Friday is the conclusion of Episode 1!
Charisse had crashed out early on her bed, exhausted but unable to get to sleep. When she heard keys in the apartment door, she sat up and slipped off the mattress. Marie hardly ever brought her dates back to their apartment, but she couldn’t imagine the night was already over.
She cracked her door open and peered out into the living area.
“It’s safe, Charisse,” said Marie. “I didn’t bring the asshole home.”
Charisse opened her door and padded out on the thick beige carpet. For a moment she was glad they hadn’t hit it off. Then she got angry that he treated her sister badly. “What happened?”
Marie dropped onto the couch, kicked her heels off and set her feet on the coffee table. “Your assessment of men in suits is turning out to be truer and truer.”
Charisse sat down on the couch with one knee pressed to her chest. “I’m sorry. What are you going to do?”
“You mean who am I going to do.”
“Marie!” Charisse blushed and pushed Marie’s shoulder.
“I’m serious. Rich men are leaving me cold lately.”
“So date a starving artist or someone not so rich. You have plenty of money.”
“Whatever people say, men don’t like women who have more money than they do. It’s the natural state of things.”
Marie looked worn out, not just from a bad date, but from years of dating men she ultimately never liked.
“Take a break for a while.”
“I probably should. But what about you? It’s been a year.”
Charisse turned away and hugged both knees to her chest. Even though she’d imagined herself with Conor, the suggestion of actually dating again made her gut twist and churn the stir-fry she’d eaten earlier.
“I can’t.”
Marie put a hand on her shoulder. For all that Marie took her for granted with hairdos and manicures, she had her moments of sisterly sympathy. “You’re not hung up on money like I am. There’s a whole world of men out there for you.”
Charisse shook her head and blinked fast. The pain from the past could still overwhelm her. She saw herself on the hospital bed with blood pumping back into her veins. “I can’t imagine ever trusting anyone again. I almost died.”
Marie sighed and leaned over to kiss the top of her head. “Time for some Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility?”
Charisse couldn’t answer. She was too wrapped up in the past.
“Pride and Prejudice it is then. I know how you love Darcy.”
Charisse managed a small smile. Darcy was a rat bastard who turned out to be a knight in shining armor. She wished the real world could be that way.
Today through Friday, Corporate Fire is free on Kindle! Please read it! And I would love a review!
Evelyn Aster 