Page 52 of Shattered By Grace

Pizza, wine, & chill. Interested?

She unlocked her apartment’s new deadbolt and stepped inside just as the reply came in.

Absolutely. Be there in 30. Where am I going?

After sending her the address, Victoria went straight to the bathroom, hoping the hot water would wash away more than just the sweat from her earlier workout. Her apartment was still a little chaotic from the break-in, but she’d tidied up enough to make it feel cozy. The scent of pizza lingered in the air, and the soft flicker of candlelight illuminated the walls, providing a welcome distraction from everything else weighing on her.

When the doorbell rang, Victoria felt a flicker of anticipation. She opened the door to find Taylor standing there, her usual bright smile on her face, but she wasn’t empty-handed. In her hand was another single rose, just like the ones Victoria had received recently.

“Found this on your steps. Who’s it from?” Taylor asked, holding the flower out with a curious tilt of her head.

You have got to be fucking kidding me.

Victoria stared at the rose for a moment, her stomach tightening. “I have no idea,” she said, taking the flower from Taylor. She forced a casual smile, but the unease gnawed at her. “That’s the third one I’ve gotten.”

Taylor stepped inside, holding up the rose with a smirk. “Okay, that’s either super romantic or borderline stalker behavior. Should we be concerned?”

Victoria eyed the flower before setting it in a small vase where another identical rose already sat. She shrugged, forcing a light tone. “Probably one of the twins.” Then, gesturing toward the pizza and two glasses of wine, she added, “But we will get to them.”

With a clink of their glasses, they sank into the couch, the rich aroma of melted cheese filling the space. Victoria exhaled, letting the warmth of the moment settle over her. She needed this, an uncomplicated night with a friend, no dangerous men, just wine, pizza, and a much-needed vent session.

“So, confession time,” Victoria began, swirling the wine in her glass. “I invited you over because I need to vent.” She took a deep breath. “Things have been a little... insane lately. You remember the twins from the club, right?”

Taylor’s eyes lit up instantly. “Oh, hell yes. The hotties. Which one was which?” she asked, raising an eyebrow and swirling her own wine, clearly savoring the chance to dig into some gossip.

Victoria smirked, her mood lightening slightly. Taylor had that playful, mischievous energy that made it easy to talk to her. She was edgy, confident, and always up for some fun. Her dark, shoulder-length waves framed her striking face. With big hazel-green eyes that didn’t miss a thing and a natural glow that made her hard to look away from, she drew attention without trying. There was a boldness in the way she carried herself, like she knew exactly who she was and didn’t ask permission to shine.

Victoria leaned in, feigning a whisper as if sharing a deep, dark secret. “Okay, you know that guy who walks in like he owns the whole place? Tall, dark, and smoldering? That’s Tristan. He’s got these piercing eyes that feel like they’re undressing youwith one look. And don’t even get me started on the way he feels pressed up against you. Broad shoulders, scruff that makes you want to run your fingers through it, and that voice—God, that voice could melt steel.” She gave a dramatic pause, a smirk tugging at her lips. She gives Taylor a knowing look, smirking over the rim of her glass. “Yeah… he’s trouble wrapped in a perfect package.”

Taylor let out a dramatic sigh, flopping back against the couch. “Ugh. Why is it always the dangerous ones that have to be the most delicious?”

Victoria laughed, finally starting to relax. “Right? It’s like some universal law of attraction. The more likely they are to ruin your life, the hotter they are.”

Taylor shot her a look. “Speaking of ruining lives, what about the other twin?”

Victoria’s smirk faltered just a little. “Tyson...” She hesitated, swirling the wine in her glass. “He’s different. Still dangerous, but... not in the same way.”

Taylor’s eyes narrowed with interest. “Different how?”

Victoria chewed on her lip, debating how much to reveal. “He’s quiet, controlled. The kind of guy who doesn’t say much, but when he does, you hang on to every word. He looks at you like he sees things you don’t even understand about yourself.” She shook her head. “But he’s also the guy who walked away when I needed him most. So, yeah. He’s complicated.”

Taylor exhaled dramatically. “Girl, your life is a full-on romantic thriller. I’m just here for the wine and the front-row seat.”

Victoria laughed, clinking her glass against Taylor’s. “Then buckle up, because I have a feeling this ride isn’t slowing down anytime soon.”

Taylor smirked, taking a sip of her wine. “With the way you’re looking at that glass like it holds all the answers, I’m guessing there’s more?”

If only I could tell you everything, but untangling the twisted mind-fuck games Tristan and Tyson have me in works, she thought as she looks at Taylor.

Victoria hesitated, swirling her drink as heat crept up her neck. “Tristan, he’s the one who’s really been messing with my head. He’s… captivating, in a way that just gets under my skin and stays there. His kiss, the way he touches me… it’s like he knows exactly how to push me right to the edge and pull me back again.”

Taylor leaned in, her pizza momentarily forgotten. “Wait, wait—hold up. What happened?” She raised an eyebrow, fully invested.

Victoria exhaled, bracing herself. “So, we were at the gym, right? Things got… intense in the shower.” She bit her lip, remembering the way his hands had felt against her skin. “I seriously thought he was going to take things all the way, right there. His hands were all over me, his mouth—Taylor, it was electric. My heart was pounding, and I was ready, you know?”

Taylor’s jaw dropped slightly as she tried to take a bite but froze mid-motion. “And?!”

Victoria groaned, throwing a hand in the air. “And then, just when it got intense, he pulled back. Looked me dead in the eyes and said, ‘You’re not ready.’ Then he just walked away! Like he hadn’t just turned my world upside down.”

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