The Consumed Series

FROM: BLADE 7:23 P.M.Hey babe can't make dinner.Going out with the boys. Don't wait up. X-I clench my phone in my fist and slide my teeth together. Great, just great. Opening my black handbag, I toss the phone inside and glance around the room, a defeated exhale on my lips. I blink, my eyes stinging with frustration. Pooling tears threaten to liquify my mascara as thick humiliation seeps through my veins. I hate him. I hate him so much. "Excuse me, ma'am. Are you ready to order?" I startle, my attention snapping to the young waiter at my side. He taps his pen against his notepad with his long, slender fingers, his impatience a symphony echoing in my ears. I blink at him, trying to pinpoint why his boyish face, crooked nose, and long, blond hair looks so familiar-oh. Dread hurtles through me, its sharp tendrils burrowing deep in my chest. I've seen him before. He's the waiter assigned to my table every time Blade has stood me up at this God-forsaken restaurant.I must look patheti

I pull up outside Dad's gym and lift myself high enough out of the driver's seat to check my reflection in the mirror. Usually, I'm well put together when I go to the gym. This morning, however, I look like death warmed up. My lids are heavy with exhaustion and my skin is an odd shade of pale.I spent more time trying to pinpoint the exact moment Blade turned into an astronomical douche than I should have last night. Of course, I couldn't. It's as if he woke up one morning and decided I was no longer worth his time, respect, or love. I replayed our relationship over and over and I kept coming back to the same question. If I'm such a terrible girlfriend, why didn't he leave me sooner? I guess I'll never know.Sighing, I fluff my long, high pony, lean across, and pull my gym bag off the passenger seat. After my workout, I'll need to shower and get dressed for work-which is the last thing I want to do on a day like today. Unfortunately for me, I've already taken too many days off this yea

I sit at work typing names and taking calls, like the good little receptionist I'm paid to be. I'm smiling, being polite, and doing everything I should as the first point of contact for the psychology business my boss, Mason, is running here. Deep down, however, I'm scowling. I hate my job. I used to enjoy the work, but I've been glancing around the same spacious, sterile waiting room for the last two years and I'm over it. I should quit and find something more fulfilling, but I'm put off by the thought of Mason's negative reaction to my resignation.I hope one day I can do something different with my life, like writing love stories or children's books. Of course, my mother doesn't consider writing an actual career, neither does Blade. When I brought it up with him, he snorted and said, "Reading sucks."Since when does reading suck? If I ran the world, people who didn't read would be the first to go. Boom. Put them out of their misery.I pick up an entered patient information form and

Tingles pulse in waves, heightening every nerve in my body. They dance up my spine, wrapping themselves around each vertebra until they reach my hairline at the top of my neck. I stare at his full lips, lips that look like they were expertly molded to give the most perfect kisses and deliver the naughtiest promises. They curve slightly, a teasing smirk, daring me to acknowledge him.Why would I? We don't know each other. We're not friends. I avert my gaze to the menu beside me and pluck it from its holder. Opening it, I pull it up to cover my burning face and buy myself a few seconds to catch my breath. What are the odds of him being here at the same time I am? Please, for the love of God, don't let him come over here. I barely manage to control my racing heart when two long, thick fingers curl around the top of the menu. Oh, no. Blood drains from my face and pools in the deep pit of my stomach as the thick menu card is pulled from my hands."Olivia," he says in a voice so sinfully r

I hate clubbing. The last time I went was Selena's birthday two years ago. And because I don't usually go clubbing, my range of short, sexy dresses is limited. Extremely limited.I hold up two dresses. One, a black halter neck and the other a coral off-the-shoulder cocktail dress. I don't want to wear either of them. I throw both the dresses on the floor and fall onto my bed with a loud sigh. The sun went down a few hours ago and Selena will be here any minute. As the thought passes, the muted pound of an energetic knock sounds on my front door. I groan, rolling onto my side."O?" she shouts. "Open the door.""All right," I mutter as I drag myself to my feet, throw on my white, fluffy robe, and amble lazily through my apartment to answer the door.I pull the heavy, wooden door back and meet Selena's bare face. I smile. Gorgeous. With her thick eyelashes, high cheekbones, plump lips, and flawless complexion, she's one of those genetically blessed women."I'm so excited!" she shrieks, bo