Page 31 (1/2)

"You could never be little if you tried"

She’d met Isabelle MacKenzie at a party in upstate New York, and they’d immediately bonded Like two halves of a whole, they were both on the search to forget the past, bury their pain, and exploit every pleasure They’d gotten their tattoos together, coether, and traveled with only a backpack to places young girls should avoid Izzy was her soul sister, fellow mischief maker, and best friend in the world

Unfortunately, when Izzy had gotten hooked on drugs, their friendship had become strained, but Raven was there to not only push her into rehab but hold her when she finally broke Izzy had a twin sister, but there’d been a falling-out, so she’d turned to Raven to help get her life back on track Izzy was doing well now, living in Verily, New York, with her sister and working at the local ency, Kinnections She’d also met a hot cop who seemed to be her perfect match Izzy was finally happy, clean, and sober, and they’d both stopped chasing disaster around every corner

They’d finally grown up

"I’ stupid and they’ll print it and no one will come back to the restaurant," Raven admitted

Izzy see stupid, it would probably have the opposite effect It will go viral, and everyone ant to co that stupid"

Raven laughed and shook her head "You’re probably right ILiaet to know each other Anyone I should be ?"

Raven hesitated "Maybe"

"You don’t want to tell yet?"

She blew out a breath "He’s been doing work on the bar for , and we have a crazy connection"

"Problem?"

"His mother is the one who ran off with my father His name is Dalton Pierce"

Shocked silence settled over the line Izzy whistled "U enough word for this"

"I know"

"How do you feel about hi to avoid her friend’s probing "I’m not ready to explore it yet I think it may be better to stay away"

"Did you tell hio away Maybe it’s just a passing sexual connection and when he ain"

"Or er than you think and you’re htened "Stop throwing the therapy stuff on me You know it freaksand life philosophy can’t be untaught I’ll stop pushing Keep me updated--I’m here if you want to talk more"

"Thanks I think I hear the camera crew outside"

"Go Good luck Peace out"

"Peace out"

She clicked off, pushing Izzy’s words to the back of her brain No ti moment was about to arrive, and she wanted to focus on every detail

Hours later, Raven locked up the bar, a silly grin tugging at her lips She’d rocked the interview The photographers loved the bar and had taken a bunch of pictures, and the reporter was super cool and chill Al had joined theround, not afraid to tell the truth about his prison stint, and had even whipped up a few of his choice appetizers for the crew The feature would appear in the Septeet a blurb on the cover

They dubbed her the "Cocktail Queen" Though it was a bit e, she adreat at drawing in istered a text She picked it up

How did it go?