on Monday and hire the new nurse. Then she'd gone straight back to his apartment. She'd spent most of the last thirty-six hours in his bed. Hence the bulky turtleneck; it was the only thing she owned that covered a large bruise – or was it a hickey? – that she was now sporting on the side of her neck.
I may have to sell my time to strange men and I may be losing myself to a guy I'm not even sure I like, but at least I'm not some pathetic girl who has to make up lies to feel good about myself.
“You're so lucky,” one of Harper's friend's cooed.
“Yeah, Ari's great, you were silly to let him go,” another agreed.
Harper preened and flicked her hair over her shoulder.
“I just don't know,” she sighed dramatically. “He begged me to take him back, but I'm just not sure. He's so suffocating, always wanting to be around me, but he's also so amazing, you know? I mean, he's going to be a junior senator some day.”
“Wow, Harper, that's awesome. You have to take him back – you'd get to be a senator's wife!”
The girls devolved into an ass-kissing circle, with Harper offering up her ass. Valentine sat back in her chair, a little shocked at how truly pitiful the entire scenario was. And also – Ari, a junior senator? She couldn't picture him in public office. He seemed to hate most people, why on earth would he want to be a public servant? Plus, she was pretty sure he could make a lot more money as a lawyer. He already had an impressive reputation and a portfolio full of satisfied clients, why would he want to give that up?
Anyone who lies as much as Harper can't be happy at all. I feel sorry for her.
When class finally ended, Valentine collected all her books and paperwork, trying to get out of the room as quickly as possible. She wasn't fast enough, though, because Harper blocked the aisle when she tried to leave.
“Tonight, eight o'clock,” she reminded her, and Valentine almost groaned out loud. She'd forgotten about their study date that night.
“Fuck, that's right,” she grumbled. Suddenly, her phone vibrated in her back pocket, and she felt herself blushing.
“What did you say?”
“I said right,” she babbled. “Eight, I'll be there, with bells on.”
“Good. The more work we get done on this, the sooner it'll be over,” Harper sighed, then she whirled around, giving one last hair flick before she left the room.
Val sagged back into her seat, yanking out her cell phone at the same time. She had several more messages from Ari, each one flirtier and dirtier than the last. She ignored them and started typing away.
I can't come over tonight.
I'm sorry, did I give the impression I was asking? You are coming over tonight.
I'm not. I have to be at Harper's, remember? Tuesdays and Thursdays at eight.
There was a long pause after that, and she collected her belongings once again and left the classroom. By the time he responded, she was halfway across the campus.
That'll be interesting.
Valentine groaned.
I don't handle things like this very well, it makes me feel sick.
Stop it. You're an adult, just keep your shit together, and you'll be fine. And you can still come over afterwards.
I hate her and I'm banging her ex-boyfriend and I have too many secrets to keep up with – I can't be sitting there with her, while at the same time planning what flavor of whip cream you're going to lick off me later, I just can't.
You're so dramatic. As if I'd ever let you pick which flavor we'd use.
That's it. I'm shutting off my phone until tomorrow.
Don't you fucking dare.
She could practically feel his anger through the phone.
I should, it would serve you right.
It would get you spanked so hard, you wouldn't be able to sit down for a week.
Valentine shivered, then paused long enough to undo the chain lock on her bicycle.
Go to your dinner. Schmooze your peeps. Then be a normal person and drink the stress away and pass out. We can see each other tomorrow.
Ari didn't respond, and she couldn't tell if it was because she'd actually made him mad, or if he was just bored with the conversation. She waited for a couple minutes, then she strapped on her helmet and rode her bike home. When she got there, she got off the bike and carried it up onto the porch before letting herself inside. She was about