Page 78 of Desperate Needs

“Damn, Annie. You are vicious,” Coral said.

“Damn straight. Anyway, we're all here for you, Clem.”

“Oh my God! I know what will cheer her up!” Aella shouted, making us all groan.

“What's that?” I asked, smiling indulgently.

“There's a party at the Den! I know, I know, but look we’re not fucking around trying to flirt. We just want to make Clementine feel good. And the DJ is hot!”

“What kind of music?” I asked, intrigued.

“You are going to love this,” she said, grinning at Lucy, then the rest of us in turn.

“It's an 80s freestyle jam, and it is taking place two nights before Christmas Eve!”

“No shit,” I said, eyebrows raised.

“Yes, shit! It'll be fucking perfect.”

“I like where this is going,” Andrea chimed in.

“Hell yeah! We'll get our dance on and our drink on before we spend the weekend with the family to celebrate at your family farm,” Aella stated.

“Oh my God! That does sound great.”

Really, it did. I couldn't wait to go to our farm.

It'd been so long since I saw Sprinkles. That was the name of my favorite horse.

I've had her since I was a teenager, and even though she was too old for riding, she was just right for cuddling. Sprinkles always lifted my spirits, but the girls had a point.

First, a night dancing to some 1980s Freestyle, which we all learned courtesy of Aunt Destiny, sounded perfect.

I just had to survive another week of work before the festivities began. I could do that.

Sure, you can.

A week without Connor.

Without his kiss and touch.

But I would have to get used to that, wouldn’t I?

Connor was not mine. And it was time I faced it.

Shit. This was going to suck.

Chapter 32-Connor

Staring down Josef Aziz was not an easy feat.

The man had seen more and done more than most people I knew, but I wasn't your average Joe, either.

No pun intended.

I also had a history of leaving violence and scorched earth in my wake.

Besides, I’d waited forty-eight hours before I approached the man. I was pretty fucking sure he knew everything by now.

---