20. MIKI
MIKI
IVY
I slipped Miki’s glass into her outstretched hand and sipped my margarita while scanning the room.
The vibe was good.
A group of girls in their early twenties sat opposite us wearing colorful flower crowns, go-go boots, and daisy-shaped sunglasses. They were enjoying a ’70s-themed bachelorette party. To the left, a rowdy group of guys—all built like linebackers—laughed enthusiastically as they clowned around.
The DJ, a hipster with bright violet hair, was going hard, pulling out a stack of ’90s remixes, modern pop hits, and some hypnotic Afro-House. As she transitioned to a new track, the vocals engulfed the room.
The girls from the bachelorette party screamed and swarmed the dance floor, followed by the linebackers, grinning wildly.
“Let’s dance!” I cried over the music after I downed the last of my drink. “This is too good to miss.”
Miki nodded, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the dance floor. Miki danced, her hair fanning wildly, as we sang along with the rest of the crowd. We threw our hands in the air, the drop hit as the bass coursed through my body.
I let the deep beats travel through me, my head thrown back and my body rocking in time to the music. For the first time in months, I didn’t feel penned in. I swung my arms to the hypnotic rhythm as if the door to my cage had been flung open and I was running free.
The crowd flowed along to the pounding drumbeat, which eventually shifted into a chart-topping chorus. Everyone sang along until the music abruptly cut out. A few voices carried on into the silence before dissolving into hoots of laughter. The music kicked back in.
Laughing, Miki put her hand on my shoulder. “I need a drink,” she shouted over the music. We wandered over to the bar and shouted our order to the bartender.
“What an epic night,” I said, taking my glass. “I haven’t felt this good in forever.”
“It’s been ages for me too,” she said with a small shake of her head. “Way too long.”
Cheers and whoops of laughter blasted from the dance floor, and we turned to see one linebacker trying to do a handstand. He face-planted, then his friends tried to haul him back onto his feet.
“Someone’s had one too many,” I said with a giggle as I checked the time. “Let’s get out of here, or it’ll be tomorrow already.”
Miki laughed. “Sounds good.”
“Back in a sec,” I said, dashing to the restroom.
Miki was shoving her phone into her clutch when I returned a couple of minutes later. “Great timing, the Uber’s about to arrive.”
As we hauled ourselves into the back seat, we laughed about the night, agreeing we’d drunk too much and brainstorming where we might go next time. We were still laughing as we pulled up in front of the studio and made our way unsteadily up the stairs to the front door.
Miki fumbled with the lock. “I can’t open it.” She giggled as the keys slipped out of her hand.
We both bent down to pick them up and collided as we tried to stifle our chuckles. “Shh, or we’ll wake the neighbors!” I whispered too loudly and almost dropped them myself. “Here, let me try.” Finally, after fiddling with the key, the door swung open.
“Hallelujah!” Miki snickered. “I thought we’d have to sleep in the laundry room.”
“Imagine the neighbor’s face if he found us asleep in there.” We burst into laughter.
Our standoffish neighbor worked the night shift and had a habit of doing his laundry before the sun came up. Still giggling, we stumbled inside as I kicked the door shut behind me with the back of my foot.
“I’ve had such a great time today. I love hanging out together. We have so much fun,” Miki said.
“I had a good day too. Ahh, my head’s spinning!” I flung off my shoes and flopped down onto the bed. “We drank too much.” I rested my eyes for a moment to steady my lightheadedness—
Miki clapped her hands, and my eyes flew open. “I can’t believe I’ve almost finished my massage diploma. Soon, I’ll have my qualification. Then I can finally quit working at Sizzling Hot.” She jumped to her feet and did a victory dance.
“That’ll be amazing, Miki,” I said drowsily.
She pulled open the bedside drawer, took out a bottle, and gave it a shake.
“I’ve got my final practical exam next week!
What do you say? Are you up for a massage?
I could use the practice.” She opened the bottle and inhaled the scent.
“Mmm, so good. It’s the new lavender-coconut oil I’ve been wanting to try.
” She leaned closer, holding the bottle out to me.
“That’s low-key heavenly.” I breathed in the heady fragrance. “And if it’ll help you pass your exam, then yeah, sure. But heads-up, I might not stay awake.” I stifled a yawn.
