Page 79 of Wanted

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I really think I’ve caught something because the first thing I do this morning is empty my stomach into the toilet, and hiding it from Lionel has become a challenge. Today I feel worse than ever, and I have a long day ahead of me. Tonight is CJJ’s party, the company that Catherine manages, and her friends arrived yesterday, so we have a spa appointment in a couple of hours.

My body feels heavy, and the only reason I’m getting up is that I have to puke my guts out. Otherwise, I wouldn’t get out of bed.

Luckily for me, Lionel left very early. First, he had to visit the land he acquired at an auction a few days ago, then he and Jackson are going golfing for a few hours. It will give me time to get ready, and my eager man won’t see me until I’m all set.

This is the first formal party I’ve ever attended in my life, so I’m very excited. Also, I’ve seen Lionel’s tuxedo hanging on a hook in the walk-in closet, and I can hardly wait to see it on him.

With the little strength left in my body, I manage to get out of bed and take a shower. I’m about to call Catherine to cancel our appointment when I get a message that they are waiting for me at the house entrance. I decide it’s better if I get out of the house, in Carrollton sometimes Alison and I go for manicures and it’s always a good time. Today we’ll be receiving the full spa treatment, so it will definitely be a wonderful day.

“Stella,” Nathalie says, one of Catherine’s friends—ahem, one of my new friends—squeals from her chair next to mine. We are waiting for our turn with the masseuse. “Your story is like a movie, I love it.”

A smile is drawn on my face.

“I can assure you it was not a path of roses.” It’s the truth, we had to walk through many thorns to get to where we are today.

Catherine and her baffle, as she’s called her girlfriends, are in the cubicles in front of us about to fall asleep. I think I’ve even heard Ashton snore.

“Are you sure you don’t want a mimosa?” she asks with bright eyes. “They’re delicious.”

I’m positive. I shake my head in response. My stomach keeps churning, the best thing is to make an appointment with the doctor as soon as possible. I thought that I would feel better as the days passed, but on the contrary, my symptoms have gone from bad to worse.

“I’d rather wait until tonight.” That’s a good excuse.

Luckily, she changes the subject to a lighter one that I can handle better. “Do you have any idea how you want to style your hair for tonight?”

I smile proudly, everything is ready. “Lily, the stylist Cat took me to, gave me a sheet of hair and makeup tips. I’ve already chosen the one I think suits me the best.”

“I’m sure Lionel is going to faint as soon as he sees you,” she tells me.

“You can almost be sure of that,” Catherine yells from her place on the table, the sound muffled, the girl has her head buried in the headrest, but she hasn’t lost the thread of the conversation for a moment. As always, she’s in the know of everything. “Never doubt my ability to get away with it.”

No, definitely no one who knows her could do it.

“Your husband is so dreamy,” I hear Ashton say in a sleepy voice. “And all those photos on your Instagram feed…”

That makes me laugh, appearances can be misleading… “Do I have a stalker on my account?”

All three laugh loudly, and I don’t know which one to look at first. “Several of us,” Nathalie confesses, touching my hand with her fingertips.

“Your husband is a stud,” adds Ashton.

“Don’t be fooled, Stella,” says Catherine. “Her husband is big and strong, and this redhead here is crazy about him.”

“Those navy guys…” Ashton defends herself. “At the academy, they must give them classes on how to drive the women in their lives crazy along with how to rescue hostages and defuse bombs.”

The three murmur in acceptance. I don’t know what to say, only Lionel knows how to drive me crazy. In more ways than one.

When I’m ready to go out, I look at myself in the mirror. Following through on what I promised, I send Alison a quick text, otherwise, she would never forgive me.

Stella: How do I look?

Alison: Your idiot husband is definitely going to fuck your brains out, that body deserves some boom, boom, bang, bang.

Stella: I hope so.

Alison: Tell me you don’t have granny panties on under the dress.

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