Page 46 of Royal Bosshole

“I say yes. I'm so in.” Partying would at least give me a break from thoughts of James.

A much-needed break.

A few hours later, I found myself dancing to a beat in a club I didn’t know the name of. Wine and other drinks dulled my senses, and it felt good. Finally, I was getting the release I’d needed for so long. I needed to go out and have fun. I needed to live. Occasionally, James still poked into my thoughts, and I did my best to push him aside.

You need to forget about James. Like forever.

I didn’t need him anyway, but something niggled at me day after day. He had lied, and he’d done bad things, but there was something that told me there was more to the story than that. There was something he hadn’t told me.

So what? It doesn’t matter. He’s a bastard.

“You okay?” Stevie called to me over the music, and I nodded.

I did the hand motion for a drink, and I squeezed out of the dance floor toward the bar. To my surprise, I found Sadie sitting there ordering something. I paused for a moment. I’d spent a lot of time hating this pretty, cheerful girl, all because of a boy, and I hadn’t thought about that boy since James had come into my sphere.

I’d spent so much energy on hatred, and it was all a waste. I felt like such an idiot, but now, in my drunken state, I could make it right. No way I was going to let boys get in the way of doing what I needed to do.

“Hey Sadie,” I said, sliding onto the barstool next to her.

She looked up from her phone, and when she saw me, she gave me her usual bright smile. Only I noticed that there was slight hesitation in it.

“Hey, Lily.”

“So, I wanted to say thank you for coming to my event last week. I know we’re karaoke rivals, but it was really great to have your guys’ support.”

“You are so welcome.” The barman put down her drink, and she laid down a tip. “Your coffee shop was amazing. We always like to go there anyway. The lattes are to die for.”

I chuckled, surprised at how well our conversation was going. “I’m so glad you think so. I didn’t realize you guys went. Thanks for that too. Listen…” I drew a figure eight on the counter with my finger. “I just want to apologize for how I’ve behaved toward you in the past. I was just hung up on Parker stupidly, and I realize now that we weren’t meant to be together. And we’d only gone on like the one date. I hope you guys are really happy.”

Sadie reached out to touch me, and I could just feel her kind energy flowing through me. Stevie was like that, and I’d always wished I could be like it.

“Apology accepted. I’m sorry on his behalf if Parker mistreated you. I’ve been straightening him out.” She winked. “We girls have to stick together, you know?”

“Definitely. Hoes before bros.” I ordered a beer, and when it came, we clinked glasses.

“Hey, your singing the other night blew me away, Lily. You should sing on your own more often. It was gorgeous.”

I blushed at the compliment. “Thanks, Sadie. That means a lot.”

She slipped off the barstool and lifted her glass again to me in salute. “Have a good night.”

“You too.”

When I got home hours later, Stevie stumbled off to bed, and I went to the kitchen for some water. Sitting on the counter was Friday’s mail that Stevie had brought up.

As I went through it, something odd and official with my name on it caught my eye.

It was a letter from my grandmother’s lawyer.

* * *

JAMES

“Everyone’s going to miss you, boss,” Henry said, standing outside of my office and holding out his hand.

“Thanks, Henry.” I smiled as I shook it. “You’re going to be great with the next guy. I know it.”

He grinned. “I learned a lot from you. You sure you don’t want to go out with everyone for happy hour?”

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