Page 78 of Volatile

“Jon? I was wondering when you were going to bring him up again.”

Her heart started pounding. “I don’t understand.”

Cherise smiled. “Let’s just say I know him well enough that I’d fall for him in a second if I weren’t in love with Jacque.” She winked. “And if he was the right gender.”

“Oh.”

That wasn’t the response she wanted. It would’ve been easier if Cherise had said he was a horrible man, one who seduced women with false promises and earth-shattering sex then destroyed them.

“So, what exactly is it you want to know?” Cherise asked.

Hmm... How about what’s the deal with Julia—do you know her well too? Why the hell does he love her so much? And why can’t I stop thinking about him when he’s all wrong for me, and I’m all wrong for him?

Ivy had lots of questions but nothing she cared to discuss while standing in the middle of a flower shop with a broom in her hand. Definitely not the time and place.

She dropped her head and said the only thing she could, “I’m so confused.”

Cherise draped an arm around Ivy’s shoulders. “I’ll tell you what. Come have a ladies’ night with Jacque and me after work. We’ll have a little wine, some conversation. What do you say? I think you could use it.”

Cherise was probably right about that. Ivy had no plans, an empty apartment, and a head full of slush. A night alone with her muddied thoughts did not sound appealing.

“Okay.” Ivy nodded. “Thank you.”

Hanging out with some new girlfriends was a needed change of pace. And if they were willing to listen, she was willing to talk. She had issues to sort through but didn’t know where to start. She had no idea how to begin making sense of anything. But at least she was ready to try.

She was ready for a new direction because the old one wasn’t getting her anywhere.

*****

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“YOU LIED. YOU TOLDme a little wine.”

Cherise’s laughter rang through the car, bouncing off the windows and hitting her square in the face. It was infectious, and soon Ivy was giggling along, hard enough to catch her breath. Since when did she giggle?

“You also said some conversation.” Ivy rested her head back on the seat. “I’m pretty sure my mouth and ears will never be the same again. That was one hell of a gabfest.”

Hence the reason for all the wine bobbing around in her system. She’d traded her sobriety for sanity. It’d been the only way to get through the night without feeling like she was starring in some twisted, dark comedy. Thankfully, ladies’ night meant never having an empty glass, even if the wine had been blood-colored. Normally, she drank white. Did red contain more alcohol? She recalled hearing that once. Even if it wasn’t true, she believed it anyway.

Cherise glanced over at her and grinned. “Do you want to do it all over again soon?”

Ivy nodded. “Absolutely.”

Another burst of laughter shot out from both of them, and Ivy quickly lowered the window to get a slap of fresh air before her dinner shot out as well. Yes, the night had been a lot to digest, but she couldn’t deny the fun she’d had and the camaraderie she’d felt. Being with those two had been surprisingly comfortable. Even if some of the topics weren’t.

Ivy’s building came into sight, and Cherise pulled into the lot. She knew it already; it didn’t matter how much wine she’d put down, her mind would never let her sleep. It’d just keep replaying everything over and over like some possessed jukebox.

“Oh shit. My car.”

Cherise pointed out the side window. “Jacque drove it, remember?”

Ivy smacked her forehead. “Right.” How had she forgotten that? She’d ridden in Cherise’s car while Jacque followed behind in Ivy’s. Good thing Ivy was the only sloshed one in the trio or who knew where they would’ve ended up.

After Jacque parked, she headed towards them, and Ivy took that as her cue to leave. She opened the car door and tumbled straight out. Jacque darted over, but it was too late. She was already sprawled on her ass. It seemed like only a split second before Cherise was also at her side. Ivy smiled up at them. They were such a beautiful couple. So harmonious together. She sighed. Some girls had all the luck.

“I’m ecstatic you two found each other, but I’m not gonna lie. I’m so fucking jealous I could puke.”

They both grabbed an arm and helped her up. Ugh. Too quickly. She covered her mouth. Maybe she shouldn’t be so quick to blame her nausea on jealousy.

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