Brutally Beautiful(35)

Fran just waved us away, as he dove into an intense conversation with a seemingly already intoxicated Jeremy about the degradation of our ozone layer and how without its protection, we would all fry up like little eggs on a hot stove. Then he proceeded to list off all the Organohalogen compounds that we use daily, and which ones were the worst global environmental pollutants for our beloved layer of ozone.

Yes, I think I rather stay in the bathroom with Morgan, instead of listening to his next debate with himself. Masterdebation. He should go tweet that.

Once inside the bathroom, she slumped against the wall and covered her face, “Please. Please don’t say anything to Jeremy. I know how bad I look, but he’s never home, always away on business, and God, I mean have you seen Kade Grayson? He’s a perfect specimen of a man.”

I giggled next to her. “Yeah, a perfect sociopath. Don’t worry, I won’t say anything and I’m no one to judge.” I opened my purse, took out my lip-gloss, and dabbed a bit on my lips. “How long have you been married?”

“I’ve been imprisoned for fourteen years,” she laughed. “Married me right out of high school and promised me the world. He’s got loads of money and I live in the lap of luxury, but it’s a lonely world.” She lathered her own lips with a bright fire engine red lipstick, which I would never have the courage to wear. “So how about you and Francis?”

“We’ve only been on a few dates. I’m not looking for anything serious, and he’s way too serious,” I answered.

“Kade seemed really taken by you last night. His eyes were on you all night. He hardly ate his food.”

“Grayson is an ass,” I stated.

“He’s so damaged and dark. Intense. I think I like the danger of it,” she said softly.

“Oh, I can definitely see him as one of those dangerous bad ass types,” I laughed.

She gave me a measured stare and giggled, “Don’t knock the alpha male types, they’re delicious.”

“Oh sure,” I laughed. “There is nothing wrong with bad boys, unless you have self-esteem and confidence. Then you’re f*cked, and you’re smart enough to know you’re f*cked. I know, because I’ve fallen down that dark hole before.”

“Yeah, but, I’ve always loved those dangerous damaged men. I wonder why, you know?”

“Daddy issues?” I laughed at my reflection in the mirror, “Mine was mommy issues, really.” I glanced over at Morgan who was sniffing and staring down at her hands. I nudged her and smiled. “I think the truth is that we are in love with the fantasy of being that one person who could inspire, arouse, or affect someone who is so untouchable to the rest of the world. It makes us feel special; like we’re the diamond in the rough, the one in a million, the one that everyone else couldn’t be, and do what everyone else couldn’t do. Imagine being that significant to someone? To never have to doubt that he loves you, or needs you, or more importantly, wants you more than any other.”

“I totally agree with you,” a strange small voice said from behind me.

“Yeah, me too. I’d give a limb to feel like that,” said another voice.

Lifting my eyes to the mirror, I noticed the group of women behind me, nodding their heads in agreement. I smiled at all of them; we were all striving for that same desire, weren’t we?

“The question is,” a tall, older brunette began, “is that a reality? Does love like that, desire and passions like that exist?”

Morgan shook her head next to me, “I don’t think so. If it does, I’ve never felt it.”