Page 38 of Silken Chains
Forcing a weak laugh, I shake my head. “Yeah, because my life’s just a page out of one of your novels, right?”
Serena takes a dramatic sip of water, then places the glass down with a flourish. “With the way your luck runs? I wouldn’t be surprised. So, spill it. What kind of trouble did you dive into this time?”
I shake my head, amused yet grateful for her concern. “Nothing so exciting, Ser. I just got drunk…”
Sorry, Ser, but I’m not about to spill the beans on my fling with one of the sexiest humans I’ve met.
Trying to change the subject. “How’s Lucas?” I ask.
Serena gulps down the rest of the water as if she’s just trekked through the Sahara. She switches to mom mode effortlessly. “Oh, the little guy’s got the sniffles. James is doing the whole ‘Daddy to the rescue’ bit, playing astronauts. They’re probably on a mission to Mars as we speak.”
Now she’s rummaging through my fridge, on the hunt for something edible. She pulls out an old pack of cheese slices, peeling one off, and popping it into her mouth like it’s gourmet.
“I’m really sorry for bailing on you last night… Lucas was being super cl-clingy and…” Her voice trails off as her eyes lock onto my table. The cheese slice hangs forgotten from her fingers.
Serena’s smile vanishes, replaced by shock. “Hang on… Lulu, is that what I think it is?” She points, mouth wide open.
“Oh, my God, is that a morning-after pill?”
Chapter 14
Laura
SERENA’S EYES widen to the size of a full moon.
I bite my nails as I watch her gaze ping-pong between the Plan B packaging on the table and me. “Spill it, Lulu,” she commands. “And don’t you dare leave out any juicy details!”
I feel my cheeks heating up. “It’s not what you think, Ser. I mean, it is, but…”
She interrupts, “You had unprotected whoopie with a stranger? That’s so unlike you!”
I sink into the couch, feeling a mix of guilt and exhilaration. “I know, it was stupid, and now I’m freaking out.”
My best friend plops down next to me, her expression a mix of shock and amusement. “Honey, this is more drama than my ‘Moonlit Desires’ series. I’m half-scandalized, half-impressed.”
I wince. “But I’m still technically married to that slimeball David…”
She waves a hand dismissively. “That useless son of the gun? He’s about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. Lulu, you deserve some fun.”
I nibble my lip, torn between guilt and exhilaration. “I don’t know, Ser. I feel like I’m crossing a line here.”
She leans in, her eyes gleaming. “Crossing the line? Honey, you catapulted over it. And I’m here for it! Who’s the mystery man? Anyone I know?”
I shake my head. “No, just… someone I met at Club V.
Damnit. Victor Morozov. Why can’t I shake him?
One night, that’s all it was. Barely even a blip in my life. But here I am, his name still rattling around in my head.
It’s stupid. Pointless. He’s gone, and I’m here, and that’s that. End of story.
So why does it feel like there’s a hole in my chest where he used to be? Why do I catch myself wondering where he is, what he’s doing?
I can’t do this. Can’t let myself get caught up in something that was never real to begin with.
It was one night. That’s all. And now it’s over.
Time to move on.
