Page 13
“Okay, enough about Daisy’s untouchable boss. We’re here to talk about this.” Willow nods toward the envelope, and I grimace.
“I hope it’s not another picture of his dick,” I say softly.
Elodie’s hand, reaching for the envelope, freezes midair. “Why would you say that?”
“Because I received one this afternoon. I think he believes I was with him because of his dick and the service it provided.” My hands cover my face, muffling my groan, as I remember the picture that ruined my mood and day.
“Were you?” Violet asks in a squeaky voice.
“If the service was to sleep on top of me as soon as he finished, then yeah, he was on top of his game.”
My friends shudder, mirroring my emotions.
“I sometimes wonder what the heck it was that made me stay with him for so long.” My eyes fall shut until Willow nudges the envelope against my arm on the table.
“Open it. This is the last time we waste our precious moments talking about that loser, Jax. I’ll make sure he doesn’t make me his messenger pigeon again.”
“Me too.” Violet throws her lavender-dyed hair over her shoulder, while Elodie nods animatedly.
Looking at the supportive smiles of my friends, I take a deep breath.
What the hell? Why am I embarrassed? It should be him.
“Okay. Let’s finally tear away Jax’s name from my life’s book once and for all, even if it means staring at his stupid dick pic one last time. Be prepared,” I announce, ripping open the envelope and spilling its contents onto the table.
“Eww.” There’s a collective sound of disgust from all four of us.
I was only partly right. There isn’t just one, but several pictures taken at different states of undress. I should have just thrown the envelope into the fireplace.
“Did he really think he’d win you back with this?” Elodie points, her finger a good distance away from the picture where Jax is sporting a neon pink brief with sparkles all over.
“What does he think I’d do with these?”
“I know the perfect thing we can do!” Violet throws her hand up in the air. “A cleansing ceremony. Burn the pics and stop this jerk-boyfriend curse that’s been hanging around you.”
I groan. “You really need to stop reading nonsense, Vi.”
“What’s the harm? You’re going to throw these away anyway, right? Or do you have a secret Jax box where you are collecting his things?”
“Please. I’ve seen enough.” I grab the pics, hide them back in the envelope, and sanitize my hands with my pocket sanitizer.
“Then let’s do it.” Violet rises from her seat and informs the waitress that we’ll be back soon.
That’s how the four of us find ourselves outside the back door, next to a large trash can.
“Crap! I forgot we need fire,” Violet exclaims, looking around for assistance.
“Great! My jerk-boyfriend purging ceremony is off to an amazing start. Maybe even God doesn’t want me to get rid of them. Let’s just throw them into the trash.”
“Stop being so dramatic, Daze.” Willow opens the sling bag dangling from her tattooed arm before producing a dollar store lighter. When we look at her in surprise, she replies with a grin, “I’ve got all sorts of things for emergencies at the inn. Lighter, candles, sewing kit, you name it. It also comes in handy for surprising others.”
“Now, girls, focus. Take out the cringiest picture, Daisy.” Violet nods toward the envelope in my hand.
“Can we not just burn the entire thing at once and be done with it?” I’ll do anything to skip Vi’s theatrics, especially when I’m at the center of it all. Plus, she’s just getting started.
“Be done with it? This is important, Daze. You clearly don’t believe in this power, and I’ll happily make you a convert tonight. But, girls, you all need to trust this process before we start. So, do you all trust this process?”
“Yes. We trust the process, Vi,” we three reply in unison. I’m sure Elodie and Willow just want to get back inside too.