37. Chapter Aria
I love Sunday brunches with Sophia, and now they’re even better with Isabella joining us. We’ve been chatting, gossiping. You know, girl things.
“I had the best sex of my life yesterday,” Sophia blurts out.
“I’m going to need something stronger than this if we’re going to talk about your sex life,” Isabella deadpans.
I giggle at her comment. Sophia’s life is far from boring, and I’m so used to it already that it’s legitimately funny when people react to her shenanigans.
“I told you guys I wanted to go have mimosas!” Sophia pouts.
“It’s nine in the morning. I’m not looking forward to a hangover because with you it’s all or nothing.” I glare at her.
She waves dismissively. “Can I talk now?”
“Yes, do tell us, Soph. Who’s the mystery man?” Isabella asks intrigued.
“That’s the worst part. I have no idea! We danced, then we started making out and it just kind of snowballed from there.” She grimaces. “We had sex in a cleaning closet,” she quickly adds, hiding her face with both of her hands in embarrassment.
Sophia Evans, ladies and gentlemen. God, I love her, but the woman is insane.
“Wait, you were at the club yesterday? I was at the club with Damian for his cousin’s birthday. How come I didn’t see you? Actually, how come you didn’t invite me?” I eye her suspiciously.
“I was with my sister,” she gives me a knowing look, “and how come you didn’t invite me ?” she counters.
Blah . No wonder she didn’t tell me. I hate her sister, but for good reason. She’s horrible to Sophia and takes advantage of her. Overall, a terrible human being. I know better than to bring it up, because it’s a sore subject for her. But she knows me well, because putting us together in one room is a recipe for disaster.
I laugh. “Damian’s cousin is a lot. You’d hate him, trust me. Be thankful I didn’t invite you. ”
“So you didn’t even get his number?” Isabella questions.
I wave a hand dismissively as I lay back in my chair. “She doesn’t repeat.”
She groans as she breaks a piece of her cheese Danish and eats it. “This repeat would have been worth it. The dude gave me like three major orgasms in a matter of minutes. I was so dizzy and exhausted, I left the club right after. I didn’t even think about getting his number.”
Surprise laces my features. It’s not everyday Sophia says something like that. She’s a player, after all.
“Well, if it’s meant to be, I’m sure you’ll see him again,” Isabella says hopefully.
I’m not too convinced about that, though. There’s a reason why Sophia doesn’t do repeats. Nothing good ever comes of it.
I stuffed myself with so much coffee and pastries that I’m full and jittery at the same time—worst combination ever. I’m definitely having a lazy Sunday, watching some movies and waiting for Damian to come home.
Without him, the apartment feels so empty, but when he’s here? It becomes our home. He stays with me more than he stays at his place, so it definitely feels like ours.
As I step into my apartment’s main lobby, I spot Alex sitting in the waiting area. I haven’t spoken to him since everything went down at the auction, and honestly? Good fucking riddance. I was finally able to realize Alex is not who he says he is. I’m not certain he was ever being truthful. Our friendship was based on a lie. It’s as simple as that.
Alex strides toward me. “We need to talk.”
His left eye is swollen, and a laugh almost escapes me as I say, “Nice shiner. Looking for another one? I can call Damian again if you want your eyes to match.”
He gets closer. “I fucking mean it. We need to talk.”
I give myself some space from him, shaking my head. “We certainly don’t. Go home, Alex.”
He tightly grips my arm, and questions, “You’re seriously going to throw away our friendship over Damian fucking Romano of all people?”
I laugh with a hint of disbelief as I pull my arm out of his grasp. “You don’t get it, do you?” A heavy sigh escapes me as I contemplate how to phrase my next words. “You’re not a good person. Or a good friend for that matter. It took you a total of five seconds to discredit my work, say that I owe it all to you, and—”
He interjects, “Well, it’s true.”
Oh, this is unbelievable.
Every time I think he's hit rock bottom, he finds a way to dig even deeper and create an entirely new level of disbelief .
Making my way to the elevator, I jab the fob on the elevator screen and select my floor, tapping my foot impatiently as the elevator doors toy with my patience.
Turning sharply, I snap, “Leave us alone. I mean it. Go about your life, because I’m done with you.”
He shoots me a knowing look and warns, “You're in for regrets, Aria. Remember this moment well.” He strides out, leaving me seething.
But his warning catches me off guard. This is a side of him I'm unfamiliar with. I can't predict what he might do, but it can’t lead to anything good.