Page 3 of Broken

"Give me that!" Danielle grabbed my phone from my hands before I could find out who was calling.

"Hello. Oh! Hey, brat! Yeah, your mom and I just got tacos. She's right here. You wanna talk to her?" she handed me the phone. Her toothy grin was bright and spread across her face. "Sounds like she's having fun."

"Aine. Is everything okay?" I asked into the phone.

"Hey, mom. Yes! I'm having so much fun! I wanted to call and tell you goodnight and I love you. I'm having fun. And can Riley go with us tomorrow? Please?"

How this kid can tell an entire story in one breath is beyond me. The excitement in her voice comforted me. I was doing something right in this world for her. All I'd ever wanted for her was to have everything I never had, which was everything.

"I need to talk to her mom, but I don't see why not. I'll call in the morning before I pick you up. I love you, ladybug."

"I love you too, mom. Good night. Have fun with Aunt Dani" With that, Aine hung up the phone.

I was so happy that she was making friends, and living a normal childhood, my heart broke a little. My baby girl was growing up. It wouldn't be long before she was graduating from high school and hopefully going to college. A small pang of loneliness stabbed at my heart with the thought of Aine leaving me.

"Don't be so glum." Danielle nudged me with her elbow. "She's having fun. She's safe. Time for mamma to relax and have fun."

She didn't bother to wait for me to confirm that she was right. She's usually right. Danielle dragged me down the street, past local art vendors and street performers. There was a bagpipe player dressed up in leather and metal like he was in an Industrial Heavy Metal band, and his bagpipes were shooting flames as he played.

I was trying to take in all the desert culture and art as we were speeding past. Danielle's words were drowned out by the sights and sounds around me. I think his name was Phil or Bill or something. He had a twin brother. They co-owned a Latin Fusion restaurant. The Taco guy was the head chef and invited Danielle to have drinks with him tonight and to bring her 'cute' friend along.

"Dani. I don't think I'm dressed for drinks with some guys we don't even know." I motioned to my cut-off shorts, flip-flops, and cropped tank. Summer in the desert was no joke, and if I wasn't working, I was wearing flip-flops.

Danielle stopped and looked at me. "Sin, they're twins. I mean, I've never been one to refuse a threesome, but Joel said to bring you, too.

You're gorgeous."

Joel, that was his name! I did promise to be her wingman tonight, and that meant going to a classy restaurant dressed like I was going to some backwoods bonfire and flirting with the hot co-owner.

I sighed. I couldn't leave my best friend to have too much fun without me, and she was right. Aine was safe, and I had some much-needed free time. "Fine. I'm in. But you owe me. You promised." I poked her shoulder for emphasis.

two

Sinclair

EricwasJoel'stwinbrother. He was handsome and smart. We talked about business first. Both of us had our MBAs, and we found common ground in that topic. We discussed marketing techniques and target audiences. He even had some fantastic ideas about working with the resort on some events. The night was almost like a real date. Something I had very little experience with.

At some point, as the conversation progressed to Stupid Human Tricks, Eric showed his talent for tying a cherry stem with his tongue. Me being me; I had to ask what else he could do with it.

"Would you like to find out, beautiful?" His voice was inviting and seductive. The man had skills.

"Are you offering to show me?" That was fucking corny. Why did I say that?

Eric sat close enough to me that his breath caressed my ear as he wrapped his fingers around the base of my neck.

"Should we go up to my office?" He asked, breathy and hot.

I nodded my reply. I wasn't sure if his voice or the subtle scent of cardamom and Palo Santo made me so hot I couldn't find my words. The heat could've come from the Codigo 1530 Rosa, a high-end liquor meant for sipping, but made some killer margaritas.

Eric took my hand and led me down a hall to the left of the bar. A flight of stairs hid in the corner. He motioned for me to go up first to the lacquered oak door at the top.

Decorated in the style of 1950s glam, a theme throughout a lot of Palm Springs, his office was stunning. Plush carpeting, a black leather chaise lounge to one side, and an opulent mahogany desk with a wingback chair. A dark red velvet curtain with gold tassels covered one wall.

I walked to the curtains, running my hands down the crimson surface, admiring the beauty of his office.

"Would you like me to show you what's on the other side?" Eric asked me as he handed me a crystal tumbler with two fingers of Codigo 1530.

I nodded and sipped my drink. My eyes grew wide as he pulled a cord that exposed a window that covered the entire wall, overlooking the restaurant and the bar below. My breath hitched as I got a closer look.

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