Mia: Her home Noir Valley
I read the last sentence of this week’s blog one more time as a smile quirks at the corner of my lips. Then, with a satisfactory nod, I hit send and post it to my page. While at college, instead of keeping a diary, I’d come up with this crazy idea to write a blog about my reeducation. Shit, what a dismal fiasco the first few months turned out to be as it gained zero interest. Shit, why would anyone be interested in my dull life when everyone was writing the same thing. Then I’d spiced it up. Turned my dull college life into a hotter mess of fun than it was. I’d given my professors make-overs and personality transplants. Then the readers had come. Slow to begin with. Now, five years later, I have a healthy following of readers and make a pretty damn good living from it. Which is a good job considering as a freelancer for the Noir Valley Gazette, my pay packet sucks. The bedroom door swings open and clatters shut as Poppy strolls in. Her grin wide, and the amber of her eyes sparkle as she settles on the bed.
“Day’s agreed to it,” she said.
I shake my head as my stomach dips. I know I will regret asking, but anything Day has agreed to where Poppy is involved, is anything but a smart idea. With a deep inhale, I shut the laptop down and turn to look at the younger woman. “Agreed to what?”
“The party.”
My eyebrow rises, “what party?”
“A family day at Demon’s Lair.” Poppy points to herself. “And as family. I get to go.”
“You really want to watch Day flirt with the whores.”
Poppy grabs one of my pillows, hugging it close. “I’m a masochist. Anyway, I’ll flirt with Data or one of the prospects.”
I shake my head. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I sure do. I’ve already picked out my outfit.” Poppy frowns as she sits up. Her amber eyes on me. “We need to get you an outfit. As good as you look in jeans and t-shirt. It’s not enough to grab Alex’s attention.”
My stomach dips at the mention of the blond biker. He’s another reason why my blog is popular. “And what makes you think I’m interested in Alex’s attention.”
“Oh. I don’t know.” Poppy rolls her eyes as she swings her legs over the side of the bed. “Maybe it’s the cow eyes you make at him when you think no one’s watching.”
I roll said eyes at the younger woman. “He’s old news. There’s a new guy at the paper. And he’s taking me out for dinner.”
Poppy stops as she reaches the bedroom door and opens it. Her eyes on me as she studies me. “Are you giving up on Alex?”
“There’s nothing to give up. Alex and I were never a thing and never will be.” I look at Poppy. She’s shorter than me and wears her hair in an array of deep rich greens, blues and purples with the occasional slice of deep red. Since knowing her, she’s had a puppy crush on Day. And Data or no Data, I know Poppy hopes Day will see her as a woman. A grip tightens around my heart as I crush down the familiar sweep of longing for a biker forbidden to me. One day, like me, Poppy will come to find out a crush gets you nothing.
“If that’s what you think.” Poppy shrugs as she leaves the room, closing the door behind her and I listen to her footsteps creak down the stairs.
From the bottom drawer of the chest of drawers, I pull out a scrap book, carrying it over to the bed. I open the scrapbook and glance at the photographs. The oldest is five years old. The year I noticed Alex. The year I willingly gave him my virginity. As I turn the pages, most of the photos of Alex are without his tee-shirt on. My fingers linger over the images and I lick my lips. His stomach is flat, well-toned. His blond hair curls at his shoulders. Although he smiles, there is no responding gleam in his blue gaze. His jeans ride low at his hips and my pussy grows wet. The book is full of photographs of Alex. This is not my only collection; I have two more books. Soon I’ll need another one. Shit, if the River Demons saw these, they’d think I was a stalker and Alex would have me locked up. I shake my head. No, I’d never hurt him. If I could, I would take his pain away, but I doubt I’m the woman who will heal him.
When I told Poppy there was a new guy at the paper, it was true. He’s new to Noir Valley, several years older than me, and most importantly, he is not a biker. He’s asked me to show him the sights of Noir Valley. Not that there is much to see. A movie house, a couple of restaurants and the casino. I’ve agreed to show him Noir Valley, but I’ll not take him to the casino where I’ll get to watch Alex with other women. Unlike Poppy, there’s no thrill for me when Alex touches the club whores. I close the scrap book and slip it back into the drawer. As I stand, my gaze lands on the laptop. Next week, I’m breaking up with my virtual boyfriend. I’m over my crush with Alex. I’m ready to go out and taste the real thing. I ignore the twisted ping in my heart as I step into the shower.
When I arrive at the restaurant, Cole Johnson is waiting and has found us a table near the rear of the room, and I wave as I enter. He is tall, and his dark hair is shaved close to his head with a
