Page 131 of Raven

Maddy.

Milena.

Mayflower.

Mantra.

Memories…

49

MADDY

It’s been four weeks and three days of us not talking.

I don’t mean to count. But when I look at the calendar, that date is always there—the day Raven decided to let me know what it’s going to be.

You would never be with a guy like me.

It’s sad when people write their own verdicts.

There is a party at Marlow’s.

I’m gonna go. I’m going to get drunk. And I’m going to misbehave. It’s decided.

Many people know who I am by now. They don’t ask me questions, but rumors spread like a virus.

Well, maybe it’s time for everyone to meet Milena Tsariuk.

I take my time to dress up. A strapless golden minidress. Six-inch stilettos. Jewelry. I can’t afford the brands I used to, but taste is something you can’t kill.

I flat-iron my hair and slick it back into a high ponytail, then meticulously apply makeup the way I used to. Half an hour later, my face is a prefect doll mask with smoky eyes and coral lipstick.

“Hello, Milena,” I whisper to my reflection.

Part of me is reeling with excitement at what I see. Another part is bitter. No one but Raven has seen this side of me. And I want him to see it again. I’ll make sure he does.

Nilanski is waiting for me outside. I like Ali better. He is quiet and kind, and if I coax him, he talks about his past. But Nilanski is funny, full of jokes and silly stories.

When I walk into Marlow’s, Kat gives me an up-and-down. “Girl…”

Callie smiles. Bo, Ty, and Guff lift their brows, and Marlow gives me a cat-whistle.

“Are you sure this is the way you want to go?” Bo muses as he hands me a cocktail at the pool bar, everyone’s eyes on me.

“I’m not hiding anymore.”

Bo smiles, fixes his tinted glasses. “Well, you look phenomenal.”

“Thank you.”

Next, I take off my Ayana bracelet and put it in my clutch. I know Raven used to track my whereabouts and had the vitals alert set up on his phone. With my bracelet off, my non-existent heart rate will set off the alarm. If Raven still watches me, he’ll be here.

I walk behind the row of gardenia bushes, away from the pool, when I see Nilanski walk out onto the deck and scan the area. He can’t see me. Good. He talks to Marlow. They both look around, but don’t see me.

And that’s when Nilanski—I counted on that—calls Raven.

It only takes three minutes for Raven to show up at the doors to the pool deck, his eyes scanning every person around. He looks tired and somewhat angry, but butterflies roar in my stomach just at the sight of him.

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