I stood up so fast that my chair slid across the room and slammed against the wall behind me. I grabbed my phone off the console.

"Is no one else seeing this?" I said into my phone. "Do not let them use those candles for any kind of hot-wax play." I mean, seriously. What the hell were they thinking? That type of candle wax would cause second degree burns in seconds.

Was this their first day in my club? I needed to sit down and reevaluate my training sessions. This was the second incident this week. I prided myself on running a tight ship. For a sex club. People thought places like this had no rules. Hell no. We had a shit-ton of rules. Rules that ensured everyone stayed safe. I didn't need this headache. I had things to do. TV shows to watch. Games to play. And as much as I loved my club, sometimes a girl needed a day off from the club.

And tomorrow I'd finally get it. Killian's wedding day. A day I thought I'd never see. My bridesmaid's dress hung in the closet in the corner of my office. The pale purple was a stark contrast to the leather and lace that usually filled the space. I stared at the bright screens in front of me and watched my team move into the playroom.

I grabbed the dress out of my closet and slung it over my arm. Tomorrow should be interesting. I grimaced—John would be there. He'd been all over my ass ever since the thing went down with Killian and Rhys, but it wasn't my fault. He knows how Killian can be when his mind is set on something. So I did a little hacking into the NJ Police Department databases to retrieve some private and confidential information. So sue me. Actually, probably best not to do that, or I'd end up in jail.

I stepped out of my office, checking the video monitors covering the whole wall one more time before closing the door behind me. I prayed that no one got hurt tonight. Killian thought I watched the screens because I was a voyeur, but I watched the screens because I cared about my patrons. I knew just how bad things could go when the scene went wrong. Phantom pain ran through my arms, and I rubbed the raised scars on my wrists under the wide bracelets that I always wore. I never wanted anything like that to happen to anyone else.

The summer heat hit me as I walked through the parking garage to my car. If there was one person I'd have thought would be riding singlehood into the sunset, it was Killian. I nearly swallowed my tongue when he gave up his private room at my club.

But once I met Rachel, it all made sense. At first, I was skeptical because of the age difference. He'd never been a cradle robber before, but then I saw them together, and they just fit. She wasn't afraid to give him a piece of her mind, and he was completely smitten. The looks they both got in their eyes when they were together were adorable. Like there was no one else in the world for them. So sweet it almost made you want to throw up in your mouth a little.

I pulled out of the garage, whipped around the corner, and ran over a random bag sitting in the middle of the street. There was no way to avoid it. I really hoped there wasn't something alive in there. I glanced in my rearview mirror and didn't see any carnage.

I got to my townhouse, dropped my keys on the table beside the door, and hung my dress up in the foyer. Tomorrow was the big day. I had to drive out to the hotel tonight for the rehearsal dinner. I hoped they didn't expect me to make a speech. At least that was one silver lining of John being there. Co-best men, well one best man and one best woman standing up at the altar for Killian.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I slid it out and smiled.

Sasha: Home yet?

Me: Yes, what are you my keeper?

Sasha: Yeah, I'm making sure you don't try to back out of this wedding.

Me: Why would I do that?

Sasha: Because you have to give a speech.

Our text messages continued long after we stopped gaming together. Typing was second nature when we spoke. Sash knew me too well at this point. Every time I thought of standing up in front of everyone giving a heartfelt speech I wanted to throw up.

Me: I'm not scared. It will be fine.

Sasha: On your way there?

Me: No, I still have some time.

Sasha: Stop stalling. Write your speech and get on the road.

Me: Fine.

Sasha: You'll be seeing John tonight, right?

Seeing his name sent a shiver down my spine. John Grimsby. Other best friend to Killian. Also a man I seem to want to strangle every time I saw him. Had I liked him back in high school? Had our night out been one I compared so many other nights out over the years, which was beyond pathetic? Yes.

Did I still dream about that one kiss on the front steps of my house? Yes, because I was a complete and total moron. John liked to mess with me. Toy with me. My infatuation with him was something he cured me of back in high school. Every time we saw one another, it was antagonistic. Almost a game at this point. See whose buttons got pushed first.

Me: It's fine. We only have to stand up at the altar together and sit next to each other at the rehearsal dinner and reception. It will be fine.

Sasha: Are you ever going to just get it all out in the open with him? Just move past high school.

I bristled at that. I think owning a sex club was pretty far past high school. Had I moved into full adulthood? I glanced around my brownstone. I owned my own home. Sure, it was filled with video game consoles, giant TVs, and an unhealthy amount of candy, but I'd say that went the same for most single guys in the city. It was an exercise in equality that I lived like this.

Me: There is nothing to move past. We are fine. This weekend will be fine, and we won't kill each other.

Sasha: I hope not.

