Rediscovering Odette

tty sure she could cook up some story about how I got cramps and suddenly had to leave. I keep moving, and sudd

thing is normal? When I searched for him for months. Even after he left me there that godforsaken night, I searched for him. I went there every day for a whole month. I'd come home drenched i

how-but he didn't. Even when I was studying at the University of Cambridge, he returned a billionaire, and I tried to get a meeting with him-not because I needed a handout, but because I just needed to

inks that's what's

security guard says, dragging me out of my internal turmoil. It's then that I notice a couple of people really g

ay, mortified, and

ghts are on, meaning Amerie is back-or,

e wer

d you r

ook like a dr

ills are paid by writing us a nice check at the end of each month-that you sud

as a certain blondie asking

ions, not even allowing

ike me to answer?"

ng lady. All of t

I right?; so she doesn't get mad; and how am I to know who blondie is or what goes on

ble at it. Plus, you promised to talk about

f I just want to shove it somewhere, never to be s

y yourself in more trauma. So come on, M

about Anton. At first, I get lost in who he once was, in the way he scared off my bullies and valiantly protected me.

consuming rage-I still think about him. I still

her about how he left me. About how he turned me away over and over again. And just when I think

embrace. "Shhh, it's alright, doll face. He's a douche, and you deserve

tomorrow. We're going out tonight," sh

g that?" I ask,

e on, and you need it, babes, aft

to go out," I say

an idea in her head, she never lets it go. It'

ng to wish they never let you go," she says, pushing me into the shower. "Now st

eed a break from my sorrowful life. Plus, I've already said I'm sick at work. I better

a simple outfit, but tonight I want to be wild. I put on the shortest open-back halter-neck silk gown I have. I brush my hair out and pack it up in a m

I'd do you in a heartbeat," Am

too much?" I ask, lo

ila. "Don't even think of saying no, missy. We both know it takes practically a crate of liquor to get you drunk, and we need you to be chill

owning the entir

we miss our Uber," Amerie says as sh

before, and practically walk right in. I'm shocked when sh

eryone in New Y

people," she replies,

hich I down, and we he

this somewhere private?" some drunk g

" I say, edging

for a smoke," I pract

asks, knowing I only

good time with the guy she

armer, but I can still feel myself vibrating. Just as I light the second cig

home without a jacket," an all-too-

ome once again face