Page 89 of Perfect Praise

“Or hates them,” Lydia adds.

The definition of the internet.

“No one hates you. Your little stunt didn’t even make it on TV,” number two laughs. “She was sitting with Willow. I want to be Maren or her best friend.”

“You both sound like you just want something from her, and you don’t even know her. She’s the nicest person I’ve ever met,” the third girl says with conviction. It’s Allie, Russell’s best friend’s wife and high school sweetheart. “And they look really happy. Some things just happen, and it’s not our business. Leave them alone.”

“You’re no fun.”

“Or I know what it’s like,” Allie counters, “and she only has you to thank, Lydia.”

“I should’ve just gone after Locke,” Lydia jokes. “Maybe he’ll break up with her soon.”

“Since when does that stop you?” unknown girl quips back.

“You two are impossible,” Allie sighs.

I sigh.

I’ll never escape this. And I can’t hide in this bathroom stall.

If Locke and Russ are kings, then I’m the queen—and the queen does what she wants, goes where she wants. I have all the control, even when I feel unworthy of anything, even when I’m the most vulnerable at the same time. I’ve always been in control, but I’ve allowed others to hold power over me constantly. And I need to stop letting life happen to me.

The handle clicks when I open the door, and as I step into the sink area, Lydia and I make eye contact in the mirror.

Her eyes go so wide she almost stabs herself with her mascara brush.

“Hey, Allie,” I smile, stepping up to the free sink.

She smiles back and defeatedly shrugs, understanding passing between us. After I’m done washing my hands, I tear a paper towel from the dispenser and look over at Lydia.

“Allie’s right,” I say. “Thank you.”

Lydia just watches me with stunned eyes as I walk out the door.

Around the corner, Locke almost knocks me over.

“Are you okay?” he asks. “Do you want to talk about how I called you my girlfriend? I shouldn’t have just said that out of nowhere. I’m sorry.”

I soothe Locke’s worried frown with my finger. “I’m great, and I’m not worried about it at all. I feel the same way,” I say, standing on my tiptoes to hug his neck. He relaxes against me, his anxiety physically lessening. “I do wish I wasn’t in this long dress so I could climb you, though.”

“If you want to wrap your legs around me, all you have to do is ask nicely,” he growls, his voice coarse with lust.

I match his tone. “What if I don’t want to be nice,boyfriend?” Locke blinks, adjusting to the word, then smirks. “Is that your kink?” I ask. “Being dominated?”

“No, not really,” he answers. “But I think anything can be my kink with you. Tell me what you want.”

“Good.” I smile. “Because I was thinking… I wantto tie you down.”

His groan echoes in the empty hallway. “Apparently, I want you to tie me down.”

“And I want to blastOur Secret Coveon the way home.”

Locke’s eyebrows crease. “What?”

“Willow’s song,” I tell him, exasperated.

He laughs. “Anything you want.”

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