No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 57

LAUREN'S POV

After what felt like the longest day, I finally set my pen down and leaned back against the chair in my room. My entire focus has been on preparing for the interview tomorrow. Every second had been spent making sure nothing was left to chance. I had gone over all the questions they had asked me the last time, studying my own mistakes and making mental notes of what I should have said instead. This time had to be different. Tomorrow wasn’t just another chance at employment, it was an opportunity to place myself right in the line where I needed to be. Their boss was rumored to be showing up at the company, and if there was even the slightest chance that I would meet him, then I had to be flawless.

Failure wasn’t an option. If I could secure this job, it wouldn’t just be about financial stability or career growth. It would be the first solid step forward in my promise to Elena. That fire was what kept me pushing, rehearsing my answers over and over until the words sounded natural, confident, and unshakable.

By the time I finally glanced at the clock, the hours had melted away faster than I expected. The day had slipped through my fingers like sand, and it wasn’t even 11 p.m. yet when Tessa barged into the room, full of restless energy. She was already pestering me to get dressed. Apparently, her plan was for us to arrive at the club even before the doors opened at eleven sharp.

I rolled my eyes, but I knew better than to argue. Tessa’s persistence always won out in the end.

Reluctantly, I peeled myself away from my notes and headed into the shower. The moment the hot water hit my skin, I released a small sigh. It was strange though I used hot water every single day, tonight the sensation felt… different. The warmth was soothing in a way that seemed to sink deeper than usual, loosening the knots in my muscles and calming the nerves that had been buzzing all day. For the first time in hours, I allowed myself a moment to simply breathe.

By the time I stepped out, wrapping a towel around myself, Tessa was already fully dressed and working on her makeup. I paused in the doorway, taking in the sight of her. I had to admit, she looked stunning.

“Wow,” I said with a small grin, water still dripping from my body “It’s been years since I saw you looking this nice, you know.”

Tessa smirked, not taking her eyes off her reflection. “Thanks, but I’m pretty sure you’re gonna take all the shine tonight.” She sat a little straighter at her makeup table, tilting her chin to apply her eyeliner with careful precision.

Her confidence made me laugh softly, though part of me wondered if she really believed that.

It had, in fact, been years since I’d worn heavy makeup myself. Once I married Ethan, my appearance had shifted into something more restrained, more polished, but never bold. I had settled into a light foundation, a touch of powder, and lip gloss — nothing more. That had been my routine for so long that I had almost forgotten how it felt to go all out, to paint my face in colors that announced my presence rather than fading into the background.

But tonight would be different. Tonight, I was reclaiming a piece of myself I had tucked away. And though Tessa hadn’t voiced it, I knew she was waiting for me to step back into that version of me again, the one who knew how to command attention.

“Just so you know,” Tessa said suddenly, breaking the silence as she brushed mascara onto her lashes, “I’m gonna make sure I take a video of you wasted.” Her mischievous grin reflected in the mirror.

I let out a quick laugh, shaking my head. “No chance. I’m not going to take a single shot when we get there. I have to be completely fine for my interview tomorrow. I’m just coming over to have some fun, that’s it. No alcohol.” As I spoke, I sat at the edge of my bed and began rubbing cream into my legs, my movements deliberate, my tone firm.

Tessa arched a brow, clearly unimpressed by my resolve. “So what do you plan on drinking then?” she asked, her eyes still locked on her reflection as if the mirror itself demanded all of her attention.

“Well, I’m sure they have orange tropical juice,” I replied without hesitation.

Tessa groaned loudly, throwing her head back with the kind of exaggerated frustration only she could pull off.

“There you go again,” she said, dragging out the words. “Talking about Ethan and what other people think. Can you, just for once, shut that part of your brain off and live a little? Who cares about the media? Who cares about whispers or gossip? We’re going out tonight to have fun, and nothing else. Just the two of us. No Ethan, no past, no headlines. Just us. Can you do that? Please?”

Her eyes locked onto mine, demanding an answer that felt heavier than the question itself.

I hesitated, staring back at my reflection. The woman in the mirror didn’t quite look like me. She looked stronger, sexier like Tessa would say, and even I wasn’t sure if I was ready to look this way again after everything that just happened

“Yeah,” I said finally, my voice softer, almost hesitant. “I guess so.”

“That’s the spirit.” A triumphant smile spread across Tessa’s face, and she clapped her hands together as if we’d just made a major breakthrough. “Alright then, I’m gonna place an order for our Uber. While we’re waiting…” She stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor, and reached for my wrist

“You come over here so I can do my thing on your hair and makeup.”

Before I could protest, she was already dragging me toward the vanity, her energy too infectious to resist.