Page 1 of Born Reckless
Chapter One
“You can’t goto this kind of party dressed like that.”
I step out of the hospital and look down at myself. I’m wearing blue scrubs that are stained with more than one bodily fluid and my hair is pulled up in a bird’s nest of a bun at the top of my head. She might say it with snark, but I feel the smile slowly pull on my face. “What, I’m not good enough for you tonight?” I smirk as my eyes rise back up to meet hers.
My best friend grins and with a laugh pulls me to her. She can’t weigh more than a hundred and ten pounds, but she’s insanely strong. And gives the best hugs.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were in the city?” I ask, leaning back as I look into her blue eyes.
“Because surprises are always more fun?” she says it in her no-bullshit,duh, kind of tone. “Come on, I brought you something to change into.”
She grabs my hand and yanks me down the sidewalk to the limo parked at the curb.
Elena Godfrey doesn’t even live in New York City. She’s from Chicago. We met at that snooty restaurant I was working at before I started my residency, eighteen months ago. Elena is in town every few weeks for business. I know she is rich. She’s always throwing money around as if it means nothing. Hell, I know she even has her own private jet.
And proving herself once more, she’s brought a limo.
“You are so ridiculous,” I say as the driver opens the door for us and she practically shoves me in. “I’m just getting off a ten-hour shift. I’m shot. Can’t we just watch a movie in my crappy apartment in my crappy bed?”
“Hell no,” she says as she climbs in after me and pulls the door closed. She reaches for two shopping bags, both from very expensive stores, and shoves them at me. “I have a surprise for you tonight. Put this on.”
Elena’s presence is enthralling. She’s energetic and powerful, fun and intimidating. Being with Elena kind of feels like you’re associated with a celebrity. She makes things happen.
I glance at the driver who climbs back into the seat, but Elena presses a button, and the divider rises between us.
“Juliet, hurry up,” Elena commands. “We’re only five minutes away.”
Oh. So, it’sthatkind of party.
The hospital where I’m doing my residency is in a high-end part of town. This area is the kind of place you can only afford to live in if you’re some kind of CEO or Wall Street guru. This part of town is about the money. The glitz. The glam.
So, if this party is only five minutes away, it is going to bethatkind of party.
I pull out a matte black dress that feels like it’s made of silk. Elena dumps the other bag and out tumbles a box with shoes. They’re black with deathly sharp heels and red soles.
There’s nothing in me that doubts Elena dropped five hundred to a grand on this outfit.
“Seriously, pick up the pace!” she encourages as the driver rolls forward.
“What’s with the demands today?” I bark, furrowing my brows at her. I pull my top off and shimmy out of my pants.
“I’m sorry,” she says, leaning back in one of the seats. I don’t think I’ve ever heard her say those words in the eighteen months of our friendship. “I’m just excited. I’ve been trying to make this happen for a year now, and I finally talked him into coming with me.”
“You’re finally introducing me to Alden?” I ask, my eyebrows shooting up.
“What? No,” she says, shaking her head as her brows furrow. “We broke up two weeks ago.”
“And you never thought to mention this until now?” I ask as my hands go up, my head shaking. “You two were together for a year and a half.”
Elena shrugs and reaches for a bottle of water. “It’s easy to get over someone when you walk in on them screwing their assistant.”
“Are you kidding me?” I snarl. I never met Elena’s boyfriend in Chicago, but I now want to rip a few of his entrails out and strangle him with them.
“Whatever,” Elena says with the shake of her head. “I got pissed, did some screaming, broke some of his shit, and now I’m over it. But tonight is not about me.”
I pull the dress over my head, tugging it down over my body. It’s awkward in this cramped space. Just as I finish strapping the shoes on, the limo pulls to a stop.
“Elena, I’ve been at work all day. I’m probably covered in disgusting bodily fluids. Neurology pushed me over to labor and delivery today,” I say in exasperation. “My hair. My face.”