Page 12 of Scarred Hearts

HUNGOVER

GIOVANNA

What the hell? My head! My fucking head! As I slowly stirred from my drunken slumber, the intense sun streaming through the living room windows assaulted my senses. My head throbbed painfully, and I internally cursed myself for not drinking enough water yesterday before we went out. With bleary eyes, I spotted two untouched bottles of water on the coffee table next to me.

Thankfully, I’d thought of grabbing water in my drunken state before I laid down last night. I took one off the coaster and twisted it open, guzzling the entire thing before setting it back in place. Squinting, I scanned the room, then looked down at the decorative blanket draped over me. I ran my fingertips around it, noting it was the first time I’d used it.

“Damn, I really took care of myself last night,” I mused with a half-hearted chuckle before collapsing back onto the sofa, my arm shielding my eyes.

A faint buzzing noise drew my attention, and I lifted my head to scan for my missing phone. It was nowhere in sight. Pushing myself up into a sitting position, I furrowed my brow, squinting even harder at the overwhelming brightness. The vibration continued, and I stumbled toward the foyer, determined to find it.

I stopped short when I saw my shoes neatly lined up by the door and my handbag perched on a nearby table. Picking it up, I fished out my phone to see Kirsten’s face illuminating the screen. Swiping to answer, I brought it up to my ear.

Hey.

Girl, she breathed, thank God you’re fine! Did you and him talk?

What are you talking about? I yanked the phone back from my face, curling my lip up at it before placing it back to my ear. Please use your inside voice.

Are you hungover? She giggled.

Running my hands through my hair, I scuffed back to the living room, pacing between the two sitting areas. I think I’m still drunk right now.

She laughed again. You’re not used to Chance’s bartending skills.

Yeah, I don’t even know what happened.

I do!

I snatched the phone away again. Kirsten, I growled before putting it back to my head, pleaseee.

Sorry, sorry, she apologized. Hey, do you want me to swing by and get you on the way to Chance and Amber’s?

For what?

She and I were going to work on a few things, and I figured you might want to come along too.

For Euphoria or Luxe? I asked, though I wasn’t sure I cared to know.

Which one of those would make you say ‘yes’?

Looking up at the ceiling, I snickered. Neither right now.

Ah, you said right now which means?—

I didn’t hear another word she said because I spotted a black wad of paper next to a silver mixing bowl beside the couch. With a curious tilt of my head, I meandered toward it and reached down to pick it up. As I unraveled the tightly compacted paper, emerald-green foil letters glinted in the light, spelling out Enigma VIP. I gasped.

What?! She gasped too.

I have to go.

Is everything okay?! She was in a mild panic.

Yeah, I just spilled some water on an electrical outlet. As the words tumbled out of my mouth, I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks at the lie.

Shit, okay. She bought it thank God. Let’s hang tonight, bye.

Okay, bye.

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