Page 5 of Sin

“Are you sure you want to work in a strip club, though?”

“Oh, yes,” she replied. “More than ever. And I’m going to find a man to take my V-card.”

Livia giggled. “Well, then. Let’s get that job and then get you laid.”

Chapter Three

Livia’s house lay nestled at the end of her street. The yellow vinyl siding gleamed in the twilight, offset by white trim around the windows. The small porch that led up to the door had plants hanging all over it. It was a cute little cottage that made her a little envious. She’d love to have a home just like this one.

“Thank you for letting me crash here,” Adira said.

Livia put her hand around Adira’s shoulder, giving a half hug. “I’m glad you thought of me when you needed a safe haven, although I hate that you’re hurting.”

“I just need time to wrap my head around everything.”

“I completely understand. Come on, let me show you around.”

After grabbing her suitcase from the back of the truck, she followed Livia inside. The inside was just as charming as the outside. Warm tones seamlessly blended with cooler pops of color. The vaulted ceiling gave the living room a bright airy quality. One door led to the kitchen and another to the hallway where the two bedrooms were located, separated by a shared bathroom. Livia decorated with a Bohemian style. Mismatched furniture with a free-spirited aesthetic, mixed with different cultures and artistic expressions, blended into an eclectic style of patterns.

“This is beautiful,” Adira said sincerely.

“Thanks.” Livia smiled. “It’s small, but I love it. Your room is this way.”

The spare room had a twin bed and a dresser. White walls and tan carpet. Minimalism all the way.

“It’s not much—”

“No,” Adira was quick to interrupt. “It’s perfect.”

“Go ahead and put your stuff away and let’s talk.”

“All right.”

Livia left her alone but it didn’t take long for Adira to place her clothes in the drawer. She wandered back to the kitchen where her friend was grabbing a snack.

“Hungry?”

Adira shook her head. “No.”

“So, what’s the game plan? How can I help you?”

“You’re helping me now.” She took a deep breath. “You can’t possibly know how much this means to me. I just … I didn’t make a mistake, did I?”

Livia’s brow furrowed. “About what?”

“Running away.”

“Sounds like you had a right to leave.” She placed some chips on her plate next to the sandwich and sat down. “I would’ve done the same.”

“Really?” Adira hated how unsure she sounded.

Livia popped the lid on her soda and took a sip. “I can’t imagine anyone in your position not leaving. Use your new perspective to figure out what you want to do in life.”

“I thought I’d be a wife and mother,” she admitted. “Teacher perhaps. It was a career my parents were pushing me into.”

“You want to be a teacher?”

Adira shook her head. “Not really.”

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