When college student Sapphire Blake finds herself fresh out of a breakup, she is ready to embark on a new journey in her life.
A dark, sensual journey.
Freeing herself from the expectations set by her family, friends, and church, an innocent and u...
Song: Say It by Maggie Rogers. Snippet of the lyrics below.
I found myself staring at you ... I cannot fall in love with you I cannot feel this way so soon, so soon
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Sapphire
December 31, New Year's Eve.
It's okay, Saph. You've got this.
Breathe. One. Two. Three.
I leaned over the faucet and stared at my reflection in the public bathroom mirror. I was at the Sky Bar rooftop nightclub at the top of the Hilton Hotel downtown.
Vera invited me to hang out at the club and celebrate New Year's Eve with her, Ace, Mindy, and some friends.
Of course, Julian was there when I arrived earlier that evening. He was enjoying the open atmosphere with a glass of gin and tonic in one hand, while Jessie whispered sweet nothings into his ear.
"You got this," I told myself, fighting off Wicked Anxiety in the bathroom.
Keep telling yourself that, Saph. You're a twenty-two-year-old virgin who can't get a man to fuck you—Cameron wouldn't even bed you after years of being together, Wicked Anxiety taunted.
Shut up, anxiety. You're a bitch.
Look into the mirror, Saph. What do you see? Lady Hope stepped in, whispering in my ear.
I saw a slender woman with straight, chestnut hair, who swapped her glasses for contact lenses.
What else do you see? Lady Hope led on, pushing Wicked Anxiety away.
I saw an emerging beauty in a lustrous blue satin, backless cocktail dress, featuring a plunging halterneck.
A modelesque woman with dark curls brushed past me and smiled as she headed out the door, back into the club.
The depths of my heart warmed up, and I knew that I was ready to walk out in confidence.
"Saph! Come over here! Let's get a photo together," Vera shouted, waving at me as I walked toward her and the gang.
"So, is the church rat staying in the hotel with us?" Ace laughed, taking a swig of his beer.
"Yeah, my room is right next to yours and Vera's, so you'd better tone it down because this church rat don't take your shit," I replied, stabbing him with a piercing stare.
I didn't like Ace very much—he reminded me of a young Val Kilmer from Top Gun, but he was an obnoxious guy. Tonight, he was especially bad-mannered, but Vera dismissed his behavior, blaming it on the alcohol.
I glanced at Julian and his girlfriend, who was all over him like a rash. He looked divine and sophisticated in his suit, white shirt, Burberry cufflinks, and black tie.