I flopped down on the couch, my stomach grumbling. The TV screen that covered nearly my entire wall stared back at me. The temptation was strong. Just a few more episodes to binge-watch.

Sasha: Get off the couch and get on the road.

I rolled my eyes and turned on the TV.

Me: I'll be fine, Sash. Talk to you later.

I tucked my phone under my leg and grabbed the remote, flicking through the screens until I got to my show. My phone vibrated against my leg. I yanked it out and checked the screen.

Killian: Stop watching Netflix, Frankie! Get your ass down here!

I slammed my head against the couch. He was scary sometimes.

Me: I wasn't. I hadn't even turned the TV on yet. I'm coming.

Killian: Rachel's anxious to have some sane company. Dahlia just flew in, but the other bridesmaids are crazy.

Me: Way to lay it on thick. I'm coming.

John had the rings, so that was one less thing I needed to worry about. I chucked my little bit of makeup and hair stuff in the bag. There would be a professional hair and makeup person there tomorrow to handle the heavy lifting, but I needed to make sure I didn't look like the walking dead for the rehearsal dinner. I'd need to talk to John about the speeches because I didn't think anyone wanted me standing there in front of their friends and family as my stomach tried to climb out of my throat during a wedding speech.

With time ticking away, I rushed to get ready and get on the road. I snagged my dress from the hall and headed down to my car out front. Once I unlocked my car with the fob, I stopped short. Did it always tilt like that?

I came around to the driver’s side of my car and noticed the wonderfully flattened tire. What. The. Fuck? Stupid freaking bag in the middle of the road.

I stood there, dress in hand, trying to figure out how the hell to get out to Killian's wedding. Dropping the dress off inside, I came back out and popped the trunk, only to bang my head against the trunk lid. Getting the spare tire replaced had been on my to-do list, and guess what I forgot to do?

“Flat tire,” I said to the automated system, reading off my membership number. Standing at my kitchen counter.

“A tow truck will be with you in nineteen hours.” The disjointed voice parroted back to me. I ended the call, frustration mounting. I searched online for car services and taxi companies.

“And you don’t have any cars available?” I squeezed my forehead.

“None until tomorrow morning,” said the gruff voice on the other line.

“Okay, thanks,” I said, hanging up. That was the ninth taxi company I’d tried. There wasn’t a single stone unturned for transportation out of the city.

I was so not going to like my options. There were overlapping huge conventions in the city, which meant that taxis and car services were completely booked. I should have known this, because I had my club's car service ferrying visitors to and from their hotels to the club already. That meant that was not an option. Everyone else was already at the hotel, so it meant I was in the city on my own, save for one person. Great.

I racked my brain, trying to think of any other option other than the one I absolutely did not want to take. There were only three people I considered real friends. Two of them were getting married tomorrow, and the other was over in Russia. My finger hovered over the screen of my phone. I took a deep breath and tapped the contact, held it up to my ear, and hoped he didn't answer.

Unfortunately, John never seemed to have a single care about anything I hoped for.

"What's up, Frankie? And yes, I have the ring packed away, and my speech is ready, so don't get on my ass about it." His deep, irritated voice came out loud and clear. I took a deep breath. Breathe. Breathe. Just breathe.

"I need a favor, John." I ran my hand over my forehead and pinched the bridge of my nose as I kicked my front door closed.

"Oh really, Francesca?" His voice dripped with amusement. I clicked my teeth shut so hard I thought I might have chipped one.

"Yes, John." I said, my jaw tight.

"What can I do you for, Frankie?"

"I need a ride."

"You do? What happened to your car?"

"Nothing. It's fine. I just can't use it right now, and the car services are all booked. Are you already on your way there? Can you come get me?" I hated needing to ask him, of all people. John. Why did it have to be him? But I would be there for Killian, and I'd make sure everything went the way it was supposed to.

"I'm finishing up a few things here, but I can be there in two hours."

"Two hours? You were going to leave that late? Don't you know traffic is going to be killer getting out of the city, with the conventions going on, and everyone heading out to the beach?" I asked, equal parts annoyed that he was running so late and relieved that he was, so I could get a ride.

It was going to take us forever to get out of the city, but getting there late tonight was better than trying to make it in the morning. I'd already warned Killian to make sure he left early, so he didn't get caught, and here John was leaving so late.

"I know, but you know me. Unreliable John. I'll meet you at your place in two hours, okay?"

"Sure, see you then." I headed back inside my apartment and flicked on the TV. Yes! Mini binge-watch without guilt. This was going to be a long car ride. The longest I'd been around John since high school. I'd been an expert at avoiding him over the years, but I had no choice. What would probably be a three-hour car ride, sitting next to John Grimsby? The flutters in my stomach made me want to call him back and cancel the whole thing, but I didn't.

I could handle it. I could totally handle it...