BAD REPUTATION

slowly, "is exa

ed softly.

ong," Olivia admitted. "Very stron

s. Tequi

ugh the heaviness in her ches

Hour. Dress hot. Or comfortable. Or emotio

lightly creased from a full day of viewings. Emotionally

. And

ea

n't sou

ade her throat tighten again.

of si

id firmly, "we fix that

t like it had been lodged in her

way

quite as suffocating anymore. Olivia walked

pretend her heart didn't feel like it was splintering. As she laid her p

mped. She sn

m e

t cutting deeper than she wanted

show up for herself. And maybe, just maybe, forget her troubles with J

was feeling plen

___

ent now. Not lighter - no

eaker, something upbeat enough to drown out intrusive thoughts. Her bed was a mess of discarded outfit options - dresses deemed "too despera

lack boots that gave her height and edge. And the black corset top - structured, una

at herself

ic. She blended until her sadness looked like seduction. A sharp line of eyeliner. Re

looked... hot. Undeniabl

ind of drinking she planned to do tonight. Not with the kind of night she needed. And h

ed up outside The Velvet

ly through the pavement. Laughter spilled out every time the door opened. She paid t

ts. Velvet booths lining the walls. The air smelled fain

aves cascading over her shoulders. Isabella sat opposite her, dark hair sleek and glossy, looking ef

eathed dramatica

oked Olivia up and down. "Liv Carter, ar

ked. "Can't

hter, the sound warm and

illegal,"

trouble," Isa

small bag onto t

a waiter. "Hi, yes," she said

blinked.

t Olivia. "How

ered. "Scale

ur

ac

itate. "We'll ta

nodded and

Isabella said, adj

t little glasses, lime wedges on a small plate

isions," Te

nes," Isabel

s last. "To not t

und, the music felt louder and Olivia felt warmer. Looser. The tight band around her chest had eased.

ime for your Interven

ned and pou

in smoothly. "We postpo

th a lime wedge. "Jack

ed lightly.

s on you c

s bu

ht." Tessa told her, "You said

ng a casual shrug. "Maybe... He needs

oice gentler now but firm.

ivia smiled - calm, composed, and slightly flushed. "He's not that

"You hear yourself,

augh. "We had a fight. I

n why were you so sad when I c

cond. "I was just tired," she said, softer now. "We

as well, but she did

ease. I came out tonight to forget about him. Not