Modern Girl's Guide to One-Night Stands (6 page)

God, Luke really was an asshole. Why had it taken her so long to notice?

A soft electronic chime sounded as she entered the store, and Julia was greeted by a slim, well-dressed woman before she was even past the security readers.

“Good afternoon. Is there something I can help you find? Our summer collection is out and we have some stunning peasant dresses from designer Paul Lupo.”

She loved Lupo’s bold colors and simple lines. She was here to splurge, just not that much.

“I need to pick up another bottle of Serenity lotion. Do you still keep it in the back?”

“Yes. Right this way.” The saleswoman showed her to the back of the store, visibly disappointed because Julia wasn’t the big commission she was hoping for. "Just let me know if you need me to start a dressing room for you.”

The insanely expensive Serenity lotion was one indulgence she still allowed herself. There was something about the fresh, simple smell of vanilla with just the hint of sandalwood that made her feel sexy. At eighty dollars a bottle, Julia used it sparingly. She’d managed to keep her last bottle around for two months, but yesterday she scraped out the last bit.

Julia glanced longingly at the display of bright summer dresses and sighed. She was determined to live off her teaching salary alone and keep the trust fund she had from her father’s estate untouched, and designer dresses weren’t in her budget. But a pricey bottle of lotion was a splurge she could live with. Checking over the display of Serenity bath products, she noticed some new items, and she spent a
few
moments testing samples and checking new scents. But as usual, Julia decided to stick with her favorite. She went to the register, but before the salesgirl could help her, another woman came out of the dressing room and snared the poor girl.

“None of those will do,” the woman said, shoving a mound of rejected dresses at the clerk. “I liked the red skirt, but find me another top. The print you picked is horrid."

From the sounds of it, this was going to take a while. Julia hoped the woman would let her check out before sending the salesclerk all over the store. But it wasn’t likely. Julia was well acquainted with her type. She was straight out of central casting: rich and privileged; expecting the world to cater to her every desire.

She turned around and tried to catch a glimpse of the woman, and was shocked to see Luke sitting in one of the dressing room chairs texting while a tall blond was pointing to the racks of peasant dresses.

It had been just a matter of time before she’d run into Luke, but she hadn’t been prepared to see him with another woman. She set the bottle on the counter and turned to make a speedy exit when the other salesclerk stepped in front of her.

“Is this all you need today?”

Luke looked up from his phone and their eyes met.
Well, fuck.
So much for escaping unnoticed. She turned back to the clerk and fished out her credit card.

“That’s all. Thanks.” Julia ducked her head low and counted the seconds as the clerk wrapped the glass bottle and placed it in a bag.

“$93.17,” she announced.

Julia waved the card in her direction, willing the woman to move faster. If she could just get her package and go, that would be great.

The clerk swiped the card. Then swiped it again. “Claudette, the reader isn’t picking up the cards again. What am I supposed to do?”

The woman helping Luke’s busty blond excused herself and came over to the register. They quietly conferred over the equipment while Julia stood there holding her breath. Maybe he didn’t want to speak with her. He didn’t call once after their breakup. Maybe the sight of her made him just as uncomfortable.

“Julia?”

So much for that theory. Julia took several deep breaths, plastered a big smile on her face, and turned around. “Luke.”

“I thought that was you. You’re looking well. I was hoping to hear from you soon. We haven’t spoken in ages.”

Five and a half months to be exact, not that she was counting. “No, we haven’t,” she said coolly.

“You look well,” he said as he looked her over head to toe. “You remember Kitty McCormick. She’s Bridget’s sister.” He introduced the blond.

Yes, Julia remembered the woman. Kitty was one of “The Pack,” as Megan deemed them. They were a group of society women who controlled the social calendar of Chicago. One of the women from that small clique was involved with every political gala, social gathering, and fundraising event within seventy miles of Chicago.

She turned and plastered a smile on her face. “Julia Hopkins, nice to see you again.” She’d introduced herself purely out of years of forced edict from her grandmother. It would have been a pleasure to ignore the woman and just leave the store.

“Hmm. Hopkins. That sounds familiar. Are you from the east coast?”

Kitty knew exactly who Julia was. It was just her underhanded way to point out that she wasn’t part of their social class anymore.

Family names were the way society women classified each other. With just a last name and location she’d be able to categorize Julia in one of three boxes: a peer, a better, or someone not worth her time. Julia was done playing those games, and she didn’t bite.

“No,” was all Julia said, and turned back to Luke, dismissing Kitty outright. “To be honest, I’m surprised to see you in Chicago. How was your move to London?”

Luke chuckled, as though they’d just shared a private joke. “Well, like most things in business, it was a bit more complicated that we initially thought. There were some issues with the winning bid for the new hub. The company didn't have all the permits for what we needed, so we’re
back
to bidding out the contracts. I’m going to be at the Chicago office for a little while longer.”

Luke spent the next few minutes detailing the problems he’d been having, as if she cared. Julia smiled and nodded, all the while eying the women working the register.

“Poor Lu and his business problems,” Kitty said and looped her arm through Luke’s.

He cringed, before returning his features to normal. Julia wondered if his reaction was due to her physical contact or the use of a pet name. Having known him for years, Julia would bet it was the name.

