CHAPTER ONE
It's like night and day. When I first moved in with Lucian, I was so afraid that something would go horribly wrong. Something always goes wrong with us. But things have been going eerily well. Better than eerily well, even.
While Lucian didn't finish his interior design contract with Environ Design, he had no qualms about me working on completing it in my spare time. I was concerned that one of the reasons why he hadn't finished it was because he wasn't ready to let go of his parents' things, but he didn't seem to mind at all as the movers carefully wrapped and boxed up everything. He said he was ready for a fresh start—ready to begin his new life with me. He even let me pack the pictures of his wife and son that seemed to be an ever-present fixture in the master bedroom, but those ended up in the closet instead of in storage.
Far be it from me to deny him access to his past life. I know he loved them both dearly. In truth, I would have let him keep them up as long as he needed to, but I'm kind of glad he let me take them down. The moment they were gone is when it truly felt like he was mine, and I couldn't help but smile at the thought of replacing all of those pictures with images of us.
That's not the only thing that's been going well though. Lucian made good on his promise to bring more clientele to Environ Design. His influence alone has had business booming, and since he told every client that he recommended Derrick and me specifically, the word bonus has been coming up a lot more frequently. Hell, I'm beginning to think that Derrick loves Lucian more than I do at this point. He's always making some quirky comment about how Lucian is the best thing that ever happened to us.
“The best thing that ever happened to me ,” I correct him with a smile.
“No. The best thing that ever happened to us.” He shakes his head. “That guy is like a money tree. If you ever break up with him, I'll shank you.”
I burst out laughing, knowing that he's not serious. It's nice that he doesn't hate my boyfriend anymore though.
“Well, I certainly hope we don't break up. We're both really invested at this point.” I click through the furniture website I've been browsing, looking for a bedroom suite for the home of one of Lucian's movie star patients.
Since we've been getting higher profile clientele, Tyra has expanded the list of furniture stores that we purchase from. It's kind of neat to just look at the furniture. A lot of it is custom made one-of-a-kind pieces. Gorgeous wood with flawless carvings. And expensive as heck too.
Derrick sits behind me in his chair, looking over my shoulder and loudly munching on a bag of chips. I cringe at the sound since he's chewing right in my ear.
“Don't you have work to do?” I quirk an eyebrow though I know he can't see it.
“I'm taking a break.” He shoves another chip in his mouth. “I'm not used to having so much work. It's kind of exhausting.”
“I know, but kind of fun too.” I tip my head to the side, trying to clue him in that he's annoying me.
“Have you talked to Janice lately?”
“No.” My mood instantly takes a nosedive.
It's been close to a month since I last saw Janice. I sucked up my pride and tried to go over to talk to her once, but she had moved. Thankfully, Lucian made arrangements with the apartment complex to pay off the remainder of our lease so that it wouldn't screw our credit. I knew when I left that Janice wouldn't be able to afford the rent on her own. It was part of my revenge to leave her hanging. But I had honestly thought she would just bring someone in to take over my half of the rent. I guess I was wrong.
“What about you? Have you spoken to her lately?” I ask hesitantly.
“Nope. I haven't heard hide nor hair. She hasn't been answering my phone calls. I think she unfriended me by association.” I can hear the sarcasm in his voice, but I know he's offended.
“She'll come around,” I
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