19
Wednesday arrived with a black envelope on the doormat.
Lana sliced it open with a knife and pulled out the matching card with golden cursive script.
You are cordially invited to attend
Verto Veneri
Friday, 25 August, 8 p.m.
Oh. My. God.
She wasn’t ready for this.
It was too soon after her recent experience.
Rory had pulled an all-nighter on Monday night, after drinks with Zac, he weighed in at 2 a.m. in the morning, but last night, he didn’t bother to come home at all.
The perks of owning a workshop and employing several mechanics meant the start times were optional as long as someone else was there to pick up the slack.
Rory used to party hard when they first dated, but as time went on and they settled into a relationship, he came home from work more often than he went out.
Lately, he began to rekindle his partying ways. Lana texted him while she waited for the bus to work.
Lana:
Hey – another invitation to Verto for this Friday!
Aren’t they supposed to be monthly?????
There was no reply. She knew his routine by now.
He had probably crashed on Zac’s sofa in a drink coma, to return to the land of the living by noon.
The bus sped up the motorway, giving Lana time to muddle over the invitation. Could she really go back to The Fitz and pretend she wanted to hook up with another man—that wasn’t Marcus?
Her pulse raced. Marcus would be there. In his office. Wearing that sexy sin suit. Tingles rushed down her spine with delicious wonder.
She reprimanded herself for the excitement coursing through her veins when she played out a naughty daydream with the mysterious Mr. McGrath as the leading male.
A shiver ran through her.
Ugh! She needed to stay away from his dominant temptation. It wasn’t fair on Rory.
No matter what feelings were blooming within her, she couldn’t cheat on her boyfriend, even if it would be hidden under the shady terms of a swingers club.
The fact was, she lusted after Marcus, way more than she should. Something told her the intrigued growing out of control would lead to her downfall.
The man she fantasied about every night had the power to excite and thrill with just one look… and then ruin her.
With the new night in Verto Veneri looming, she left work early to visit her Janice, in the beauty salon.
While she packed away her stationary, to prevent Magpie Marty from stealing it, Amanda clip-clopped down the room.
“I haven’t had a chance to talk to you yet, Lana Craig. I’ve been stuck in meetings.” Amanda watched Lana locked her cabinet with narrowed eyes. “Where do you think you’re going?” She plopped her spiral notebook on the desk.
“I’m taking a half day. I have an appointment with the beautician.” Lana only half lied.