Page 8 of Tangled Hearts

NATALIE

In our friend group, Luna is the sweetest. Considering her upbringing, you would think life would have jaded her, but it hasn’t. Her past, however, left a few scars along the way. One of those being her constant pursuit of perfection and her need to fit in. I honestly think only Frankie and I know the real her. The parts of herself she hides away.

I wonder if her soon-to-be husband knows them. I’d like to think he does. I have seen the way he stares at her. I think it’s love, but what do I know? I’m more worried about the world she’s marrying into. They aren’t rich; they are wealthy. Their wealth surpasses my comprehension.

Luna wants to fit in with them. I know it. That’s why I’m racing down the hallway to get the hell out of here. I can’t be late. I don't anticipate Luna becoming a bridezilla, but given her past behavior, I know she will strive for this wedding to be flawless. I could get down with that if I thought it was a dream of hers. Sure, most girls want a damn good wedding, but this is to prove she can fit in with the Montclairs.

"Yes," I say to myself when I hit the button for the elevator and the doors slide open. I hop on and push the button for the lobby over and over as I check to see how far my Lyft is. The doors are almost closed when a hand shoots out, stopping it. I suppress a groan when I see the gaudy watch. It's covered in diamonds and is way too flashy for my taste. It screams for attention, wanting everyone to know that the owner has money. Too much damn money.

"Natalie." Morris steps onto the elevator with me. "You ran out." He gives me that smirk he thinks is charming. It's not. It makes my stomach turn. Everything about him does. I can't stand having to be one of the lawyers on his case. “Not running from me, are you?”

Not today. “Just running late.”

“Court?” He hits the button for the lobby, and the doors slide closed, trapping me inside with him. My eyes glance up toward the camera in the corner.

“No.” I pull up the emails on my phone to appear busy.

“A date?” Of course he can’t take a hint.

“No.” I shake my head.

“That’s right.” I both sense and see him move closer to me out of the corner of my eye. “You don’t date.”

“Mr. Morris, I told you. I can’t date clients.”

“It’s not your firm,” he tosses back at me, a pout reminding me of a toddler forming on his face.

The first time I met Daniel Morris, I thought he was a decent-looking man. Then he opened his mouth. Isn't it interesting how a person’s personality can change their physical appearance to you? I suppose that's why they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

“Policy.” Come on. Has this elevator always been so damn slow? My finger itches to press the lobby button over and over again, even knowing that it will do nothing.

“Hmm.” He sighs, the sound making my body go on full alert. I turn to face him when that sense of predator and prey fills me. The last thing I’m going to do is let him think I’m scared of him. Oh, I am, but he doesn’t need to know that.

“Is there anything else you needed today, Mr. Morris? I thought everything had been covered.” We are getting him ready for a deposition that is going to be a shit show. I also know he’s going to lie through it.

I keep my eyes locked with his. “I told you”—he glances away from me—“call me Daniel.”

Thankfully, the doors to the elevator slide open. “I’ll see you later.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to call him Mr. Morris again, but I suck it up. I don’t need to start sparring with this asshole or put a target on my own back with him. He already stares too often, but I'm fairly certain he does that to all women.

I don’t wait for him to respond as I make my way out of the lobby. My car is already waiting for me. Fortunately, there is no traffic, and I arrive at the wedding dress store only a few minutes late.

“Sorry,” I tell Luna when I see her.

“It’s fine.” She waves it off.

“Yeah, totally fine.” Frankie smirks. I narrow my eyes on them. “You totally forgot.” An evil laugh leaves Frankie. Shit.

“Oh, you’re here.” Julie comes out from behind a rack of dresses.

“Hey.” I give her a smile. I hate that I’m disappointed to see her, but in truth, am I? This isn’t the first person Luna has brought into our little threesome. It’s always nice to have someone new, but they don’t tend to last long. Luna has this thing where people latch on to her.

“Do I get to pick?” Frankie rubs her hands together.

“Oh, we get to pick some of the dresses out for you to try on?” I ask, surprised that Luna would entertain our choices.

“I already have them picked out.” Luna smirks. My eyes bounce between her and Frankie.

“Spit it out.” I don’t know what these two are up to, but I do know it’s some sort of shenanigans by the looks on their faces.

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