The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 31 Sacrifice at me. Fortunately, | survived gym class without any other inconvenience.

“You know, Chip, Nicole did a wonderful job for my house. Maybe she can do wonders for your pub,” | said, helping Nicole redeem herself. Cristos eyedwarily. | raised an eyebrow 1 at him, daring him to challenge me. He knew we needed to get on her good side so she'd talk.

Cristos rolled his eyes, finally agreeing to a ceasefire. “Oh yeah? | want to see your house.

then. If | like what I see, I'll hire her.” “Really?!” Nicole squealed. “Oh my gosh! | have so many ideas for this place!” “Don’t get ahead of yourself, honey” Cristos said, going behind the bar. “I need to see Virtue’s house first before | make my decision. And | don’t want anything fancy. | want to keep the hardwood floors, but | do want to update the front bar, the bar top, back bar and under bar and include light installations and maybe oak panels on the walls. Once that’s done, I'll need furniture that matches the interior.” “| can get the construction done for you,” a familiar voice said behind me. | turned and found Noah. “I can show you my portfotomorrow and take measurements. We can change this bart ice dark granite or quartz depending on your budget or you can go for a finish.” rything in my store,” Sebastian said. “Why don’t all of you cby tomorrow Dom, we live in the shouse. Can't you just showpictures so | don’t have to wake up so early? You know | get hlater than the rest of you.” “Yes | do know, but your establishment doesn’t need to open early in the morning like the rest of us, Chip,” Sebastian said, yawning. “And no, | don’t have a catalog at home. Since you and Virtue are hiring the scontractor, it'll be more efficient for Noah, if all three of you cat the stand did your shopping.

Virtue wants her store to open in two weeks, but if you have construction done at the stime, it'll bump Virtue’s opening to a later date. What | suggest, Chip, is do your shopping tomorrow, have Noah start construction on your new bar with the necessary materpog, so when he’s free, he can install everything without- having to eat up Virtue’s tframe. As for the walls, Stanley, Bo and | can help with that.” “Hold up. I'm too busy to install wall panels,” Xavier argued. “The grocery store is open everyday which doesn’t givea holiday. P-plus, | just promised Virtue, I'd help her set up her store. Right, Virtue?” My eyes darted instantly to his as he wiggledinto their 2/5 13:31 Mon, Mar 25 M CHAPTER 31 Sacrifice argument and | saw his puppy dog eyes begging at me.

“Yes, he did actually,” | confirmed, winking at Xavier. “Since I'm borrowing Bo for my store, | can offer you my services instead.” “Ah, no, Virtue. We'll be fine without you,” Sebastian remarked, knowing | was bad with construction. | was the one who botched up the painting job at our hin Calabasas. | could draw my own designs, but | couldn’t paint a wall... go figure.

“Wow, you sound like Virtue here is bad with construction,” Lisa muttered, noticing the of Sebastian's voice. She was a bit drunk, having started since happy hour.

tone “Look at her hands, Lisa,” Sebastian said, placing my hand in his. | felt that familiar tingling sensation whenever we touched. “These are hands that have never held a tool before. Not even a trowel for gardening.” He caressed the back of my hand gently, then turned it to show my palm. He ran his index finger along the length of palm, tickling my skin. | instantly felt that familiar warm longing erupt between my legs.

Sebastian's lips curved into a knowing smile. He placed my hand back onto the bar top, his touch lingering on my skin. | sighed dreamily. Oh, how | missed them....

“Don’t listen to him, Virtue,” Cristos exclaimed. It's my bar. You can cand destroy anything you want! Ill just have to bill you.” Everyone laughed. Now this was fun. But | could tell the others were tired and needed to get ssleep.

“Well, | have to go home. | have an early day tomorrow. What about you, Bo? You coming or will you be staying longer?” “I'm coming with you. | need to be at the grocery store early for the deliveries,” Xavier answered.

“How about you, Nicole? Do you needto drive you home?” Sebastian offered. He was always the gentleman.

“I'm fine, Dom. Dan promised to drivehome, Nicole replied.

“Well then, I'll see you all tomorrow,” Sebastian said and noticed Noah had a glass of scotch in his hands. “Noah, aren't you driving?” “Virtue and | will be walking home,” he answered.

“Oh no, you aren't. My bestfriend isn’t going to walk. Don’t worry, I'll drive them home, 3/5 CHAPTER 31 Sacrifice Dom, Cristos said.

“Alright, then. Good night and drive safely. Nicole... Lisa... Sebastian patted both of them on the back.

| waved good-bye at Xavier. | caught the longing in his eyes as he glanced back atbefore. leaving the pub and | felt my heart constrict in my chest. | didn’t expect pretending not to know them would be difficult. Anyway, when construction starts for my boutique, I'll be able to spend more twith him.

Noah sat at the now vacant seat besidewhile Nicole returned to Liam's group.

“Finally, she’s gone, Lisa said and sat straight in her chair.

“I thought you were already drunk, | murmured while | watched her order a new round from Cristos.

“Me? Drunk? Not even close,” Lisa said. “But since Chip here has offered to drive the two of you home, you can join me. Chip, bourbon for me, beer for Noah and get your bestfriend a new bottle of wine. On me.” Nicole | took a seat beside Dan and watched as Lisa, Virtue and Noah toasted to their new friendship. | heaved a sigh.

Abigail used to be by my side all the tin high school, but things suddenly changed after the spring formal during our junior year. She began avoiding us, focusing instead on school and the SAT's.

| wasn’t used to being alone, so during our senior year, | brought in Lisa to be part of our inner circle. Anyway, | owed her for helpinglure Joy Taylor into the boy’s gym room. Joy Taylor wouldn't have cso willingly, if it weren't for Lisa. | knew she and her were friends even though Lisa would bad mouth her towhenever we spoke.

We never mentioned Joy Taylor's nall throughout our senior year, hoping the past wouldn't catch up to our present. When we graduated high school, Lisa was accepted to Northwestern University and since her family had money, she was fortunate to leave the state.

Liam, Cris and | went to neighboring Bismarck to finish school while Dan went to Univeristy of North Dakota and Jack stayed in New Salem to attend community college.

4/5 828 CHAPTER 31 Sacrifice During the Christmas of our sophomore year in college, Lisa chfor the holidays and we were all shocked to see she had blossomed into a beautiful woman. Cris, who Lisa had a high school crush on, immediately began dating her. After we graduated, Cris proposed to Lisa, asking her to be by his side as he started his political career.

Lisa went into real estate while | opened my interior design business. | had thought everything was fine between us, until one night during Liam and Cris’ victory party, Lisa becso drunk, she bitc hed about getting her involved in the Joy Taylor scandal.

*Joy was my friend, Nicole,” she said, while we were both outside of the venue, trying to get sair. “She didn’t deserve that. Actually, no woman deserves to be treated that way. You should have toldwhat they had planned. | could have probably prevented them from hurting her that way.” | rushed towards her and slapped her in the face. “I would like to remind you we are at your husband's victory party. Or have you forgotten Cris was one of the boys implicated in Joy Taylor's assault? | grabbed her shoulders and made her lookstraight in the eyes. “Lisa, remember what | told you... keep your mouth shut and your head down or someone will cknocking on your parents’ doorstep. You won't like what happens next. Now, get a grip.

love Cris and your parents, you'll make the sacrifice.” Liam’s voice suddenly interrupted my thoughts, “I need to talk to you. There's thing | need you to do for me.” nodded my head meekly and glanced at Virtue and Lisa at the bar.

| should have stayed with them.

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