Hired Love

Over the next few days, Stacy successfully managed to avoid Grace. She'd ignored text messages and refused to call back. Even when Grace had come to her apartment and almost knocked down her door, she hadn't budged. She could just imagine how the conversation would go: "You fell in love with my cousin? What is wrong with you?"

She sighed, turning off the ignition. Her life was going in an entirely different direction than she intended. She rested her head on the steering wheel, closing her eyes. Whenever her phone beeped, she practically flew to check if it was him. She wanted to call, longed to know if he was alright but wouldn't that make her seem desperate?

Disappointed always flooded her afterwards which usually led to crying episodes that lasted for a ridiculous amount of time.

She'd focused all her energy and anger into her work, pouring all her emotions into what she knew she was good at. It yielded little to no progress, instead leaving her angry and miserable ninety percent of the time.

Her phone started ringing again and she resisted the urge to grab it. Her curiosity got the better of her and she reached for her phone in her bag. Grabbing the device, she rolled her eyes. Grace wouldn't stop calling. Fuck it. Why the hell was she running like she'd committed some heinous crime? It was exhausting. She hesitated for a second before wiping at the screen.

"Grace"

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" were the first words she heard. She held the phone away from her ear, wincing at the screeching sound. When she rested the phone back at her ear, Grace was still screaming. "-been ignoring me? I've been calling you! What the fuck happened at your parent's? Your phone was switched off for a fucking week and when you finally switch it on, you refuse to pick my calls?!" Grace massaged her forehead. "Grace, please. I've had the worst week. I beg you, stop yelling."

"I'm coming over. Keep the door open or I swear I'll break your face."

The line went dead. Stacy sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. She opens the car door, stepping out. Everything seemed like such a drag.

She couldn't stop thinking about Roman. What was he doing now? How was her feeling? Did he think about her as she did about him? Or was he going about his day like the past week hadn't happened? God, she was running mad. She was trying so hard to keep her mind from exploding, trying to keep her demons in check. He was everywhere. His smile, his touch, his voice, he was fucking everywhere. She stepped out of the elevator on her apartment floor, searching for her keys in her handbag. Finding them, she opened the door and stepped in, leaving the door unlocked. Grace would find her way in. What she needed was a hot meal and a soak in the hot tub. She dropped her bag on the dinner table, strolling to the kitchen. She still had some leftovers lasagna in the fridge, so she settled for reheating it. While the food got ready, she went to her room to take off her clothes after heating the hot tub. When she turned, she caught sight of her naked body in her full-length dressing mirror. The image of Roman's hand roaming around her body appeared in her mind and she closed her eyes, imagining him holding her breasts and kneading her nipples.

Her eyes snapped open. It was never going to happen again because she was never going to see him again. He'd made his choice and it hadn't been her.

Grabbing her robe from her wardrobe, she threw on the thick furry material, enjoying the warmth it created.

After switching off the microwave and pouring herself a glass of wine, she headed to the bathroom for a bath. There, she soaked her body in the heated water, feeling the stress of the day rolling off her body.

She closed her eyes, sipping her wine. God, she hated Claire so much. She'd ruined her life in just a matter of minutes. Not only had she made her look like a fool in front of their family, but she'd also made her look like an idiot in front of Roman. She desperately wished she was an only child.

"Stacy," The harsh tone made her yelp in surprise, her eyes snapping open.

"What the fuck, Grace," She held her free hand to her chest, sighing deeply. "You scared the shit out of me."

Grace threw her bag off her shoulder and to the ground, sitting on the side of the tub. "Why have you been ignoring me, Stacy? What happened?

She threw her head back, kept her eyes shut. She'd decided she wasn't going to say anything to Grace. If Roman cared enough, he might tell her someday, but she wasn't going to say anything. It was better that way. "I know what happened."

She groaned. "Get the fuck out, Grace."

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"I spoke to Roman after I didn't hear from you."

"Are you deaf or something?" She opened her eyes, then immediately looked away. She recognized that look Grace wore. It was the same look Benedict had given her when Claire had fucked everything up for her. It was the look of pity. Grace's concern was so loud. "I'm your best friend, Stace. I'd never judge you. Ever. I know things didn't exactly turn out like you planned but there's nothing bad about it. Talk to me, please."

Grace had been her best friend since freshman year of college. They'd survived through the throes of University together and came out alive. They'd battled through life as partners, redefining the meaning of friendship. If anyone had her back, it was Grace.

She let go of her inhibitions, choosing to succumb to the voice that was telling her to just... be. "I fell for him, stupidly and badly. It didn't make sense then and it still doesn't make sense now, but I did. And it blew up in my face."

Grace was silent. She kept her eyes on Stacy, but Stacy knew she was miles away. "So what are you going to do now? Give up?"

Stacy shrugged a shoulder slightly. "What can I do, Grace? He was pretty clear. Love isn't on his to-do list."

"Then make it."