Page 134 of Chemistry: The Chemist

“Magnificent. Memorable. Ma–”

“I get it,” she sassed, lifting the top of the box in my hand without my permission.

“Baby, what are you doing?”

“This better be pre-owned.” Roulette scoffed.

By the flaring of her nose and the way she looked up at me with eyes slimmed to slits, I knew she was unhappy.

“That’s insulting.”

“This is insulting.”

“The 30 Jaune Ambre– Croc– All I got was a vintage Kelly.”

“They’re both Hermès, Roulette. Both Birkins.”

“And the B in mine stands for bullshit.”

“It was vintage, not worn.”

“Do I look like a vintage bitch?”

“You don’t look like a bitch at all, baby.”

“You understand what I’m saying.”

“I don’t. Clarify.”

She sighed. “Tonight isn’t about me. Tonight is about Ro. But, you owe me, Teddy. This bag is at least $15,000 more than the one you–”

“Exactly, so why are you pouting? Just tell me you want something better and I’ll get you something better.”

“She wants something better.” Eden laughed. “Surely she wants something better.”

“Thank you. And you should get her one to for all the chaos you’ve caused out here tonight.”

“I haven’t caused shit. That’s all you.” I chuckled as I watched her put the lid on the box.

“Whatever.” She walked off, on her way inside to cause more hell.

“What did you get her, since you’re complaining about my gift?”

“Nothing. That’s from us all.”

“No, the fuck it’s not,” I countered, unable to contain my laughter. Roulette was so fucking full of herself that you couldn’t help but love her.

“I am the gift. Having me as a sister is a privilege. Not everyone can say they have a Roulette. I’m rare and very fucking expensive.”

“I won’t deny that last bit.”

“You can’t deny any of it.”

“Take your ass back outside if you didn’t get baby anything for her birthday. If no one else deserves a gift, she does. She’s put up with the foolishness of six women who came after her, all stepping on her nerves for a different reason and in a different way. Not to mention, besides Rome, she’s the only one with real sense.”

“I’m happy you didn’t include yourself because you’re the most senseless of us all.”

I couldn’t deny that, either. The doors opened when we approached, welcoming us into our territory, a place where we could disrobe and become the people our parents had raised instead of the people they’d made.

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