Fighting Chance

“Ingrid, you know that I love you more than my favorite book boyfriend, but you’ve seriously got to let it go. It’s been six months since you caught that twatwaffle Davis banging your bitch of stepsister when you were supposed to be picking out your wedding cake. Time to move the fuck on.” My best friend Lola Maxwell sighed at me over the top of her martini.

She was right. Yes, I had been devastated. Who wouldn’t be, catching their fiancée in the back of his BMW with another woman’s legs wrapped around his waist? Catching him screwing Laura, my supposed sister since we were both eight, is just a nail in the coffin of our almost wedding. All family gatherings have been tense since, considering I have barely spoken to her, and she’s insisted on bringing Davis to everything. It doesn’t matter if it’s my Nana’s eightieth birthday or the fourth of July barbeque last week, she’s enjoying flaunting their relationship in my face more than a sugar crazed kid set lose in a candy store.

I still can’t believe it, honestly. I always had a feeling growing up that she hated me, but taking my fiancée from me? That was a low blow, even for her.

I took another drink of my sex on the beach, before offering Lola a weak smile, “I know. I still can’t believe I almost married the cheating bastard.” I grabbed another pretzel from the bowl on the table in front of us before standing, “Order me another drink, will you? I’ve got to run to the lady’s room.”

I quickly pushed my way through the crowd on my way to the bathroom at the back of the crowded bar on the Las Vegas Strip. I sigh and squeeze my legs together at the sight of the line five women deep into the ladies room. After waiting ten minutes, I am mercifully allowed to enter the bathroom. I quickly relieve myself and as I’m standing at the sink washing my hands my amber eyes meet a familiar pair in the mirror.

My heart sinks in dread.

The last person I want to deal with tonight is my fake stepsister Laura, who is next to me reapplying her neon pink lipstick. As our eyes connect in the mirror she smirks. She replaces the cap on her lipstick and tosses it into her clutch before turning to me.

“Ingrid! Fancy seeing you here,” Laura places her hands on her hips and smiles at me, “Still single?”

I roll my eyes, “Still sleeping with my sloppy seconds?”

She scoffs, “Davis is anything but sloppy. He says I am the best he’s ever had actually. I’m not sure you can say that you’ve had a man tell you the same.”

Before I catch myself a low growl by passes my lips and I can’t stop myself before the lie falls out like word vomit, “Even though it’s none of your business I’ve started seeing someone and the orgasms are out of this world.” Why? Why would I possibly say that? It’s been six months since our engagement ended, and I haven’t tried dating again. Davis and I were together for four years, I am just not ready to put myself back out there. My heart can’t take it.

But she doesn’t need to know that. As far as she’s concerned, I am the happiest I have ever been. I have been having the time of my life over the summer while I am off work. My best girlfriends, Lola and Brooke have been amazing at helping me keep my mind off the whole situation. I will not let Laura ruin our weekly night out.

After my statement, no lie, Laura looks at me with one perfectly manicured brow raised, “Seriously?” She scoffs, “I find that hard to believe. How could anyone possibly want to be with you? He must be an absolute dog who is just looking for an easy lay.” She chuckles.

“Actually he is waiting for me at the bar, so I really should get back out there to him.” I move to the door but not before she grasps my elbow so I can’t leave.

I look down at her French manicured hands with loathing in my eyes.

“Oh, good then you can introduce him to the family at Mom’s big surprise birthday bash in two weeks. I’m sure they’re dying to meet him. It must be a new relationship as I didn’t even know he existed until a few minutes ago. Surely if you had been dating long we would have heard about it at the fourth of July party last week.”

Shit. I forgot all about that when I spewed my word vomit. Maybe all those fruity cocktails are starting to catch up to me. Good going, Ingrid. You idiot.

I close my eyes and sigh before opening then and responding with a smile, “I look forward to it. See you then.” I quickly move to the door and as I enter the bar once again I rub my palms on my skinny jeans and my eyes scan the room.

Now, what?

I just told her that I was going to come out here and meet my new beau, she’s going to know I was lying if I go back over to my table with Lola and Brooke. I nervously chew on my lower lip as I quickly scan all the seemingly available men at the bar. I slowly make my way towards the end of the bar and take the empty stool next to an attractive muscular tattooed male with a tantalizing five o’clock shadow on his face. As I sit down I chance a quick glance at his left hand and notice he’s not wearing a ring.

When I raise my hand to get the bartenders attention I notice Laura coming out of the bathroom. Turning I gently place my hand on the attractive male’s bicep and whisper into his ear, “Do me a huge favor and pretend to be my boyfriend for five minutes?”

As I pull back with what I hope is a seductive smile I am met with the most mesmerizing green eyes and my heart stops in anticipation of his answer.

I sigh when I once again spot not only Laura but Davis as well. My heart is beating a mile a minute as I wait for his response.

Please say yes.