I refused as hard as I could. Told them I was just a waitress, that pouring drinks with customers wasn't part of my job.
One of the men tossed a stack of cash onto the table. He said if I could finish every bottle on it, the fifteen thousand dollars was mine.
Nolan happened to be short exactly fifteen thousand on a project.
I looked at the man's face, at the ugly intention behind his smile, and I gritted my teeth, picked up the first bottle, and drained it.
Then a second. A third. A fourth. After a while I lost count.
All I remember is that when I finished the last one, I collapsed straight onto the floor.
When I came to, my clothes were disheveled and I was lying on a couch with a man's suit jacket draped over me.
Nolan had come to pick me up after my shift. He saw the scene and went rigid.
I forced the corners of my mouth into something like a smile, then picked up the fifteen thousand from the table and held it out to him.：
“Here. Now you don't have to worry about the money.”
I paused, tugging at the suit jacket on my shoulders.：
“But if you want to break up, I understand.”
Nolan rushed over and pulled me into his arms, choking on his words.：
“Gusta, I promise, I'd never hold this against you. I will never betray you, not in this lifetime. I'm going to give you a good life.”
Those words were still sharp in my memory. But it turned out he'd held it against me all along.
I closed my eyes. My body was so weak I nearly blacked out where I stood.
Nolan watched me and a flicker of regret crossed his face. He knew he'd gone too far.
He started toward me, but Lisa suddenly bolted for the door.：
“I shouldn't be here. I'm disgusting to you both.”
Nolan ran after her and caught her arm.：
“Lisa, what are you talking about? You're the purest girl in the world. No one compares to you.”
I watched him cradle Lisa against his chest, all that aching protectiveness on full display. Then I turned my head away and dragged myself up off the ground.
It didn't matter anymore. Tomorrow it would all be over. I was going to find the man who owned that black suit jacket.
I hauled my body back to the bedroom, and the moment I tried to sit down, the door swung open.
Nolan stood in the doorway, brow knotted tight.：
“Augusta, fine, maybe what I said earlier was harsh. But I already told you, the ceremony was just a gesture for Lisa. I'm still signing the marriage license with you tomorrow. Can you stop being so dramatic?”
I looked up at him. My voice was calm.：
“I already said, I'm not……”
He waved his hand and cut me off.：
“Enough. There's a pool party tonight. Lisa doesn't know many people and her English isn't great. Go help her make introductions.”
He walked out before I could say a word.
I took a deep breath. Fine. I was leaving tomorrow. I wasn't going to fight him over this.
At the party that night, Nolan paraded Lisa around, introducing her to everyone with barely contained excitement.
And I stood behind them, listening to the whispers, as though I were the other woman.
I slipped into the restroom, splashed water on my face, then took out my phone and sent a message.：
“Tomorrow. The courthouse. Don't forget.”
The reply came instantly.：
“Of course.”
I steadied my breathing and was about to step out when the click of heels approached from outside.：
“Nolan's such an idiot. He's completely wrapped around my finger. When the time comes, I'm going to bleed him dry.”
The restroom door swung open and Lisa and I locked eyes.
I grabbed her arm.：
“Who the hell are you?”
Her gaze darted toward the door. Then she raised her hand and slapped herself hard across the face.：
“Please, I no steal Mr. James. Please, you no do this.”
She clutched her cheek and broke into sobs.
A figure appeared between us and wrenched my hand away.
