1-Roxie
I tug down my little black dress, making sure it’s covering my ass as we step into the club. The music’s blasting, lights flashing, bodies bumping against each other while we weave through the crowd. Honestly? I’d rather be home in my warm bed, but I try not to sulk. Strong hands grab my arm — probably to dance or buy me a drink — but I shrug it off and keep moving toward our reserved table. Thank God Tasha set up bottle service. I’m not in the mood to bar-mingle tonight.
After a month of crying and licking my wounds, I finally let Tasha drag me out. I’d have preferred jeans and sneakers for comfort, but she insisted on a night dressed up. So here we are. Tasha’s been my closest friend in London for years. We met at university, the only two Americans at orientation, and clicked instantly. She became the family I needed when I left home. I’m banking on her to help me find myself again — post-breakup.
When we met, Tasha could tell I was broken, no matter how much I tried to hide it. She nursed me through the heartbreak, stuck by me through awful rebounds, and cheered me on when I met Roman. When Roman walked into that coffee shop, it was like the sun finally shone on someone else — finally someone worth loving after Nari and Kai. I thought he was forever… until I caught him in our bed with his work partner. The same partner he swore was “just a colleague.” Guess sucking dick was part of the job description. Three years flushed down the drain in minutes. I cried for a month before Tasha said enough and dragged me out.
“So, we’re getting you laid tonight,” Tasha yells over the music like it’s a plan, not a question.
“I’ll pass,” I say flat. Hard pass. I’m 28 — I want more than a one-night stand. I want passion, love — something this club doesn’t offer. What I want? I never stopped wanting it, not even during my time with Roman.
“Could be the best sex of your life. You never know unless you try,” she says, scanning the crowd for her own prospects — probably to take home herself.
“I highly doubt it.” I roll my eyes and down the rest of my drink. No one I’ve been with here even comes close to the best sex of my life. Not even Roman. “No one tops that.”
After a few more drinks, I’m feeling the buzz. “Let’s dance,” I say, dragging Tasha out of the booth.
On the dance floor, we let loose — swaying and grinding to the soca beats that make me feel alive. It’s been too long since I danced like this. We turn down every interruption, lost in the rhythm for thirty minutes.
“How about a couple? A threesome could be fun,” Tasha says, nodding at a couple grinding nearby. The guy’s cute, but I’m feeling his girlfriend — a blonde, beautiful, but not my type. I haven’t been with another woman since Nari. Nari was the only woman I ever wanted, the kind of desire that rips you apart.
“Looks like they want both of us, but I’m passing on the orgy. Ready to get out of here?” I ask, craving my own bed.
“I’ll leave if we go back to yours and drink wine all night,” she bargains.
“Deal.” I call a car, and within minutes, we’re headed to my new high-rise.
I found this place the day after the breakup, pure luck. I’ve done well — started my interior design company, Roxie Designs, from my tiny apartment. One big client exploded my business. Now I have a team of ten and a waiting list.
We grab my mail in the lobby, then head up. I toss it on the coffee table, kick off my shoes, and grab the wine bottles I’d planned to open. Even if I wasn’t feeling the club at first, tonight’s been exactly what I needed. But there’s no doubt I’m happiest home.
Tasha’s flipping channels, holding a flyer. “What’s that?” I ask, setting her wine down.
“Your high school reunion,” she says, excited. “We should go. It sounds fun.”
“No way,” I say flat. I haven’t been back since I left. Haven’t spoken to my mom in five years. No clue if she still lives there or is chasing the latest guy. I have zero interest in that trip.
“I think you should. Better yet, we should go. Rub your success in that guy’s face — the one who broke your heart. And who better to hype you up than me? I’ll back you up the whole time.”
“That’s not exactly how it went, Tash.” I take a sip, hesitant to spill everything. Talking about them still hurts. What if they hate me now? What if they can’t even look at me?
“Well, you never told me everything,” she says, sipping her wine. “We’ve been best friends for years. It’s okay to tell me where you came from. No judgment.”
She’s right. I haven’t told her much beyond my mommy issues. She has daddy issues she won’t talk about either, so we never pried. We stayed in London after graduation and became family. She’s my sister. I trust her with my life.
“Fine. I wasn’t just involved with one guy,” I start, waiting for her reaction. She just sips her wine, silent.
“Are you gonna tell me, or do I have to drag it out with a million questions?” she says, smirking.
“Okay, pushy as always.” I roll my eyes and pull my freshly cut locs into a bun. They used to reach my ass, but I needed change. “Senior year, I got involved with my tutors. A couple in my year. I ended up fucking them both… together… for months. It was the most amazing sex of my life.”
“So, what happened? Caught feelings?” she asks, topping off our glasses.
“I fell in love with both of them. It felt like we were a relationship — all of us. I loved the possibility of us together long term, but I was scared. Scared of being stuck in that small New Hampshire town, waiting for my mom to come home from her latest trip. When I felt like I couldn’t leave them, I panicked and ruined everything.” I pause, swallowing a lump. “I was dealing with my mom, had plans to leave, and didn’t know if they loved me back or wanted me to stay. So I ran. Broke things off and moved to London.”
A tear escapes, but I wipe it before she sees. Thinking of how I left things with Kai and Nari always hurts.
“When was the last time you heard from them? Are they still together? Where are they now?” she fires questions.
“Who told you what I’m normal?” I giggle. “How many people do you know in love with two people?” Only Tasha could make me laugh when I’m this close to crying. She never judges me — that’s why I love her.
“It’s 2022. People date damn blow-up dolls. Get over yourself and answer,” she says, smiling.
“Last I heard, they got married right after college. Not sure what they’re up to now. I haven’t social media stalked them in a while.” I sigh, pouring another glass. What’s the point?
“Do you still love them?” she asks, serious.
“It’s been 10 years, Tash. Too much time passed. I’m probably not a thought in their heads anymore.” I dodge the question, but deep down, I still think about them every day. That’s probably why I missed Roman’s cheating for so long — I never really moved on.
“You don’t know that. That’s not an answer.” She stands and grabs my laptop. “True love never dies, bitch. We’re going to that reunion. We’ll see if the loves of your life still want you.” Her grin grows as the plan forms.
“Not happening,” I say flat. “There’s no way I can face them after all these years.”
“Come on! Worst case? They turn you down.” She shrugs like that wouldn’t break me. “But then you can say you tried. I know you still love them, even if you won’t admit it. You need to explain why you left — just like you did me. You deserve a happy ending, Rox. And I’m going to help you get it.” She types furiously.
“I don’t think this is a good idea. If you love me, don’t make me go.” I plead. “Would you forgive someone who broke up with you when you weren’t even in a relationship?”
“Flights are booked, sweet cheeks. I’m handling everything. Don’t worry your pretty little head.” She keeps typing, grin bigger than ever. “And I’m doing this because I love you. And I really just love love.”
I down my wine and pour another. The drinks from the club and wine have me buzzing. Now, thanks to Tasha, I have three weeks to figure out how I’m even going to show my face to the couple who stole my heart.