“When I heard he was back in town, I thought it was just my luck,” Kitty went on, even though no one was paying her any attention. “I asked him to escort me to the Widows and Orphans fundraiser this Memorial weekend. Since he’s unattached now.”

Her not-so-subtle jab hurt. Julia didn’t know how Luke had spun their broken engagement. She didn’t read the society page or have any contact with people who ran in that circle, outside of Megan. But even though she was a senator's daughter, Megan could care less about that world. It was one of the many reasons Julia loved her.

“I apologize for the inconvenience,” the clerk said after she finally reset the computer and handed Julia her card back.

She almost hugged the woman for her interruption. “It wasn’t a problem,” Julia assured her. She shoved the card back in her purse and grabbed her purchase. "It was nice talking with you Luke. Kitty.” She turned and left the shop, but much to her horror, Luke followed her out the door.

“Julia, wait.” He reached out and grabbed her arm before she could hail a cab. “You are coming to the fundraiser, right?" he asked.

“No,” Julia said with a laugh. Outside of the fact she didn’t have an invitation, that was his world not hers, and she had no desire to go back there. "I can’t make it.”

He must have guessed she wasn’t on the invitation list, because he pulled out his wallet. “I have an extra. Please come. I know how much you loved these type of events.” He shoved the ticket in her direction. “I’d love to see you there.”

She shook her head and sighed. “Luke, I hated those events. I went because you asked me to attend, and I liked that the money went to charity. I don’t want your ticket.” She pushed his hand back and turned toward the road looking for a cab.

“I know you’re still mad. But I think this separation was good for us. It’s given us both time to think about our relationship. Things just haven't been the same without you. Maybe if you come to the fundraiser, we could spend some time together. Reconnect.” He smiled, his deep dimples showing.

She used to love those dimples, but now they only reminded her of just how charming he was—with all the women. “Luke, we’re not separated. I broke off the engagement. Did you even read the letter I left? How can you even think I’d take you back after what you did?”

All the anger and hurt she’d dealt with these last few months came back in a flood. She should have torn him a new one, but instead, Julia took the coward’s way out. She took a deep breath as a taxi pulled to the curb, and made a decision.

“I appreciate the offer, but when I said I couldn’t make it, I meant I was going to be out of town. I’m spending my summer break with a friend. I leave on Friday."

“Oh,” he said and shoved the ticket back in his pocket. “Well, have a safe trip. Perhaps we can talk when you get back."

“Goodbye, Luke.”

Julia slipped into the back of the taxi and collapsed on the seat. The driver asked for her destination, but Julia ignored the question, silently watching Luke go back inside. She saw him through the plate-glass window, trying to soothe Kitty’s obvious anger. She’d been worried about running into him all this time. But after seeing him, Julia realized she was done with that life for good.

She turned back to the driver and gave him the address to the school. After they’d pulled into traffic, Julia dialed Megan.

“Talk dirty to me.”

“Can’t you answer the phone like a normal person?”

“I love it when you get all prissy on me,” Megan laughed. “What can I do for you? I’m hip-deep in grading, and then I need to start packing.”

“That’s kind of why I called. You didn’t rent out that room at the lake, did you?”

The last few months had been tough. Simon had always known that integrating the two companies wouldn’t be easy, but he never imagined the headaches they’d face. The Parker Agency’s entire process was completely different from theirs and trying to get the two teams to work together on mixed-media marketing packages was proving to be impossible.

For all their success, Millennial Marketing was their own worst enemy. When they’d started the internet-based marketing firm, Peter and he had searched out dynamic, enthusiastic staff who were passionate about the potential for online marketing. And it was some of those same people he was having problems with now. He couldn’t get his staff to buy into the concept that print marketing was still valid. And the people from the Parker Agency were in revolt against their internet-focused marketing plans.

Fuck.
He felt like he was an elementary school teacher trying to prevent playground squabbles, not the CEO of one of the fastest-growing marketing firms in North America.

Simon’s cell phone rang, pulling him out of his pity party, and when he picked up his tone was just as sour as his thoughts. “What?”

The irritated voice of his younger sister, Megan, sounded through his earpiece. “Gosh, I miss you too, big brother.”

“Sorry, Meg. I’m in the middle of something. What do you need?”

“God, now you sound like Dad. ‘I’m in the middle of something,’” she said in a gruff, mocking voice. “Can’t I just call to chat with my favorite brother?”

Simon sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. Christ, he needed a haircut. He’d put it on his never-ending To Do list, but doubted it would happen anytime soon. These days he was lucky if he remembered to eat. “Sorry, sweetie. Of course you can call me. What's on your mind?”

“Well since the Memorial Day holiday is
coming up
, I thought you and Peter might like to
come
out to the lake with me. I’m going to be staying there for most of the summer and thought we could give the old house a proper opening.”

“I’d love to, really, but with this merger, I can’t get away. Even with the holiday. But I promise to be there for the Fourth as always."

“Simon. It’s just one weekend. I know your office is going to be closed. Please. You remember my friend who was staying with me? The one who dumped her awful fiancé? Well she’s going to be staying with me and I thought, maybe…”