Little White Lies (editing)

Franklin Street

Thanks for 1000!

Iris groggily lifted her head off the sticky countertop. "What the?" She mumbled rubbing her eyes. She took in the scene around her. Carol was sleeping like a baby, drool and everything. Their glasses tipped and strange alcoholic beverages spilled over.

Juno must have provided the blankets covering them. The gesture was kind but Iris's stiff neck clearly wasn't feeling the love. She turned her attention back at Carol and shook her awake.

Carol's green eyes fluttered open. She looked confused at first but smiled after a minute. She lazily stuck her hand out to Iris.

Iris rolled her eyes but took it and shook it. Carol giggled before turning completely on her back taking in a deep breath.

"That was one of the best nights of my life." She smiled. Iris gave a genuine smile because she had to agree. "I would have to agree." She admitted.

Carol slid off the countertop. "We should make this a thing! Wednesday's and Saturday's we come here and hang out. Only if you want to of course." Carol awkwardly twirled a strand of hair.

She really liked spending time with Iris.

Iris thought about her safety first, but it seemed no one gave a sh*t about whatever Carol did so she nodded. "One day I'm gonna introduce you to my special friend." Iris narrowed her eyes in confusion. Her head still in pain, every time she had to think it was like a brick was smacking into her skull.

"Special friend?" Iris asked. Carol just laughed. "We used to f*ck for the heck of it." Iris tried not to have a shocked expression but wow. She never knew friends like that existed.

"Don't worry he won't snitch on you or try to hurt you. I think he secretly fancies a black woman." Carol smirked. Iris nodded pretending she understood what she said.

Her head was still pounding as she tried to keep up with the conversation.

"Matter of fact I believe his driver is outside so he can bring us both home." Carol pulled Iris up and the two women giggled and stumbled to the sleek black car.

Iris swore she remembered this car but she couldn't put a finger on it. She was way too drunk to care. They got Iris back to her home and she crashed in the guest bedroom. She didn't give a d*mn about Rupert today. She was going to sleep her life away.

She couldn't help the warm feeling of making a new friend. She might have been too shy to say to it Carol, but she felt closer with her only knowing her for 17 hours than she did with Annabelle who's she's known for 5 years.

She would never admit it but she was excited for Wednesday's and Saturday's. Now she would never have to worry about Vincent.

_______________________________
4 weeks later

Vincent tapped his foot impatiently. It had been 3 weeks since Iris walked out on him. She wasn't home on Saturday's for the last three weeks. The deal was over after today. He was impressed with the negroes getting the money and interest but the whole reason he extended it was so that he could be around Iris more.

Hell, he hasn't even seen Carol for a while. It was like the two women who occupied his life conspired together somehow and ditched him. Crazy thought, but it was driving him insane. Every time he saw Carol, she would be fleeing out the door talking about the "plans" she had already made.

He knew he had no right to be upset with Iris's absence but he was raging internally. These were the only days he really got to see her. He couldn't help himself with his curiosity.

"Rupert you let your woman run around with men on Saturday nights?" Vincent grunted. He was chugging his liquor fast in impatience.

Rupert flinched at the bass in Vincent's voice before shaking his head. "No no Iris made a new friend I guess. The two of them have been spending a lot of time together."

A friend? Vincent wondered. Male or female friend? He groaned silently in annoyance. He was just about to get up when the door chimed. Iris wore a big smile on her face as she waved at who ever was outside.

Vincent froze. He had never seen her smile. Like a real smile. Her teeth were white and straight, contrasting nicely with her darker skin. She had dimples that indented not too deeply, but enough to enchant you. Her brown eyes sparkled a little more.

She was a sight for sore eyes most definitely. But the devil inside Vincent was angry she was smiling at someone else like that. Who was this person?

That wasn't going to cut it for him.

"Mrs. Patterson would you mind showing me where the bathroom is?" Vincent cleared his throat awkwardly. He felt his ear start to turn red. He was blushing! Gosh this has gone too far, Vincent couldn't remember the last time he blushed.

This was blasphemous!

Her smile faltered at his voice but she straightened up. Vincent sighed, began somewhere in to begin to wish he did things differently. Or met her differently. He only got a taste of Iris losing control in the car. And one taste wasn't enough. He was intrigued.

"You're no stranger here Mr. Madden you have every right to anywhere in our home. Our bathroom is up the stairs to the left." She wore a polite smile but Vincent knew she was being anything but genuine. She didn't want to be near him.

"I never have been good at following directions hun, if it doesn't inconvenience you or Mr. Patterson I would appreciate being lead." Vincent knew he was using foul play but getting Iris alone has been d*mn near impossible lately.

Her left eye twitched before she nodded walking up towards the stairs, Vincent right on her tail. "Here's the bathroom." She said blandly.

The two of them stood there looking at each other. They knew Vincent didn't need to actually use the bathroom. "Where have you been? It's been a while." Vincent's voice came out low.

"I didn't know I answered to you of my whereabouts." Iris lifted her chin defiantly. Vincent would've been amused by it had he not been worried.

Why the hell was he worried!

"It's been 3 d*mn weeks Iris don't f*ck with me." He growled stepping closer. Iris stepped up to him. Fearlessness in her eyes. "I don't know what you think this is Mr. Madden, but I'm not interested."

That's what annoyed him. He could tell she wasn't interested. Only curious. It really pissed him off. "Matter of fact I believe today was the last day of the deal." She said in pretend thought. She knew of course.

"You should be off." She turned on her heel to walk away from him. Vincent's mind was in a jumbled mess as she sauntered off. He couldn't tear his eyes off of her. So many thoughts he couldn't control. Iris was infiltrating his very being.

"Iris." He called. He could hear the change in tone of his own voice. It felt different. Iris stopping voluntarily proved she heard it to. She turned to look at him.

Their eyes communicated through them the words neither one of them knew how to say. Iris didn't feel what he felt and he knew that. But he knew she felt something. And it was worth finding out what it was.

"I'll be back you know." His voice lowered. Iris broke the eye contact. "Why?" She asked. She was confused on what had this man acting this ridiculous. Iris was just one woman. He looked like a man suited for a woman like Carol. Maybe she would set them up.

"Somewhere inside that beautiful head you know why." He stared deeply at her. "We have unfinished business Iris. You better believe that." He walked closer to her. Iris stood her ground. No longer afraid that this man would hurt her.

"We have no business Vincent." She hissed before turning towards her room and locking the door. Vincent swore he had died and went to heaven.

Though he knew he was never going there.

But she finally said his name. His name had never sounded so perfect, even with her spitefulness. He would be back. Some how, some way he would find his way back to her.