ng desperately at the hem of my tragically short skirt. I could practically

l kill. Do you not get it?" Ivanna declared like a mafia queen, standing tall a

wind slapped me across the face like it had a personal vendetta. I immediately ya

"Mira, come on. We're going to

pitalized for hypothermia ton

er head, gave me a once-over full of disappointment-but said n

e. That was the whole reason I wore this thermal fortre

plans to foll

ed a rolled-up bill into the bouncer's hand, her palm casually grazi

hat's all it t

ful that made men forget prot

that, we breez

f champagne. I ripped off my coat the second we stepped inside, only

h a flick of her fingers, like she'd personally

Nearly dropped my purse and stumbled like a h

ooked like roadki

the same as my checking account balance, I mig

glued to the menu like it had j

ys glance and scoffed.

en off an engagement, risked being exiled to some remote tropical island by my paren

outrageously good-looking models, and a legion of finance br

ty and hormones, wrapped in velvet

d hadn't even ordered drinks whe

eatures, sleeves rolled to the elbows just

very least starring in Dior's newest fragrance campaign. Maybe tha

, French

nk on the menu, Ivanna had already tossed h

e-the one that balanced perfectly between sexy and innocent,

essly for the gin, giving her

" she said, casually pointing her thumb

ed that my personal life

this place runs on romantic catastrophes. Witho

the crowd, flipping into Social Que

zeroing in on prey-before spinning back around and pointing her

r ex-fiancé's moral compass, shirt unbuttoned just enough to scream sexy without

my head.

. Dressed like payday hasn't happened yet, but he's hot enough you'd

as

ood kind. Like 'books your doctor's appointment and your breakfast' dad, no

my hands. "Iv

ike a decorative wall gecko. Tonight is about rebo

ound recommendations, she suddenly froze. It wa

, she said, "Hey, want

ed my ey

e's weird." Her smile was tight, and her v

, and we just ordered drinks. By Ivanna's standard

ollowed

private

h

er head rested on his shoulder, makeup

need more

would neve

. I, in all my naive glory, believed she had simply "stepped a

ocked in a pose so intimate it looked less like a casual bar

it. Over him. We'd broken up.

eard what

think she'd fall apa

kind that sounded like she'd just killed someone

urse I put that mug somewhere obvious. I wanted her to notice. After all, she still doesn't

Even I almost believed you were worried she'd find out about us, instead of just helping me pull off the sce

She spends every day trying to be the perfect girlfriend. If she fou

Mira, she's probably still scrambling to fix things. She's the type who always

ks. And me? I just 'happened' to return home. Her parents don't know a thing. They didn't even get the chance to stop me.

Isn't this the best ending? I never gave up on

l smirk on his lips. "You'

and my heartbeat pounded aga

eading with me to stay calm, not to do

who swallowed her pri

d turned to the bartender. "Your bes

king soul-didn't even flinch. He handed me t

, I had a mission. A si

face-like a vengeful goddess straight from hell-m

ine. They were lip-locked in some dramati

-and smashed it, wi

the table. Rhys's forehead split instantly, a trai

his lap. "Mirabelle?! Are you i

rising in her voice. "You're misund

"Don't bother explaining, Katherine. It doesn't matter. My parents will

urled into his side with sickening sweetness and cooed, "Oh,

m every pore. She raised her hand, ready to slap Katherine straight back

a, let them go. If they stay here one more s

voice deliberately. "After all, the theme of this place is p

lips. Rhys's face darkened, but

uncers. "Well? What are you waiting for? Kindly escort th