Love & Deceit

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me-down blouse from Mom. It hangs a bit loose, like most of her clo

. Dad made sure there was always food on the table, and I had this dream of becoming a beautician. He

work," they said. What they didn't say was how they'd use his final paycheck to cove

work nights at the bar. Not exactly what I dreamed of, but it keeps us eating and, mo

late - we're like ships passing in the dark these days. Sometimes I wonder if things will eve

our DJ, and manage a genuine smile. We joke about sharing almost the same nam

r for this job. Mrs. Maggie Lincorn, the owner, has strict rules about looking "presen

celebrity just walked in, which I guess they kind of are around here. They're young, rich, and look lik

everything I'm not: designer clothes, perfect hair, flawless makeup. Sometimes I catch my reflection b

nks to serve and bills to pay. This isn't some fairy tale where a rich prince notices the p

t's her territory, especially when it comes to Declan. "Don't even look their way," sh

hands all over Bonnie while supposedly talking to her, and I feel my stomach turn. It's not jealousy - it's

im," Samson mutters beside me, shaking h

of his playboy reputation. Their friend Henry is different - more selective, maybe

water on my face and stare at my reflection. Sometimes I feel completely invisible here, just an

slam straight into what

[12/28/202

chest. His cologne hits me before I ca

ut his hand catches my arm, and my heart starts

kes my stomach clench. He pulls out hand sanitizer a

states, words slightly sl

say, but he grabs my arm

ing me waste this?" he sneers, then his e

sorry. What mo

el smile that makes my s

k I've misheard him.

and kiss my feet. That's how

them think they own the world, makes them think they can humiliate others for fun. I might be