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pain be subsiding?
    When I feel a tear escape my eye, I slowly stand up, head to the bathroom and pull myself together. I come back out, put the shoes on (blocking out the color) and head downstairs.
    As I step off the last step I am greeted with the site of all that is Brynn and Avery. Brynn is in a gold, skin tight strapless dress that stops several inches above her knees, with gold sandals that strap up her legs. Her blonde hair is all pulled up in a messy twist with several strands falling around her face and neck. Avery is in a white suit with an emerald green shirt and gold tie.
    “Wow. You guys look amazing ,” I tell them, gasping with astonishment.
    “Thanks, girl. You look fan-fucking- tastic! I knew that dress would be killer on you!” Avery answers me.
    “Yes, you are sure to turn heads ,” Brynn smiles a mischievous smile but she keeps talking before I can ask about the look. “We better get going. Our driver is here.”
    “Driver?” I ask.
    “Yep we hired a driver. And don’t worry we’ve already got you checked in to a room, so no need to worry about that. I may have gotten carried away and bought you some more clothes and they’re in the room as well so you’re all set,” Avery states.
    My eyes go wide. “Jesus, Avery. Don’t I have enough clothes?”
    “Of course. But, darling, one can never have too many clothes!” he exclaims. “Now let’s go.”
    We head down and get into (oh Jesus Christ) a limousine. “Really?” I roll my eyes as the door opens and we climb in.
    “Yes, really. It’s your special day. You only turn thirty once ,” Brynn snaps at me.
    “Okay, okay. Sheesh. Slow your roll, bitch ,” I put my hands up in a placating gesture.
    “I’ll slow my roll when you shut the fuck up and just enjoy instead of bitching ,” she snaps sarcastically.
    “Shutting up now, your highness ,” I say demurely.
    “Would you two shut up? Here,” Avery pours champagne into flutes and passes me one, “drink up.” He holds his glass up to toast, “To an amazing woman who has been through too much and deserves tonight to relax and find her happy place again.”
    “Cheers.”
    “Cheers.”
    We all clink our glasses together before taking a sip.
    “Mmm. Is this Cristal?” I ask.
    “Of course. If we’re going with a place as nice as The W, then you can’t toast the night off with cheap shit ,” Avery answers sounding uppity and I let out a small laugh.
    “It’s good to see you laugh again, Harper. I’ve missed it ,” Brynn states with a serious expression.
    “I know. I’m sorry.” I look down and fiddle with the snap on my gold clutch.
    “It’s okay. I think you’ll feel much better after tonight. Getting out is what you need.” She reaches over, grabs my hand and smiles at me. I smile in return, sit back and enjoy my champagne.
    I don’t think I will feel better. It seems that nothing can fill this ache in my body. My soul feels void of any life. How can one man suck everything from me in such a short time?
    We arrive on the coast around eight thirty, pulling up to The W. A valet opens the car door and we slide out. Avery leads the way to the Whiskey Blue room where two doormen stand with clipboards in their hands.
    “Is there a list to get in here?” I ask incredulously and discreetly to Brynn. Christ, I don’t know that many people. This thing can’t be very big.
    I hope.
    “Yes, we didn’t want anyone hearing about it and sneaking in, trying to splash your picture all over, after… well, you know ,” she whispers to me.
    I reach for her hand and squeeze. “Thank you ,” I say quietly and meaningfully.
    Avery talks to the doormen and they open the doors for us. We step in and I’m met with so much beauty I can hardly believe it.
     

Chapter 4
     
     
    The walls are covered in white satin drapery interspersed with strips of blue, gold, and green; perfectly coordinated with our outfits. There are several tables surrounding a dance floor where a D.J.