Four Months Later

“Surprise,” I jump from the shock of about thirty people screaming at me when I walk in the door of Brady’s apartment. Placing my hand on my chest, I feel my heart racing. I take a deep breath and smile at Brady as he walks toward me.

“Happy twenty-first birthday, kitten,” he whispers against my lips before he connects our mouths for a spine-tingling kiss. His hand slides down over the curve of my ass earning us some wolf whistles. He pulls his mouth from mine, smiling against my lips. “Now that I’m seeing you, I’m kicking myself for inviting everyone over. You look so sexy.” His lips move to the bottom of my ear, teasing along the edge. “I want you to myself,” he growls.

I rub my hands over his chest. “There will be plenty of time for us to be alone.”

“Where’s my girl?” Nick calls out from across the room.

Brady scowls at him and I smile. Nick loves to mess with him.

“Here I am,” I yell, earning a poke in the side from Brady. “Hey, that’s not nice.”

“Neither is saying you’re his girl. I think you need twenty-one spankings to remind you who you belong to.” He pulls me in front of him, wrapping his arms tight around my waist. “You’re my girl and I’ll fight anyone I need to for you. I’m never giving you up.”

My arms circle his neck and my fingers rake through the hair on the back of his head. “I don’t want anyone but you.”

“Good, because you’re stuck with me.” His eyes stare intently at my face, carefully watching me.

“What?” I question.

“Will you move in with me? I want you with me every day.”

“Are you serious?” I question.

“Completely. You had to see this coming. We spend all our time together anyway. The only thing left to do is to make it official.”

“Don’t ask me unless you know for sure that’s what you want.”

“I don’t need to think about it anymore. It’s what I’ve wanted since the first night you slept in my bed.”

“When I was drunk?”

“Yep, I knew then I had to find a way to make you fall in love with me.” He nuzzles my nose with his. “My diabolical plan worked. You’re all mine, now.”

One Month Later

“I’m coming,” I shout as I hurry across the hardwood floors of our apartment. I finished moving in with Brady three weeks ago and I’ve never been happier. We now get to spend all our free time together.

Nick was almost as excited about me joining them as Brady was. Now he has someone to watch all his sci-fi favorites with. I’ve even gotten him hooked on Battlestar Galactica.

Raine found some guy who wants the second bedroom in the apartment we were set to sign the lease for. I hope she knows what she’s doing. She said he’s hot and she’s hoping for some strings free sex as part of their roommate agreement.

I don’t bother taking the time to look through the peephole, before pulling the door open as quickly as possible. I’m extremely surprised to find Cindy standing there. My mouth freezes open in an oh. Although I emailed her my new address so she could forward mail to me; I never expected her to be standing on my doorstep.

She smiles at my discomfort. “Harlow, sorry to drop by unexpectedly, but I was in the neighborhood.”

“Do you want to come in?” I ask, and then kick myself for having such good manners. She doesn’t deserve my kindness.

“Yes please, I need to talk to you about something.”

Stepping back, I allow room for her to pass by me before I close the door. I don’t ask her if she’d like a drink or if she wants to sit down. Why prolong this?

“I have something for you,” she says, reaching inside her large purse. She pulls out a business size envelope addressed to me. I notice the return address is the law firm dad always used.

Taking it from her, I tear open the flap and blink repeatedly at the check I just received. One-hundred-fifty thousand dollars. Frozen in place, I’m numb, staring at the rectangular piece of paper made out to me and worth such an ungodly amount of money. Also enclosed is a letter explaining how my dad wanted me to turn twenty-one before I gained access to this money. I guess that explains why I didn’t know of its existence until now.

“Why did you bring this to me? Why not let his attorney deliver it?

“I wanted to see your expression when you saw the check. Receiving that much money is life changing. There’s nothing better than the feeling of knowing you have access to all those funds.”

“I remember dad mentioning how good you’d be doing if something happened to him.” I shake my head. “I never thought he’d be gone, though.”

“Good thing your father had a sizeable insurance policy. I certainly earned it,” she says, her lips pressed tightly together.

I inhale sharply and my eyes open wide. “Why would you say that, Cindy? You didn’t love my father?”

She places her manicured hand on her chest and shakes her head. “What? Of course, I did. Why would you ask such a thing?”

“That was an odd choice of words you used.” I cross my arms over my chest.

“You always did have an overactive imagination. Maybe you should be pursuing a career in writing instead of psychology.” She slips her purse over the crook of her arm and jingles her keys in her hand. “I should get going. I’m glad you’re doing so well. Brady’s lucky that you’re so forgiving and trusting.” She opens her mouth to continue and I cut her off.

“Don’t, Cindy.” I throw my hands up in the air. “I’m all done talking with you.” Stomping to the door, I open it for her.

Her high heels echo against the wood floors with each deliberate step she takes. She passes by me uttering a quick, “take care, Harlow.”

“Oh, Cindy,” I say, waiting for her to turn around. Our eyes meet and I allow myself to verbalize the words that are clawing their way out. “Do you ever worry?”

“About what?” she asks.

“About the horrible karma coming your way? I see a large plate of misery being served to you very soon.” I take a step closer and lean toward her. “In fact, I think you’ve already started choking it down.”

She doesn’t answer me. She takes a step backward and spins around, quickly moving toward the front door of the building.

Leaning against the doorjamb, my arms crossed over my chest, I watch her until she leaves. Blowing out a large sigh, I run a hand over my forehead and down my cheek. I’m not sure what to make of the conversation we just had. What a cruel and manipulative bitch. Not only does she try to remind me of her and Brady at every turn, but she stooped low enough to make me question whether she loved my dad at all.

I have a feeling this is the last I’ll be seeing of Cindy.