City of Sin Read Free Page B

meant to be with."
    "I doubt I'll find him here. Everyone is so unfriendly
here. And rude. Everyone just seems grumpy and like they're on a deadline all
the time. I think they could all use a few weeks off in the suburbs."
    My mom laughed. "You're in the heart of corporate
America. Maybe try to find your dream guy in a different part of town than Wall
Street?"
    "Yeah, that's probably a good idea. I actually have a
date tomorrow."
    "You do?"
    "Yeah. Marie and Carter set me up on a blind date with a
guy they work with."
    "That's wonderful."
    I sighed. "Maybe. I don't think a guy who works in
advertising is a great fit for me."
    "But you work in advertising."
    "No, I work as a secretary at an ad agency. And all the
guys I work with are total pigs."
    My mom laughed. "Well, either way, I'm glad to hear
you're getting back out there. Wait, doesn't Carter work for an ad
agency?"
    "Yeah, but he's different. He's Carter. Marie and him
are perfect together."
    "Maybe this guy tomorrow could be your Carter. They work
together and they're friends."
    "And Carter is also friends with Patrick. I think I
still might come home."
    "I'm not stopping you, Bee. Just don't make any rash
decisions while you're not thinking straight again."
    "I'll try." I pulled my blanket up to my chin
again. "Is it really cold there too?"
    My mom laughed. "I'm only two and a half hours away from
where you are. Of course it's cold here."
    "It feels like I'm on another continent."
    "Maybe I should come up for a visit. I've never gotten
to see your place."
    I looked around the empty room. Patrick had taken all the
furniture except for the mattress and the small table set in the kitchen. I
didn't want my mom to see where I lived. She worried about me enough without
seeing my living conditions. "Soon. I've been slammed at work
recently."
    "Okay. Well, keep me updated if things change. I'd love
to come up for the weekend. Just us girls. I can crash on your couch. It'll be
fun."
    I don't have a couch. "Mhm. That sounds great.
I'll keep you posted. I should probably get some sleep. I have a long day
tomorrow."
    "And a sexy date at night."
    I laughed. "Of course."
    "Call me to tell me all about it. And text me when you
get in tomorrow night. I just want to make sure you're safe."
    "Marie and Carter already promised me that he wasn't a
serial killer."
    "Most serial killers don't go around telling people
they're serial killers."
    "I know. I'll text you."
    "Goodnight, sweetie."
    "Night, Mom."

Chapter 4
    Bee
    I pulled on a pencil skirt and my nicest blouse. Kendra was
right. I needed to pitch my ideas at the meeting today if I ever wanted Mr.
Ellington to really listen to me. Looking nice gave me a boost of confidence. I
slid on a pair of stilettos. Normally I'd wear flats to work. Especially when
it was so cold outside. But today I almost wanted the extra height. As if being
taller somehow made what I had to say in the meeting more believable.
    I looked down at the dress laid out on my bed that I had
picked out for my date later. It was sophisticated. When I met Patrick in
college, I had been wearing cutoff jean shorts and a tank top. I didn't want to
attract another guy like him. Sophisticated was good. I bit my lip. Or maybe I
just didn't even want Mason to like me. I was sabotaging myself.
    I tried to dismiss the thought as I grabbed my winter jacket
and pulled it on. My date wasn't until eight. I'd have time to come back and
pick out another outfit if I wanted. I rushed out of my apartment and down the
stairs. The elevator had been broken for months. I wasn't sure if it was ever
going to be fixed. But I had tackled these stairs in heels before.
    The rush of cold air when I opened the door chilled me to the
bone. It didn't matter what my mom said. Delaware never seemed this cold. Maybe
the wind was stronger, pushing through all the sky rise buildings. I stared at
the ground as I made my way to the subway. If I couldn't see any homeless
people, I couldn't give them the rest