When I was twenty, I had my life all mapped out. I was going to open my own book publishing business and get married and have kids. I never thought I’d end up single, friendless and an editorial assistant.
This week was supposed to be fun. Kate and I planned to fly to Cairns for a joint birthday celebration — but I guess that’s cancelled now. Maybe I’ll go by myself and meet a hot guy who I’ll have a fling with. A girl can dream.
My thoughts circled to my one true love — Troy. We were high school sweethearts and never would have broken up if we hadn’t gone to different colleges, on opposite sides of the country. I remembered him as if it were yesterday. And I missed him. He’s my never — the person who I should have ended up with, the one who shakes your soul, but timing was never right.
With endless possibilities for my solo vacation, I packed my bags and was on the next available flight to Cairns.
I stowed my carry-on in the overhead compartment and settled into my seat. Cairns, here I come! I thought. Two weeks of sun, sand and Kerouac. I tugged The Town and the City from my handbag and flicked to the marked page.
My mother was the first person I called when I landed.
“Monique,” she said. “How was your flight?”
“It’s was okay,” I said. “Couldn’t wait to have my feet on solid ground again.”
“This thing with you and Kate, it’s silly. Are you willing to let a little lie get between the two of you?”
My face crumpled at the thought of the friendship being over. “I don’t know, Ma. And it was a pretty big lie.”
“So what? It’s silly!”
My finger punched the END CALL button. Now I needed a drink. Everyone I’d confided in thought I was being childish, irrational — but I couldn’t stand liars.
I stalked over to retrieve my luggage and then located the airport bar, hauling myself onto a stool.
The bartender floated over. “What can I getcha?”
“Whiskey,” I grumbled.
He appraised me and then arched an eyebrow.
“What?” I said. “Girls can’t drink hard liquor?”
He poured me a shot, lips stretching into a lop-sided grin.
“Thanks.” I flicked a stray peanut off the counter. Now that I was here, I just wanted to relax and forget about my crappy life for two weeks, if that were possible.
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RENÉE SWANN
Renée Swann is a full-time writer who lives in Sydney, Australia, with a crazy pooch named Abbey and a boisterous, somersaulting rescue budgie named Kaleb. Her days are spent living in her fictional worlds and consuming way too much caffeine. She has an (unhealthy?) obsession with all things cupcake- and coffee-related plus Kerouac and YA dystopia/fantasy books. Renée can often be found surrounded by books, marathoning crime shows and munching on vegan goodies, on Twitter, Pinterest, or dancing in a rainstorm.
Renée Swann is a pen name for Renée Shearer, who also writes young adult fiction as C.J. Hart.
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SCRATCH (Corporate Hitman Book 2) Page 16
