Little Black Book by Tabatha Vargo, Melissa Andrea Page A

of our things are there. It’s perfect, Kyle.”
    “But how?”
    “A friend of mine is helping us out until I get on my feet.”
    “Pretty nice friend,” he shrugged.
    Thankfully, the subject was dropped and once we got to our place and he saw how fabulous it was, I didn’t think he cared about the hows or whys.
    That night I slept in my bed , in a secure place, surrounded by all my things. My hair was damp from soaking in a hot bath all night and my body felt more relaxed than it had in years.

Eleven
    Rosslyn
     
     
    “Do these jeans make my ass look fat?” Trish asked. She was turning in the mirror, trying to see her back.
    “No,” I said absently, staring out of the store into the rest of the Manhattan mall.
    Wome n wrapped in expensive everything and carrying purses with pooches inside, chatted as they walked by.
    A girl’s day with Trish was exactly what I needed. Anything that got my mind of f of the crazy mess my life was becoming.
    “Fuck. I guess I’ll get a small er size then.”
    She stripped down not caring who saw her in just her panties. It was then I realized what she’d said.
    “Wait. Are you saying you want a pair of jeans to make your ass look fat?” I asked confused.
    “Yes. My ass is flat. I need something to perk it up.” She reached down, grabbing her bottom and lift ed it.
    “ Oh my God, Trish. You’re so deranged.”
    Eleven pairs of jeans later, and she finally found a pair that she was happy with.
    Next, we stopped at yet another clothing store, where I sat for another hour and watched her try on clothes. Anything was better than sitting at the condo watching TV all day.
    “Oh my God, you should try this on.” Trish said from my side. “This would look amazing on your with your red hair.”
    I looked over to find her holding up green top. It was beautiful with a scoop neckline.
    “I don’t have the money to buy any new clothes right now,” I giggled.
    “Oh come on. You have to at least try it on.” Shoving it into my arms, she pushed me into the dressing room.
    I sighed loudly , before pulling my T-shirt over my head and slipping the green shirt on. The fabric felt like butter and it fit perfectly. I turned in the mirror admiring how nice it looked on me. Grabbing the tag that was dangling from the arm, I looked down at the expensive price tag.
    “Come out. Let me see what it looks like,” Trish called out on the other side of the door.
    Opening the door, I stepped out and adjusted the shirt.
    “See? I told you it would look amazing on you. Do you love it?”
    I smiled and made a tiny turn. “I think I do.”
    After promising Trish I’d save and buy the shirt another day, we finally left the store and headed to the food court.
    “So what exactly happened at Clive’s?” she asked, sucking at her Starbucks cup.
    The food court around us bustled with laughter and voices. I reached down and plucked at a fry on my tray.
    “Nothing really,” I shrugged.
    Trish tilted her head to the side and looked at me like I was full of it, which I totally was.
    “Don’t give me that shit. Stacy, the pretty waitress with the nose ring, said she saw Sebastian talking to you personally. He never does that.” She took another sip. “So what did he say?”
    I debated whether or not telling her was a good idea. I’d known Trish a while and never had she been one to tell secrets. But then again, I’d never really had any juicy secrets to tell. She worked at Clive’s and she was bound to let it slip at some point. The thought of it getting back to Sebastian that I was talking about him didn’t scare me, but it wasn’t something I wanted to happen.
    “Really. Nothing happened. He just told me nicely that the job wasn’t for me and sent me on my way.” I was lying. I hated lying and it wasn’t something I did often, but it was necessary.
    Trish didn’t know where I was staying. She was too caught up in her life to even ask, which was fine by me. Usually I’d be ticked off by