Chapter 0041
“He put you to bed?” Nan asked, and I could hear the smile in her voice.
“In the most nonsexual way possible,” I told her. “I was still fully clothed.”
“Ouch,” she murmured.
“What am I going to do, Nan? I made a complete fool of myself in front of a Lycan.”
“You were drunk. You can’t blame yourself for something you did while drunk. I’m sure Gavin Landry will understand,” she assured me, trying to sound confident, but I could tell she was uncertain too. “Besides, it’s not like you’re trying to impress the Lycan.”
I chewed the inside of my cheek and internally groaned. I couldn’t tell her that Gavin was my boss and that I did need to impress him—to keep my job.
“I suppose,” I murmured. She could hear the uncertainty in my tone, and she sighed.
“We don’t have school today. Do you have tutoring?” she asked.
“No,” I told her. “Thankfully, it’s my day off.”
“Good! We need a girls’ day. Let’s go into the city and do some shopping.”
I rolled my eyes.
“I don’t have shopping money, Nan,” I reminded her.
“Then let’s window shop and get some dinner,” she suggested. “I have to pick up a few things anyway, and I could use some company. Please… I miss you, and I want to hang out.”
“You saw me yesterday,” I chuckled.
“It’s not the same, and you know it,” she muttered. “I want to hang out outside of school.”
“Okay,” I relented. “Let’s hang out today. Let me just get dressed.”
“I’ll pick you up in an hour!”
The hour flew by quickly. By the time I finished getting dressed, Nan was already pulling into the driveway. I grabbed my purse, slung it over my shoulder, and quickly ran out to greet her.
She was smiling from the driver’s seat when I slid into the passenger’s side.
“How’s your mom doing?” she asked as she pulled away from the house and headed toward the city.
“The same as she’s been since my father was taken away,” I confessed. “I think she’s majorly depressed, and I don’t know what to do about it.”
“Isn’t your father her true mate?” she asked.
I nodded, biting my lip.
“Yes,” I answered. “I don’t blame her for being upset. I just wish there was something I could do to help her.”
“I’m sorry you guys have to go through that,” Nan said with a frown.
After a brief silence, we decided to change the subject to something lighter. It didn’t take long to reach the city. Nan already had an idea of the stores she wanted to visit.
“So, what exactly are we shopping for?” I asked as we exited the car and walked through the busy streets.
“My sister’s birthday is next month, and she’s throwing this huge party in a penthouse,” she explained. “I need something to wear for the event. Plus, I need to find her a birthday present—something she’d really like.”
Nan’s older sister, Natalia—better known as Talia—loved all things luxurious. As a fashion model, it made sense. She was practically an icon and owned several homes, including a penthouse in the heart of the city.
For the most part, Nan and Talia got along, but I could always tell Nan was envious of her. Talia always got what she wanted.
“We should find an outfit for you too because I need you to come with me to the party,” Nan said, looping her arm through mine as she led me toward a boutique.
I frowned.
“I told you—I don’t have shopping money,” I reminded her.
“This is really important to me, Judy,” she said with a pout.
“And my father getting out of prison is important to me, Nan,” I told her firmly. “I need to prioritize, and buying a trendy outfit is not a priority.”
She opened her mouth to argue but quickly closed it as soon as she saw who was walking out of the boutique.
“Judy, is that you?”
Irene smiled brightly as she made her way toward us.
Oh, hell.