“Thank you so much. I do not want to fail this exam.” She spread a towel out on the bed. “I’ll just do your back. Just take your dress off and lie on your tummy on the towel.”
I pulled off my dress, tossed it on the floor, and lay as instructed.
Miki lit what was left of the candle on the bedside table, then turned out the light. She poured the oil into her hands, rubbing them together until the oil was warm.
The intoxicating scent of coconut filled the room.
Her hands glided gently along my back in long strokes. As she worked her way upward, I felt my muscles relax. When she reached my shoulders, she applied just the right amount of pressure, kneading out the knots of tension. I let out a light sigh.
After a while, her touch lightened, then slowed to a stop. I opened my eyes. “Wow, that was amazing.”
“Glad you liked it. I hope I’m good enough to pass the exam,” she said, standing.
“I think it’s safe to say you’re going to nail it.”
“Thanks.” She smiled. “The only trouble with being a therapist is that you never get a massage yourself,” she said with a laugh, pressing her fingers into her shoulder.
I glanced at her. “I mean, I’m no therapist, but I could try, if you want,” I offered, stifling another yawn and wishing I could just curl up and go to sleep.
“Really?” She slipped off her top. “That’d be seriously amazing.” Her skirt fell to the floor, and she lay face down on the towel.
Warming the oil in my hands, I rubbed both palms upward along her back as the candle flickered and then went out beside us.
Fighting a yawn, I willed myself to stay awake as I pressed and kneaded the same way she had.
When my hands started to ache, I paused for a few seconds, then lifted them off her back, wiping them on the side of the towel.
Miki rolled over and sat up.
I finished wiping my hands. As I looked up, Miki’s outline drew closer. Her lips pressed against mine.
I froze before pulling away, my limbs weak. “Miki.” I shut my eyes and shook my head slowly, trying to steady myself through the dizziness. “I’m with Karson,” I whispered, almost to myself.
Then I heard a noise on the other side of the room.
My blood ran cold…
Someone’s in here!
***
Covered in oil, wearing only my underwear, I sat motionless on the bed in the pitch-dark. In the silence, I strained to hear the sound again.
“What the hell?” A familiar voice cracked the silence like broken glass.
“Karson!” I drew in a sharp breath. “What?” My hands flew to my cheeks. He can’t be here. That’s not possible.
With a look of alarm, Miki slunk into the bathroom.
“I called out to you, but it’s becoming clearer why you didn’t hear me. And why was your door open in the middle of the night? I thought there must have been a break-in. Why were you two kissing?” he growled.
My gaze moved to the dark outline of the door, then back to him in confusion.
He took a couple of steps then switched on the lamp. The light cast a soft glow over the room as my heart sank in despair. Raking a hand across his forehead, he shook his head as he scanned the room until his gaze settled on our discarded clothes on the floor.
“What’s going on, Ivy?”
I leaped off the bed and stopped in front of him, but he backed away as though stung. The room tilted around me, but I couldn’t drag my eyes away.
I love Karson. This isn’t how things are meant to go.
I drew in a slow breath, but my thoughts kept racing.
“Karson.” My voice shook. “What are you doing here? How did you even get in?” I stared in disbelief. “And what about your father? It’s dangerous for you to be here.”
“Shouldn’t you be the one doing the explaining?” His palms faced upward. “I told you the door wasn’t shut properly… and I’m here because I wanted to tell you some good news.” Tension marred his face as he fixed me with an accusing stare.
Ugh! The damn door must not have closed properly when I kicked it. A sharp pain cut through my chest. Why did we do that stupid massage?
He stared at me in alarm, before breaking away and striding to the end of the tiny living room, then back again like a caged lion.
“Karson, this is not what it seems.” I paused, trying to gather my muddled thoughts. “I mean, obviously, it is… you saw, right? But also, it isn’t.” I shook my head. “Does that make sense?”
I swallowed hard, my throat tightening as I gave a pitiful smile. But even in my drunken state, my explanation sounded like a train wreck.
“What the hell, Ivy? No. It makes zero sense. And yes, I saw you kissing.” As he glared at me, a bout of nausea hit. I leaned a hand against the wall to steady myself.
