self-restraint had always been one of her strengths; saying “no” came as easily as a blink—especially when it came to joanna or anyone else, for that matter. maybe it was the lingering grief of widowhood clouding her judgment. or maybe it was the raw hatred she felt for the other woman, the one now carrying the same last name as the woman who had was occupying her bed. whatever the reason, the solution to her loneliness had presented itself on a silver platter and she had taken every piece willingly. gigi stayed silent as the older woman stirred from her sleep, a headache creeping in with each passing second. “then get your ass out of this bed and get it on your way out!" she whispered, her voice tinged with panic, trying not to think about how many people had likely seen the unmistakable car parked out front. she pressed her hands to her temples, her auburn hair falling wild and disheveled from what had once been an orderly updo. groaning at the words joanna had just spoken, she fought the urge to roll her eyes. “we have to move." her tone was flat as she scanned the room, trying to figure out the best next step. pulling the sheets tighter around her, she made a makeshift robe and slowly rose from the bed before moving toward the window, peering outside to see if a crowd had already started to gather, though she didn’t care how melodramatic the situation seemed—especially with carlene as her neighbor. “if you leave now, you can beat the morning traffic to chur- oh lord above, church!” eyes widening before moving quickly back to the mattress and hurling her face into the pillow. 

index gently traces the circumference of champagne flute as she surveys the room. she's smiled and nodded at more men than she ever hoped to speak with in one night. roderick seems to be enjoying himself - parading around with posse, filled with boisterous laughter and eyes that wander to each cocktail waitress. that's her own doing really, hiring a brigade of long-lashed svelte servers. she knew he'd try to stick his dick in anything that moved. now as gaze lands upon the guest of honor and his lovely wife, you realize the apples had rotted next to one another where they fell from the tree. she stalks closer, hovering and listening, awaiting a break in conversation to intrude. ❝ are the boys boring you yet ? ❞ it's spoken just loud enough for @andimpulsive to hear. ❝ i was thinking, there's this new restaurant on park that i've been dying to try, why don't you join me tomorrow while the boys finish up their business ? ❞ ... unprompted.

you’d think that after weeks of the same parties, the same gatherings—only this time with a new set of faces—someone would suggest a change of pace. a shift in scenery, perhaps. but not her husband. no, joseph was consumed with the need to shake every hand in the room, as though his very survival hinged on it. the world spun on, relentless and familiar, but at least one thing remained constant: the alcohol. and, for once, the host seemed to be putting some thought into the selection. and then, like a breath of fresh air cutting through the heavy fog, a woman's voice sliced through the testosterone-fueled chatter. the redhead’s eyes lifted, drawn to @madusher, a glint of intrigue and amusement flashing in her gaze. “ they always do, " she replied, her tone both proud and unyielding, unfazed by the playful jabs and mock hurt that followed. “ that sounds lovely. I hear the holiday lights are up. " she smirked, rising to her feet, smoothing her dress as she closed the distance between them, eager to escape the cloying cloud of cologne. “ it’s a date. "