Another ping comes through.
Jay: Happy Birthday
Wow! Even Jay remembered. Another ping.
Jay: Jeff said Happy Birthday, too.
I smile softly to myself as I read the last text. Maybe I just missed a text from Kraig. Surely he didn’t forget. I then tap on the messages between Kraig and I. Nothing.
“Maybe he is still on the plane,” I mumble to myself. Setting my phone down beside me, I decide it’s time to get up and face the day. The longer I lay here the more I contemplate if marrying Kraig is what I want. People say once you get engaged everythingchanges. I never believed in superstitions before, why start now. The harder I think on it, marrying him isn’t what I want. Not anymore.
CHAPTER 3
Payson
As I’m finishingup with the latest design plans I was assigned, Cora strides into my office. She works in housekeeping next door, and during her breaks, she likes to come over here and bask in the luxury of my designs with delicious snacks and cozy seats. I am the only one on this entire floor, which has given me a chance to showcase some of my interior designs throughout the décor.
It feels less like an office and more like a home away from home. There is even a small bed and a full wardrobe in one of the rooms, just in case I end up staying later than I intended. Which is rare. It’s mainly in there because I caught Cora sleeping in her car a few times because she refused to go home so late at night just to return a few hours later.
Even though I love what I do, it’s not the job I dreamed of having as a little girl. Working alongside Jay at The Sable Siren, designing the interiors for both the hotel and casino. That was the dream. Then I met Kraig, and somehow, that dream is no longer a reality I can see myself in.
“Are you attending the end-of-the-year party tonight?”