My eyes grew heavy. I held my breath for a beat, trying to settle the nausea. My mind drifted to how things should have gone down…
He would have cocooned me in his arms, and burning with raw desire, I’d meld into his chest. If only Miki hadn’t kissed me, he would have murmured something beautiful, like, Firefly, you don’t know how much I’ve missed you. Without you, it’s been impossible.
He’d have grazed his thumb slowly across my cheek. I’d have lost myself in the sensation of his touch, gazed into those loving eyes and whispered, It’s hard to breathe when you’re not near.
He’d pull me against his chest, murmuring, I couldn’t wait a second longer to see you, to touch—
“Ivy!” Karson said crossly. “Are you even listening?”
“Sorry, yes, what did you say?”
“I said I have some news,” he continued, his voice like ice. “I caught the soonest flight I could so I could share it with you in person.” He smiled bitterly. “But I see now that was a big mistake.”
“What news?” I asked, half afraid he wouldn’t tell me.
His jaw twitched. “I guess it doesn’t matter anymore.”.
“But for what it’s worth, I invested the money from the boat sale into one of Dyson’s ventures a while ago.” A frown creased his forehead as he raked his fingers through his disheveled hair. “It’s gone ballistic. Like, off the charts.”
“That’s incredible! I’m happy for you, Karson.” A bittersweet smile hung on my lips. “But that won’t stop your father’s relentless threats or loosen his hold on you.”
The ongoing nightmare with Karlos had taken a toll on me. Suddenly I was exhausted to my very core.
“He won’t be bothering you for much longer. I’m financially independent of my father now, Ivy.” A sad smile tugged at his mouth. “Like. Really. Fucking. Rich. We could’ve done whatever we wanted.” The last hint of spark in his eyes faded. “But you’re right. Money alone won’t stop his threats.”
He inched closer, placing the tip of his finger under my chin, tipping my face upward as his gaze pierced mine.
“I have evidence that my father’s running a criminal operation.
Soon he won’t be able to touch you, or me, anymore.
I need you to know that, Ivy. And I’m sorry for all the hurt he caused you. He’s going to be finished.”
Could this be happening?
Is it really over? Am I free of Karlos?
My shoulders dropped in relief, and I slumped groggily against him. Mmm… notes of citrus, with a hint of sun and sea salt. As I stood there half-naked, he ran his fingers up my arm, stopping abruptly, then holding them closer to his face.
“Oil.” He winced, wiping them across his T-shirt. “All over you.” A shadow clouded his beautiful face.
His hands hung by his sides and he backed away.
The knot in my stomach ached and twisted.We could have been together again. But I’d ruined everything.
“Goodbye, Ivy,” he murmured, with crumpled shoulders and downcast eyes.
“No!” The kiss with Miki pricked at me like a thorn. “Karson, please,” I said, regret ripping through me like wildfire after a long drought.
“Why? Why? Why?” He pleaded. “We were perfect together… I guess it doesn’t matter anymore.”
“We still can be,” I said desperately, my eyes stinging. “It was nothing, I swear.” Tears spilled down my cheeks. “Just let me explain—”
He retreated to the door. “I’m very sorry I interrupted your night.” He left without a backward glance.
I followed him outside. “Karson!” I sobbed.
But he vanished into the shadows of the night, taking what was left of my heart with him.
I shuffled back inside, numb, closing the door firmly behind me. The pounding in my chest reached a deafening crescendo.
“Ivy,” Miki said, emerging from the bathroom. “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault! Why did I have to let my feelings for you get the better of me? I thought maybe you felt the same.”
“Miki, I had no idea,” I spluttered as I collapsed on the chair.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry Ivy.”
“I shouldn’t have gotten that drunk. Maybe then I wouldn’t have been practically naked in bed with you, and you wouldn’t have gotten the wrong idea.”
“No, this is on me. And I’m really, really sorry. I didn’t mean to get so drunk, and I just got ahead of myself.”
“Well, I feel stone-cold sober now,” I cried, leaning my head into my hands.
How did this happen? I’d lost Karson. And caused him so much pain.
“You have to make him understand. You can fix this, I’m sure of it,” Miki said.
“I hope you’re right. I love him too much to lose him like this.”