Wild Nights With My Brother's Ex-Best Friend novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

NICOLE

Right before I drift off to sleep, my phone vibrates under my pillow.

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I assume it’s Mason. Sometimes, he’ll send me reels on Instagram at the strangest hours. He confessed to me once that he has a hard time falling asleep because when Ma died, he had been asleep, and I tried to call him for a couple of hours and he wouldn’t pick up. So, every time he tries to drift off to sleep, he’ll think about that moment when he missed her taking her last breath.

It’s not my brother, though.

It’s Roman.

I miss you, says his text. I want to see you.

Was he really being serious about what he said? Is he determined to ‘chase’ me until I give in? I hate how the thought fills me with excitement even though I know that this will probably amount to nothing.

I send back a, No.

Come on, Nikki.

Stop. I said no.

After a second thought, I send another text saying, This was the last time.

Sure, is what he texts back.

A scoff escapes my lips and then my heart practically jumps out of my mouth when my phone starts vibrating because of an incoming call. Esmeralda. I answer without a second thought and press the phone to my ear. “Yeah?”

“You didn’t look okay. We didn’t have a chance to talk alone.”

“I’m fine,” I assure her as flashes of the evening pass through my mind. “I’m just going through some stuff. You know what it is.”

When did I become such a liar?

“You looked a mess!” Esmeralda exclaims. “You don’t seriously think that I’ll believe you’re fine?”

I run a hand down my face. “Okay, maybe I’m not fine. I didn’t really want to be there, Esmeralda. I went there for you.”

She sighs and sounds guilty when she utters, “I know. I’m so sorry, Nikki. I should’ve been more mindful about what I was putting you through. It’s bullshit, I know.”

“Don’t beat yourself up about it.”

15:14 Wed, Oct 22

Chapter 17

“I will.”

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I chuckle and she adds, “The good news is that Garith expressed some interest in you.” I can tell by the sound of her voice that she’s smiling. “Armand told me. He thinks you’re beautiful and he’d be really glad if the two of you spent some time together.”

I give my head a shake and sit up because this is just one of the craziest things I’ve ever heard in my life. “What? But I barely talked to him.”

“You could always have another chance to get to know each other better.”

“What’s Armand? A pimp? No, Esmeralda. I told you. I don’t—” I want to say get involved with men in committed relationships, but I swallow my words. I’m in no position to say anything about that right now. “I don’t want to get to know him. Frankly, he scared me a little bit.”

“Right?” she agrees. “He’s kind of scary, but apparently, he’s really generous with the women he’s seeing. Honestly, Nicole, you could do with the extra help. I mean, it’s no big deal. Just prepare to see him like twice a week, maybe more during the first month because you’ll be his shiny new toy, and you’ll get whatever you want. Bills paid. Flights booked. Whatever you want.”

“Why’s that not tempting at all?”

“Because you’re a fucking idiot, that’s why,” she says almost angrily. “Come on. Why not?”

“What you’re proposing just doesn’t work for me, Esmeralda. I told you that. Look, I have to be at the office tomorrow morning to finish planning the event.”

My best friend sighs. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I just know you need the help and this is all I can do for you.”

“I’ll be fine. I promise. Good night, okay?”

I lie back down on my pillow and reflect. It’s honestly never crossed my mind to get a sugar daddy or a sponsor or whatever they’re truly called. Usually, I’m not a lustful creature, but Roman brings out something in me that’s feral and not at all like me.

If it weren’t for the huge crush I had on him for most of my life, I doubt I’d ever get involved with him. I find it extremely difficult to get involved with people I don’t have feelings for.

With Roman, things are just different.

It’s not about the money. Never was, and never will be.

I’m at the office by nine. I slept like a baby (I won’t even mention why), so I feel fresh, optimistic, and ready to face the day ahead of me even if it isn’t promising.

Everything seems to be going well before I hear a knock on my door. I automatically know it’s bullshit, because Haley would never have knocked, and nobody ever shows up here.

Slowly, I make my way to the door. I don’t want to open it right away, so I ask, “Who is it?”

15:14 Wed, Oct 22

Chapter 17

“Delivery,” replies the monotonous, masculine voice on the other side of the door.

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Curiously, I turn the handle, and I find myself staring at a tall, lanky guy holding a magnificent bouquet of red roses. I’m so enchanted by them that I accept them from him right away without even asking who they’re

from.

“Sign here, please.”

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