He ended the call.

I had never been loved by a man the way Ritchie loved me. Was this really my life? It felt like a dream to be loved so unconditionally.

Butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Even though I had business to attend to, I couldn’t wait to see Ritchie.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

THE NEW JERSEY TRIP PART ONE

TORI

Staring out the window, I took a deep breath as the jet ascended into the clouds. Asia gripped my hand.

“Tori, are you all right?”

My gaze moved from the window to her pretty eyes that held so much worry. “So far, so good.”

It was a tough pill to swallow that my friends would constantly worry about me after I told them Marlowe raped me and what that brutal attack did to my psyche.

“Arlis gave me a sedative. I think I’ll take that to calm me down.”

“I’ll grab a bottle of water for you,” she said as she stood.

“Actually, vodka and cranberry.” I smirked. A hint of nervousness on my face.

She returned my nervous smile. “Be right back.”

I rubbed at the knot in my shoulder that was creeping toward the back of my neck. It felt like the walls were closing in on me. This Tyra shit had thrown off my plan to see the therapist.

“Here you are?” Asia smirked at me as she placed the glass in my hand.

“Thanks.” I rubbed at the knot with my free hand.

“Is it really bad?” she asked.

I let out a deep sigh. “Yes. It’s all this Tyra shit and having to leave town again. I can feel myself spiraling down.”

Asia gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t keep it bottled up. Let it out before it resurfaces at an inconvenient time.”

I wrapped my fingers around the chilled glass, lifting it to my lips and taking a sip of the sweet, fruity, yet bitter cocktail.

“That’s why I went to work. I felt the fingers crawling up my throat trying to get out.”

“Tori, we’ll get through this together.”

I released a long sigh. “Thanks, Asia.”

My brows lifted, and I turned to her. “I know what will make me feel better about being alone in the gigantic house Ritchie bought, if the four of us could have dinner tomorrow. I’ll cook something delicious.”

A huge smile lifted her cheeks. “Girl, I’ll be there for sure.”

I latched onto her arm and squeezed tightly. “Great. In the meantime, I want you to relax. I’ll do the same,” I stated as I stood to my feet.

“I’ll lounge in the living room area and watch TV,” she said as she stood.

“I still can’t get over how fancy their jets are,” Asia snickered.

I chuckled. “I know this new life takes some getting used to. Man-Man was rich. But this is the next level. Stupid rich.” I shook my head.