Larkin tried not to flinch or show the hurt the girl caused. It only seemed to fuel her cruelty. She shrugged and walked into the kitchen to grab a glass of juice, bumping into the other girl when she turned. The juice sloshed over the rim and drenched the front of Larkin's t-shirt she'd worn to bed.
"Jesus, you're a klutz," Vanessa sneered and walked around her. "You might want to cut down on your carbs, fatty. No man likes a woman with rolls."
Larkin blinked back her tears and hurried away from the girl before she could say anything else. She closed her bedroom door and sighed. She needed to get ready for work. She'd leave early and walk around the nearest mall before work. The last thing she wanted to do was spend time with her roommate from hell.
Larkin made it out of the apartment without running into Vanessa. She spent the day walking around, window shopping, and reading the book she'd put in her bag.
She wished her friend had been home. That was where she usually went because Brylee's roommates were nicer to her than Vanessa.
She got to work an hour early.
"Where have you been?"
Larkin turned to Monica and then looked down. "I … I went shopping."
Monica's eyes narrowed. "What did that bitch do?"
"Nothing really. Just the usual."
"I hope you don't listen to her. She's so jealous of you, it's pathetic."
"Of me?" Larkins exclaimed in shock. "For God's sake, why?"
"Because you're way more beautiful than she is, and she can't stand when her boyfriend comes over. His eyes follow you."
"No way," Larkin said and chuckled.
"Yes. I'm not kidding. Ask Laura."
Larkin's smile fell.
"Hey, this isn't your fault. Don't let her get you down."
"I won't," Larkin said.
"Good. Is Darian coming here tonight?"
"He said he was."
"Then he'll be here. That man is totally hot for you."
Larkin's head jerked up. "You really think so?"
"Oh, I know so." Monica grinned.
"He's very nice to me."
Monica laid a hand on Larkin's arm. "Vanessa will be behind the bar most of the night, so you won't have to worry about her too much. Have fun if I don't catch you later."
"Thank you." Larkin watched her walk off. She hadn't realized how much Vanessa's words had cut her. She really needed to think about moving somewhere else. She enjoyed living with Monica and Laura, but she didn't want to dread facing a hateful woman.
Maybe she should look into getting a job waitressing where Brylee worked? Brylee made better money than she did. She'd talk it over with her friend the next day.
Chapter Seven
Several hours later, she stood by Darian's chair. "I'm ready."
He stood and shook the hands of the men he'd been talking to most of the night.