44. Chapter 41
Mari
“ W oah, there! Look at you!” Mel, our front desk lady who worked the weekends, said. “Where you off to all dolled up?”
The heels of my knee-highs tapped on the concrete floor as I strolled towards the matte black desk.
My navy blue dress fell just past mid-thigh, the bottom half swaying slightly as I walked.
Mel’s dark eyes scanned me from head to toe in knowing approval, her gigantic earrings jingling as she nodded her head.
The mouse clicked loudly as she seemed to quickly close down some tabs on the reception computer. Mel did love a good Amazon find.
“Just meeting someone for dinner.” I couldn’t help but beam.
Chance.
Chance Riordan was taking me out to dinner.
Chance Riordan wanted to take me out.
Chance Riordan wanted me .
“Would this by any Chance —” She winked, her long purple lashes fluttering in front of a bright blue eyeshadow. “Be someone special? Maybe someone we know?”
“Hmmm …” I teased, unable to wipe the excited smile from my face. “Perhaps!”
“We’re finally going to have good use for that defib that has sat in here all these years. Because that man’s heart is going to stop when he sets eyes on you, darl!”
I laughed and chatted with the woman while I waited.
She told me all about her new grandkids, how they were hitting their milestones super early.
Mel was an easy one to talk to, one of those people who could chat for hours about any given topic.
The price of groceries? She was upset she couldn’t afford her frozen apple pie for both during the week and the night when the grandkids came over.
Jeans too tight? She was annoyed that she recently had to go up a size in jeans because they ‘Just don’t make them like they used to anymore’.
The sun has been shining today? She was worried her silly cat would give itself heatstroke again from falling asleep under a sun-facing window.
My phone buzzed in the middle of one of her stories.
Chance: Be there soon. Got held up with JJ. X
My stomach was in the middle of doing flips when another message buzzed through.
JJ: If Chance tries to tell you I’m the reason he’s late, he’s lying.
Me: What did you do?
JJ: We’re supposed to be friends—you’re meant to believe ME!
“ Sorry, Mel. JJ’s just having trouble with something,” I explained.
She began rambling on about how he was always having some sort of trouble while I typed.
Me: What did you do?
JJ: I can’t believe this. 20 years of friendship for what? Nothing but mistrust.
Mari: JJ, what did you do?
JJ: Chance was the one who said you can cook chicken tenders in the microwave! He didn’t tell me it was one of those things where you had to take the plastic off too!
Mari: I don’t know how you haven’t poisoned yourself yet.
JJ: Gut of steel. STEEL, Lynnie. Have fun on your date tonight! #teamChari
My fingers were just about to hit send on a witty reply when another pair of heels clicked in behind me.
A tall, stiletto-wearing blonde walked into the gym cautiously, cringing at the very ground she walked on, seemingly afraid the concrete flooring would damage her shiny pink shoes.
Her long blonde hair was wrapped into multiple interlacing curls and slung over one shoulder.
A bronze colour coated her skin, but the tiniest of orange tint told me it wasn’t real.
She wore an expensive-looking two-piece set that was such a bright shade of pink it was almost an eyesore.
There was lipstick to match, and fake lashes so long Mel would be fangirling.
“Hi, darl,” Mel greeted. “Can I help you?”
“I’m hoping so.” Her plumped lips rubbed together as she clicked over to the desk. “I’m looking for someone.”
“Who’re you chasing?” Mel asked sweetly, though I could see her eyeing the woman’s Prada purse.
“I’m looking for Chance. Chance Riordan.”
“Does he know you’re coming to see him?” Mel, bless her, tried to ask as respectfully as possible without sounding nosey.
“He should,” she said incredulously. “I’m Talia. His wife.”