you were each with someone else?”
“Sloane, Dale and I have been around a long time and the fact that we have each other makes the penance easier. I’m not going to get into why I agreed to this, but we both had our reasons and we’ve found whatever ounce of happiness there is in this situation. And that’s what we hold onto. I won’t lie to you and say it doesn’t bother me that I have to share him with another woman. It bothers him just as bad, but it’s better than not doing it and spending an eternity in Hell alone. You do what you have to in order to survive.” Mindy adjusted her clothes and freshened her makeup in the mirror as she explained.
“I don’t know if I could ever allow something like that. Viktor and I are barely a couple and I can’t deal with anyone else staring at him for too long, more less think about him with someone else.”
“It’s the price we pay to be happy.”
“So, the people you choose are …”
“Already damned,” she said, finishing my sentence for me. “When did you find all this out in the first place? I mean, I knew Shay was one hundred percent human, but I’m figuring you had no idea about yourself, did you?”
“I still have no idea what the hell I am. I just found out that everything from the movies is true, obviously.”
Mindy pushed off the sink and walked over to me. She put her hands on both sides of my face and stared at me intensely as if she could see right through me.
“Just kidding, I can’t see anything.” She laughed hysterically and I chimed in too.
“You are such an ass.” I shoved her to the side and applied my own lip gloss.
“Sloane, regardless of what it is you are looking for, you need to know that everything happens for a reason. You can’t stop it from happening.” Mindy turned and walked out after patting me on my back.
Chapter 7
After our talk, I sat there a little longer wondering what to do. In a way, she was right. I must have lost track of time, because there was suddenly a knock on the door. Then immediately I realized I left Viktor out there by himself. I walked over to the door and opened it to find Viktor standing on the other side.
“Are you OK?” He wore a sad smile.
“Yeah, sure, I’m great. I own a club that’s the devil’s playground. Other than that, I’m coming to terms with my freakish abilities. I’m stoked about making some hellacious money tonight.” I walked past him, but he pulled me back to him and wrapped his arms around me.
“You will get through this. You are stronger than you know. You just have a problem with letting people get close enough to help you.”
“I just don’t get along with other people. I find it hard to trust them. It seems simpler to just stay away than to get hurt.”
“You can think that all you want, but you could also be missing out.”
“Like what?”
“Like having a boyfriend, maybe.” He smiled that fantastic smile of his.
“Is that right? And just what makes you think I want one?”
“Well, I think Mindy has already determined it for you, because she specifically told me she had special plans for me if I ever break your heart.”
“Well, apparently Mindy can whip your ass, and if she felt like she couldn’t I’m sure she would have Dale do it.” I laughed. Mindy, I had to admit, was another great friend I couldn’t imagine living without.
“I’m sure he would have to comply just so Mindy wouldn’t whip his.” We laughed and I caught Mindy and Dale watching. I gave them a wink just so they knew everything was OK.
“You really want me that close to you? As broke as I am?” I looked into his eyes.
“I think I might be the glue that puts you back together.”
“OK, don’t ever say that again because that was just so cheesy.” I laughed hysterically and I actually snorted.
“Come on. Put me to work boss; tell me what you want me to do. I’m not leaving your side.”
I took his hand and led him to the employee closet where we kept everything personal and most of the club’s merchandise. I went in and handed him a security shirt. Even though we both knew Dale didn’t need the extra help, it made me feel good having Viktor here. Dale walked Viktor