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Chapter One

Jessica

Dresses coths, as far as I'th, and take-th Mine is soh I don't intend to entice anyone to buy me a drink, much less take me home

Old habit, I suppose

I lean forward to the cabbie and say, "Mayfair, please"

He nods, s at me and Dani, my roommate, in the rearview mirror Dani pulls a bit at her own dress, as if desperately trying to er Her skirt is definitely take-th She looks as uncomfortable in it as she hen she first tried it on, but she insisted on wearing it That's what college girls wear, she said, with an enthusiasorgeous on her, though, contrasting beautifully with her dark, very short bob

I stare out the , nostalgic about o Ifrom Stanford I have loved this city to pieces since the first time I was here Two months later,to think it never will I love everything about it: froht moody weather There is no reason to dislike London

Well, ht noever, Dani's next words force me to do just that

"I hope Parker isn't there already He doesn't like it when I'm late"

I turn to her slowly "Parker is joining us at the bar tonight?" I ask

"Yes" She blushes furiously "Sorry, Jessforgot to tell you"

I sigh, leaning back in my seat I haven’t seen Parker in a while, but I know I can’t avoid hio when he was in the US, working with Dani's brother, James I think my reaction when I first saw him is best summed up by the word stunned I can think of a fewidiot The last part became obvious only after I was around him several times

I straighten up e enter the bar, pushing h the decor is minimalist, with a dozen or so low tables surrounded by couches, the place has a far ant feel than I expected All the tables are occupied, except the one right next to the bar Dani says she'll join o to the bathroom I stop at the bar and order a cocktail—a mojito—then proceed to the table and sluers on the dark leather beneath me I s the first sip, close my eyes, and savor theoneself on the back from time to time should be mandatory, especially when there's no one else around to do it Achieve music and tequila shots But a mojito in a quiet, fancy bar will do as well I suppose this is how responsible people celebrate Which is exactly what I' to be I have the job I want at a modern art and history , being independent at twenty-two I' responsible part