Free Forbidden Attraction (Forbidden Trilogy) by S.R. Watson Page A

him for brunch since I’m leaving early tomorrow morning, but I’ll be free after that since he’s working late.”
    “Perfect! Let’s plan to start our marathon at three o’clock.”
     

     
    BY THE AFTERNOON, Bailey and Meghan have joined us for our impromptu Nikita marathon on Netflix. We order pizza and pour the pinot grigio that the girls brought with them. Between episodes, I find time to text Grayson. I’m sorry I got drunk and he had to rescue me from the party. I’m sorry my self-esteem led me to care about the show Liam was putting on. I don’t tell him all these things though so I text the only thing I can.
    Me: I am sorry.
     
    I wait in vain for a reply, but there is none. Several hours have passed and we’re ready to call it a night. Meghan gathers her purse and keys to leave, but Bailey decides to crash on our sofa. I make my way to my room and pull out a tank top and boy shorts before getting in the shower. I lay my head against the cool travertine and let my tears blend with the streaming hot water. It has been a month since my breakup with Liam and I’m still allowing him to ruin my life, and my self-esteem. He still has the ability to get under my skin. It’s like I didn’t know him at all. This is not who I fell in love with. Grayson never responded to my text so I can assume that ship has sailed. Liam wins again. I finish my shower and head to bed. Tomorrow is a new day and with it comes an opportunity to pull myself up by my bootstraps and get on with life. Liam and I are over; it’s time to realize that and decide what my next step is. Step one: focus on school ... fuck love!
     
    I wake up to Bailey hopping in my bed. “Get up lazy bones. Are you trying to sleep the day away?” she asks. “I’ve already dropped Jordan off at the airport and you’re still in the bed.”
    I grab my phone; it’s only nine. I also notice I have no missed messages. Grayson never responded. “I’m sleeping in. I don’t have anywhere I need to be.”
    “Great, then you can come condo hunting with me. Jordan was going with me, but she can’t now. It’ll be fun. We can make a day of it. We’ll grab lunch and tonight we’ll hit that karaoke bar you like,” she rambles.
    “You mean you want to leave your parents’ kingdom? They would have to pry me away with a stick,” I joke.
    “Nah. I want my own place and my mother has agreed to pay for it as long as I’m in school.”
    “Must be nice. Okay, let me get dress.” Maybe hanging out with Bailey is just what I need to forget about Liam and Grayson. Jordan is out of town and I need the distraction. Since we are condo hunting and going out for lunch I don’t want to look like a slob next to her. I choose a pair of dark blue skinny jeans, a white London top, and dress it up with black pumps, a grey scarf, and shades. I normally wear my thick hair in a messy bun, but today I leave it wild and untamed in a mess of thick red waves. Bailey nods her approval when she sees me.
    “You look hot,” she whistles. “Come on, I need to pick up the realtor info from Vanessa and change too.”
    I flinch at the mention of Vanessa’s name, but quickly recover. She is not my competition if Grayson doesn’t want me. I grab my purse and we head to Bailey’s Range Rover.
    “So what’s the story between your brother and Vanessa?” I try to sound as though I’m asking out of mere curiosity.
    “They’ve been on and off for quite some time. It’s hard to explain their relationship. They both seem to enjoy doing their own thing now, but they remain friends. I know our parents would like to see them end up together.” She eyes me suspiciously. “Why? Are you interested in my brother?”
    “Oh no. Don’t be silly. He’s sexy enough, but he’s not my type,” I lie. “Besides, I just got out of a relationship. I only asked because I saw him with Meredith at the club when I thought he was with Vanessa.”
    “I hate to say it, but my brother is a major