Page 55 of Turmoil's Target

Rita grins salaciously. “Ooh la la! Sounds like our stoic boy is falling hard. And can you blame him? Look at you, you’re a total smokeshow!”

I can’t help but smile at that, even as doubt claws at the back of my mind. “I just can’t believe we’re in this now. Like, we’re actually in this.”

“Hell yeah you are!” Rita crows triumphantly. “Sera, this is huge! You deserve to have someone worship you, babe. Why not explore where this could go with Abe?”

Why not indeed?

I can’t help but return her smile, even as a familiar melancholy settles in my chest.

She’s right—I am happy.

Happier than I’ve been in a long time, if I’m being honest with myself.

But experience has taught me that happiness is a fleeting thing.

Especially for someone like me.

Rita must see the hesitation on my face, because her expression turns stern. “Uh-uh, I know that look. Don’t you dare start with the negative self-talk, missy!” She wags a finger at me. “Maybe this thing with Abe is meant to last. You’ll never know unless you give it a real shot.”

I sigh, knowing she's right.

I’ve spent so long closed off, focused solely on revenge...maybe it is time to let myself hope for something more. “You’re right,” I concede with a rueful grin. “Enough about my love life. Are you going to the gala on Friday?”

“Planning on it,” Rita replies. “What about you? Please tell me you’re coming, I need my partner in crime!”

“I’ll be there,” I assure her, though the thought of schmoozing with Vegas high society makes me want to gag. “Not sure about bringing a date though...”

Rita arches a perfectly sculpted brow. “Why not? I bet Abe would make one hell of an escort. Just imagine the looks on those snotty bitches’ faces when you walk in with that beefcake on your arm!”

I bark out a laugh at the image. “I'm not sure a gala is really Abe’s scene,” I point out wryly.

Still, I can’t deny the appeal of having him by my side, even if it’s just for one night of frivolous fun.

“Only one way to find out!” Rita sing-songs. “As for me, I’m definitely asking Jack to be my arm candy. If we’re gonna suffer through this stuffy affair, might as well do it in style, right?”

“I’ll drink to that,” I agree with a smirk, already mentally rifling through my closet for the perfect dress.

If I do decide to bring Abe...well, suffice it to say his jaw will be on the floor when he sees me in it.

But first, I need to figure out if I’m really ready to take that leap with him.

To let him into my life, to allow him to know the best and worst parts of me.

I suppose I’ve already made the decision, but it doesn’t make me any less afraid.

Rita groans dramatically. “Not to suck the fun out of our conversation, but ugh, I have to vent. My father is being such a pretentious prick lately. Keeps harping on about how I can’t justcoast through life as a ‘trust fund baby.’ As if he didn’t hand me everything on a silver platter!”

I frown, trying to find the right words. “I mean, he kind of has a point, Reet. We can’t just spend our days shopping and partying forever. At some point, we need to find a sense of purpose, you know?”

Rita scoffs, turning her head to shoot me an incredulous look. “Oh please, Sera. Like you’re one to talk! How are you any different from me, huh?”

I wince internally, knowing she’s hit the nail on the head.

If only Rita knew the truth about my ‘purpose’ here in Vegas...but I can’t tell her.

Not now, not ever.

Forcing a breezy smile, I shrug nonchalantly. “Who knows? Maybe I’ve slowly been working with my grandfather to gain control over the casino, since my mum feels the need to move on to other business ventures.”

---