of unconsciousness. A dull throb pulsed in my head, and my bod

the sheets felt strange. My sheets weren't this silk

sat up so fast my head

modern. Everything screamed money. The night came rushing ba

g

o. His face was burned into my memory. Those grey eyes, the way they s

d hair, trying to steady my br

sg

bedside table. For a second, I thought, At least he

the

e the folded piece of paper. My chest

with trembling hand

mpression. Unt

he paper. Anger and humiliation surg

... I couldn't even finish the th

ney could help. Things were tight, and I wasn't abov

wouldn't touch i

to the far edge of the table as if putting d

ed to the empty room, the

ments frantic. My clothes were neatly folded on a chair-h

feeling like a reminder of my shame. Thi

e names I didn't even know. And I sure as hell didn't wake up

for the door without a backward glanc

as the room. Everything about this place screamed w

. My makeup was smeared, my hair wild, and my eyes... I looke

I whispered to

ad but doing nothing to dull the shame twisting in my chest. Ever

hinking? Had I be

weakness. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake t

lipped inside, closing the door behind me and leaning again

ressing my forehead

wed up.

ke the feeling that this wa

to the living room, the

li

odie from the night before, his arm slung over his face

n here. He must'v

my subtle movement must have made a noise because he stirred, sitting up groggily and rubbing h

ick with sleep. "Where wer

truth. The thought of admitting what I'd done-that I'd spe

gaze. "I'm so sorry, Del," I said, keeping my tone light. "I s

ted bitter

narrowing slightly.

ng my hand dismissively. "It was stupi

entirely. "I was worried, Dahlia. You're always the one tellin

hoke me. He had every right to be upset. I'd been

ng down beside him. "I messed up. I'

ghed. "Fine. Just... don't do that again. I'm serious, Dahl. I do

ised, forcing

eck as he stood. "I'll make some cof

kitchen. Once he was out of sight, I sank i

let him down, and for what? A

couldn't shake the feeling of those grey eye

," I whisper

ready knew it would

coffee table when my phone buzzed. Delijah was upstairs i

e screen. I hesitated for

aid, my vo

sity behind her light tone. "So, are you going to tell me what happened after y

heel of my hand to my f

her voice softened. "Oh no

ions. "I don't know, Stacy. I mean, it wasn'

? Dahlia,

before I could stop them. "I woke up in his bed, alone

Her voice shot

e I was someone he hired for the night." The

horrified. "Oh my god. I'm

"Don't. This isn't on you.

eone! I practically dared you

. You didn't do anything wrong. I made the choice. A

other end before she spoke again, her

feel like an idiot. I regret it, yeah. But maybe... maybe it was a wake-up call. I've be

softly, the guilt sti

Don't beat yourself up about it. I'll be fine. It's

into her tone. "The guy's a jerk for leaving you money like that.

letting her words

that guy again, I'm giving him a piece

h out of me. "You'd p

e her smirking. "You deserve better than some myste

down, a part of me wondered if

ng. "When you're ready, let's hang out

id. "I'll le

e and leaned back into the couch. Stac