Page 63 of Fiery Romance

It’s been so long since I’ve seen Taz’s smile in person.

I swallow past the lump in my throat and keep the big grin on my face. “Birthday girl, you look stunning!”

It’s true. She’s wearing a cute mini-skirt and crop top ensemble that fits her full, curvy body.

“I saw it on Insta. There’s this deaf model who’s blowing up there lately. Have you heard about her?”

“No, don’t think I have,” I say, taking a seat.

“She’s done some work with Vanya Beckford.”

The menu slips out of my hand. “TheVanya Beckford?”

Rosie nods. “Anyway, the store hasso manycute clothes. And it’s environmentally friendly too. Plus the factory workers get a fair wage. No sweatshop mistreatment for these babies.” She gestures to her outfit.

“Iluvhow socially conscious you are,” one of Rosie’s friends says. She’s a petite, blonde woman who looks like she spends more time getting ready in the morning than I do.

“That’s why I don’t eat meat and drive an electric.” The blonde curls her ‘l’s so electric sounds like ‘elll-llluc-tric’.

“That’s nice.” I smile politely.

“Oh my gosh.Yes.” Another friend gushes. “Electric is the way of the future.”

Murmurs of agreement follow.

I focus on my menu rather than contributing to the topic.

Even though I’m around the same age as these girls, I feel absolutely out of place.

I grew up with my grandparents and we spent most of our time traveling together as a family. Because of that—and a few other reasons that I don’t want to think about—I didn’t socialize much. On a whole, I feel more comfortable around older folks.

Stick me in a nursing home, and I come alive.

Tell me to go clubbing with other twenty-somethings, and I have to fake my cheerfulness.

“I sawyoubought the lies of the patriarchy.”

“Huh?” I glance up and find Rosie’s friend narrowing her eyes at me in a blast of cold, socially conscious contempt.

“That car you’re driving? It’s the latest from a company that still uses, get this,gas.”

I blink rapidly.

“How much did you pay for that anyway?” She tosses her hair. “I heard that model is limited edition. It hasn’t even been released yet.”

Limited edition? Not available yet?

I accepted the car Bolton forced on me because I need to get around. But I didn’t want to think about how expensive it was.

Rosie glances at me. “Yeah, what happened to Taz’s car?”

“Oh, uh,” my eyes dart away, “it got towed.”

“It did?”

“Somebody damaged it and replaced it with the car I have now. I didn’t really have a choice in the matter.”

“You always have a choice,” the blonde chastises.

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