Heartbreak You - T.L. Smith Page 0,18

up on the coffee table.

Thea may have had him.

But I will own him.

I rub my belly and smile.

I’m sorry, Thea, but this time you will not win. Because I already have his heart, and you aren’t allowed in.

Because he is mine.

Chapter Nine

Theadora

It’s been two weeks, and I have managed to start something I wasn’t sure I could actually do on my own. I’m proud of myself. My website is coming together, and shipments of samples are on their way. Marissa was right, the suppliers took a chance on me the same as I took a chance on them, and they cut back their minimum order amount as long as I covered shipping, which I happily agreed to. I’ve worked a few nights with Tina to make sure I have some money supply, and I stay up all night working out how exactly I want my business to run going forward.

I’m loving how it’s shaping up, and looking to the future, I can see it’s going to do well for me.

Sydney ended up letting Marissa give me the details early, as long as I had a dinner booked, which I did, just not right away. I needed room to breathe first. Taking a break away from Atlas is like coming off a ventilator—you wonder if you can still breathe on your own.

“Gosh, I thought you said you ordered small amounts,” Tina says as she walks through the door, carrying a box of sample clothing.

“I did.”

Her eyes bulge. “So, what does a large order mean?”

“Shipping containers,” I tell her, to which she shakes her head.

“Have you worked out what you want to sell?”

“Everyday fashion with some sass.” I smile.

“I mean… that describes you.” She looks me up and down in my acid-washed jeans and halter top. “Is this close to what you were doing?”

“Yes and no. Chloe’s company prices were high-end. She was greedy, and she didn’t care about the product. I care, and I hope to keep prices at the lower-end,” I say, biting my lip while opening the first box which is full of jeans and sweats. I’ve been living in sweats lately, and the only really good ones that are comfortable for around the house—and good enough if I have to pop out to run an errand—cost a fortune. I plan to change all that. I want something that’s comfortable and isn’t embarrassing to leave the house in. Casual chic I call it.

“You’re on a winner with this, and I know you will keep prices down, you are the most non-greedy person I’ve ever met.” I look up at her as I sit on the floor, pulling out all the samples.

“How’s Sydney?” I haven’t seen Sydney since the night she picked me up from the police station, and I’m not sure how much of her I’m ready to see again.

“She’s good. Atlas is throwing her a work birthday party, at the casino in his private room.” I roll my eyes at the mention of his private rooms. I’ve been to one and didn’t like it very much. “And she did ask that I bring you. If you’re comfortable with it… that is.”

“When is it?”

“Two weeks.”

That will mark a month since I’ve seen him.

“Do you want me there?” I ask.

“Only if you’re comfortable. He will be there.”

“Yes, I know. I don’t care. But do you want me there?” She sits on the floor next to me.

“Yes. Her mother is coming, and I’ll be the first girl she’s ever introduced to her. So, yes, I would like you to come, but I understand if you can’t or don’t want to.” She starts folding the clothes I pulled out.

“Of course, I will.”

She looks up, holding a baby pink shirt in her hand. “You will?” she asks cheerfully, and then her voice drops. “What about Atlas?”

“It will be fine. I’m sure he can be civil for one night. I know I can.”

“I’m sure you’re right.”

Two weeks fly by, and in that time, I’ve signed off and decided on my first twenty outfit sets I plan to sell on my website. I’m sticking to a small number of options, so I don’t go overboard or become overloaded, and to ensure they sell.

Derek made me an office, it has a vibrancy in it that Tina helped with, picking bright colors and I love it. Tina let him in my house one day when I was out, and I came home to him shirtless and sweating. I have to say that was a nice sight, but