Cruel Fortune (Cruel #2)(23)

“Olivia,” the bookseller said softly, “there’s a line.”

“I know. I have to use the restroom. Just…give me a minute.”

Before she could say another word, I stood up and darted out of the room.

“Was there…someone standing here?” I asked the woman at the top of the stairs.

“Oh. Hmm…yes. A man just left.”

My feet took off before she even finished.

I wasn’t crazy.

He was here.

He was here.

He was here.

I ran down the stairs and through the bookstore, ignoring the puzzled looks of the customers and employees. Then, I was out on the sidewalk without a jacket in my sleeveless dress. But I hardly felt the cold.

I looked left and right. Desperate to catch a glimpse of the dark hair or a shock of baby-blue eyes. A man in a suit with his hands stuffed in his pockets. A look of contemplation on his face as he found me.

But there was no one.

It could have been anyone in that doorway.

I’d just hoped…

I thought I’d squashed all hope long ago.

Penn Kensington wasn’t going to come and sweep me off my feet. He’d tried a year ago, and I’d rebuffed him. Now, my brain kept envisioning him running down here to make everything right. A sick, twisted fantasy that would never come true. Because he could never make it all right. I didn’t even know if I really wanted him to.

But, until this moment, I hadn’t even known I’d wanted to see him.

And I couldn’t seem to fight away the disappointment that I did.

And he hadn’t shown up.





Natalie





10





“I still cannot believe that the publisher was able to get us tickets to Hamilton,” Amy said giddily as we stood outside of Richard Rodgers Theatre in Midtown.

“Pretty kick-ass perk if I do say so myself.”

“Tell me about it.”

We had our tickets scanned and then entered the theater. I was finally in the room where it happened. My inner nerd was squealing with delight. After the weird feeling I’d gotten at the bookstore earlier this afternoon, I needed this. Just me and Amy and Alexander Hamilton.

We found our seats in the orchestra level and spent the next couple of minutes taking pictures together. Amy disappeared to get us drinks while I waited anxiously for the curtain. I fiddled with my phone, scrolling through my Olivia page on Crew.

Suddenly, my phone started buzzing, and Jane’s name flashed on the screen.

“Hello?” I asked uncertainly.

I hadn’t thought that Jane would actually reach out to me. I’d thought she was just being nice the other day at the party.

“Natalie, darling! It’s Jane.”

“Hey, Jane. How are you?”

“Lovely as always. I was about to walk into dinner with an investor for my little pet project. But I know this incredible martini bar that has the best bartenders in the city. I want to steal them all away. And I thought you should come with me. My treat for celebrating your fabulous book release.”

“Oh, well, I’m in Hamilton right now with my friend Amy.” I glanced around, hoping that Amy would show up any moment and help me make the decision about this.

“More, the merrier. I’ll text you the deets.”

“Thanks. I’ll have to see if we can make it.”

Jane’s laugh was soft and raspy. “You won’t want to miss this place. I have to walk in for dinner now. See you later, darling.” She made a kissy noise and then hung up.

I stared down at my phone in confusion. Jane Devney was a bit of a force of nature. She was seeing an investor? For what? So bizarre. And now, she wanted me to meet her for martinis? I did not understand her one bit.

“What’s that face?” Amy asked. She passed me a clear plastic cup of red wine.

“Jane Devney asked us to go out for martinis after this.”

“Oh, I’ve been meaning to tell you that Enzo invited me to this art bar in SoHo with some friends. They’re showcasing a new talent.”

“That sounds like you.”

“But I can cancel if you want me to come with.”

“No, you’re head over heels for Enzo. Plus, that sounds like it’d be good for business, too.”

“I’m head over heels for his dick. Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves.”

I laughed as the lights flickered overhead, announcing the start of the show. Everyone hustled to their seats, the lights dimmed, and the curtain rose. Showtime.



Three hours later, I brushed tears from my eyes as I rose to my feet for a standing ovation. Amy and I barely had words as we stepped out of the theater and back into reality. It felt too surreal to even be here when I felt like I was still living that moment.

“I just…” Amy murmured.

“Yeah.”

“Life-changing.”

“Genius.”

Amy shook her head. “I can’t believe I’m leaving you after that experience.”

I laughed. “Go have fun. Just make our flight in the morning.”

Amy kissed my cheek. “You’re the best.”

She grabbed the first cab that stopped for her and was off to SoHo for the night. I pulled out my phone and had a message from Jane with an address for the martini bar, Tilted Glass. I stared down at the message and shrugged. This was going to be interesting.