Locked Hearts

Chapter Two

GRACE POV

Walking into my office, I put my stuff down and sat. It wasn't even a full minute before Kelly busted through the door.

"Did you rest?"

"Yes." I answered slowly.

"Good. I have a story for you to cover." She informed while taking a seat.

"Shoot."

"Raelynn Clarke, owner of Night Cravings. It's a popular club that's rapidly rising to the top. We want to do a story on her and how she got to where she is at her age." My boss and best friend sat down and crossed her longs legs.

"I know the club, not the owner though." I casually scanned my emails on my phone.

Kelly chuckled and continued. "She started off at twenty one and is currently twenty seven. Nobody knows her background or anything about her really. Her club is currently top five and you know in this city, that's a big deal."

I nodded. "Okay, what do I have to do?"

"What you always do" She winked. "Write a kick ass piece for our magazine."

"I'll set up an interview with her."

"Actually, we need more than a interview with her." I waited for her to continue. "She's known to be a bit closed off. You might need to dig deeper for this one."

I ran my hand through my hair. "Fine."

"Great. Now, that business is taken care of," She rubbed her hands together. "How are we on the sex part of things?"

"No, we are not doing this." I stopped her.

She groaned. "Gracie, it's been so long that I'm afraid you're a virgin again."

I rolled my eyes. "It hasn't been that long."

Sue me for hating men and women at the moment. I'd been hurt and broken by both. I now had absolutely no interest in seeing either in a romantic way. Last time I let someone in, I was left with more than a broken heart.

"I don't mean to date. Just get a good fuck every now and then." She made weird hand gestures as she spoke. "You need it lighten up and have some fun. Your pussy would thank you for it."

I rolled my eyes at her bluntness.

She wasn't wrong. My life had taken a turn into depression drive. I was also really, extremely horny. Masturbating only did so much. Yet, I couldn't stomach actually giving myself to anyone in anyway. For some reason, my mind drifted to the dark haired woman from the grocery store. She was gorgeous, shoulder length black hair and hazel eyes with flecks of green in them. Her tatoos only added to her appeal. It wasn't hard to see, she was in fact a woman who got around. She wasn't normally my type though. She was something in between butch and femme and while I liked tough looking guys, I preferred femme women.

"Can we not do this today, please?" I told her, turning on my laptop.

"Fine, but this isn't over." She warned.

I waved for off and went back to work.

A half an hour later, my current piece was finished. I typed up the name Raelynn Clarke. Everything I found was solely about the club. Other than her name, I found nothing else. Nothing about her background, where she came from or even a picture. I was both weirded out and intrigued by this. I did some more research on the club before calling the number given for the club online.

"Hello, Nights Cravings. Danny speaking." A pleasant voice answered.

"Yes hello. I'm a writer for Buzz Desire. My editor may have gotten in touch with you about doing a story on your boss." I spoke politely.

"Ah yes. I suspect you're calling to set up an interview?"

"I am. Anytime that's convenient for, Ms Clarke."

"Tomorrow, at 5pm. More than enough time before the club opens up."

"Very well then."

"You know the way, right?"

"Hard not to. Goodbye."

I waited until he said the same and hung up, my eyes lifting up to see Kelly walking in again.

"Don't you have work to do?" I asked the tall brunette.

"Eh, I already bossed around who I needed to. Let's go for lunch." She said, pulling on my arm.

Reluctantly, I let her lead me out after grabbing my stuff.

Kelly was the type to bug you until you got annoyed and snapped. Then bug you some more. Nothing you said to her would stop her from saying what was on her mind. It was something I both hated and loved about her. Truth be told, if it wasn't for this woman, I'd still be sulking in my apartment. She was the only reason I got my ass up and got my shit together after my last break up. Now her mission was to get me laid.

"So, we should go out and find you someone." She said after we ordered.

"Wouldn't your husband mind you leaving him to go hunting for a lay for me?"

"Uh no. It's for you and he could come too." She shrugged.

Her and Peter had been married for ten years now, together since high school. Over seventeen years together and they were still hopelessly in love. A shot of jealousy washed through me. There was a time I thought I could have that kind of love. I thought I did have it. Instead, I was betrayed in the worse way possible. Funny how the people closest to you, are always the ones to hurt you the most.

"I'm not ready, Kel." I suddenly felt somber.

She reached over and placed her hand over mine. "Hey, don't go there, it's not worth it. You have come too far to crawl back into that head space." Taking both my hands she spoke. "Gracie, you are so beautiful and talented. You're one, if not the best writer at the magazine. You're sweet, kind, maybe a little unapproachable at times but still very much deserving of so much." She said with a sincere smile.

"Unapproachable?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Really? That's all you got from what I just said?" She huffed out a laugh.

I chuckled and shook my head. "No, I got everything. Thank you, Kel. You're a great boss but even better friend."

"Anytime, Gracie." She winked.

●●●

I slumped down on the couch, not bothering to remove anything. It hadn't been long since I moved into this place. My last apartment held too many painful memories. I liked the building and the people seemed nice enough, but I had this lonely feeling at the pit of my stomach.

I laughed out as I thought about my my ex. We would have been married for almost a year now. Well hey, better late then never, right? It probably would have hurt a lot more if I found out after we tied the knot.

Not wanting to drown in my own self pity, I willed myself to get up. After I showered and changed, I proceeded to make dinner. When I was done eating, I went into my home office and started preparing for this new story.

I needed to get ready for this interview tomorrow. Much like I did most nights, I would be staying up late working.

-E