Last Heartbreak by H.M. Ward

Author:H.M. Ward [Ward, H.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Laree Bailey Press
Published: 2016-03-07T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 21

I'm living in blissful denial. For this instant, my life is wonderful. I refuse to think about my father or my fulfilling career working to help an asshat become mayor of New York City.

The limo pulls up in front of Graham's apartment building. The exterior is red brick with a black iron fire escape ladder zigzagging its way to the top. Shops and restaurants line this stretch of street. Nestled between a small market and a café is the entrance to his building. Next to those, a dry cleaner and small toy store. I wonder what made Graham choose this location—access to close cleaning facilities or toys.

The limo driver opens the door for Mindy and me, rushing to open the lobby entrance as well. Pedestrians stop to watch our every move—it's not every day they see a limousine in East Harlem.

When I purchased the tickets for the Trystan Scott concert, I suggested Mindy join our group. Graham wanted to meet my friends, and Mindy is the only person I’m comfortable enough with to invite into my secret life.

I press the button that matches the number he gave me. A tiny voice crackles through the speaker. "Hello?"

"Hi, Lori! It's Kia. I'm in the lobby."

"Hi, Kia! Cracker is still getting ready. He's worse than a girl. Come on up." She puts emphasis on the word still, in her overly dramatic way, as if Graham's been prepping for hours.

A buzzing noise lets us know that she's unlocked the lobby door. I climb the stairs as fast as I can in my knee-high combat boots and torn skinny jeans. I've dressed for comfort. Mindy takes things slower in six-inch heels and a scandalously short skirt.

Today is the first time I've ever visited this kind of apartment complex. It's plain but clean, with gray industrial carpeting on the floor and fluorescent lighting overhead. Also, it's so, so small. In the space allotted to an upper-class weekend flat, they managed to fit eight families. How can they live in such tiny spaces?

When we reach their floor, Lori is waiting in the open door. She jumps into my arms for a huge bear hug and the scent of her fills my head—strawberries and cream. It must be her shampoo. I smile and put her down.

"Hi, Sweet Cheeks. Where's Graham?"

She's so cute. She's wearing an I Love Trystan Scott t-shirt she clearly made herself, spelling his name all wrong and adding hearts and stars with glitter paint, and pink leggings that match her sneakers. "He's still in the shower. Wow, Kia! You look beautiful—like a vampire hunter. I hope I'm pretty like you when I'm old."

I smile at her, stifling a laugh at her comment. She's nine. Of course, mid-twenties would be old to her. I introduce her to Mindy, but she seems less than interested in talking to a kid.

Lori bounces up and down tugging on my hand. "Hey, Kia! Want me to show you around? I can show you my room."

"Sure. Mindy, you coming?"

Mindy turns around and plops down on the couch in front of her.

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