Page 35 of Red Velvet

"Fine."

I sound like a dogged child, and I hate that he makes me like this, especially in front of someone who’s pretty much a stranger to me.

Damon looks at me with one eyebrow raised, patient but slightly annoyed, a manner that reminds me of my old man all too much. I fucking hate that. I hate being put in this position.

In addition, I don't know how I feel about conducting business with a former client at The Velvet Rooms. A client who married one of the girls who worked there, above all. What does that say about him? That we share a lot more than I'm willing to admit?

I don't want to believe that.

"Shall we eat?" Greg suggests, as if our dispute never happened. "I don’t think we should continue this discussion on an empty stomach."

Damon nods in response, his eyes still on me, as if he’s trying to encourage me. As if he knows I'm this close to walking out the door and leaving the two of them to themselves.

I will not fucking give him that satisfaction.

A reassured smile emerges on my brother's face when I get up from my seat and make my way over to the dining room, ready to engage in a conversation I never wanted to have.

Chapter 18

Lila

Not now.

I frown at my phone, clicking the message away that caused my chagrin. It's not the first of its kind, but it's just as unwanted as the other three I received earlier today. And yesterday. And the day before.

He just can't let things go.

Jim has been pestering me for days, as if he knows a new man has shown up in my life. And maybe he does know. Someone from my family could’ve told him. We’d been together for more than two years, and he was pretty close with my parents. They—especially my mother—were pretty upset about my decision to break up with him. For some reason, they still expected me to bring him to Elene's wedding. "For old time's sake," as my mother put it. I bet she was hoping I would just come to my senses, that I would see my mistake and get back together with the man I’d agreed to marry. It's what was expected of me, after all.

There's a chance that she even said something along those lines to Jim. I wouldn't be surprised if they've been talking on the phone without me knowing about it. It would explain why he's still holding out hope, even now, after weeks of silence between us.

Maybe I should ask Elene? Our contact has been pretty much nonexistent since the wedding, and even though it would stand to reason to blame her, the newlywed for this, it’s mostly my fault. Elene and Damon haven’t left for their honeymoon yet, and while I know that she’s quite busy with school at the moment, there would have been ample time to meet up with her like we used to. But then I would also have to tell her about Kade. I’m a terrible liar when it comes to my sister; I probably wouldn’t even have to tell her anything if we met up, because she’d be able to read it on my face. And then she would ask about it—and it would be impossible for me to lie to her.

I put my phone away, casting another angry glare at it before turning around to check myself in the mirror. I don't have much time left. Kade is coming to pick me up in less than ten minutes, and the last thing I want on my mind when I'm out on a date with him is my annoying ex-fiancé.

Why now? Why did he start messaging me now? Is it pure coincidence, or did he really talk to my mother? Or Elene? No, that's unlikely. They were never close, and if anyone from my family understands my decision to leave Jim, it would be her. She never said anything bad about him, but I could tell she didn't think much of him. He was too boring, too nice, too normal for her taste.

And now I agree with that assessment.

I’ve changed. Something inside me has changed, or woken up. I don't know which one comes closer to the truth. It's like this thirst for adventure, for explosive and dangerous pleasure, has always been there, sleeping in a cocoon like a caterpillar that’s now found its awakening as a butterfly.

A butterfly that still needs to learn how to use its wings.

Jim would never understand. He would be appalled.

But Kade…

Kade is teaching me how to fly.

I can't help but giggle as I catch my reflection in the mirror. At first glance, the girl staring back at me still looks familiar. She's still the same Lila I was a few weeks ago.

But she looks more awake, somehow younger and refreshed.

Happier.

Yes, that’s it. I'm happier.

I smile as if to confirm my silent assessment, then take a step back, surveying myself one last time before I'm ready to head outside. He didn't give me any orders on how to dress tonight, which left me a little lost, I have to admit. It's been a while since I've dressed up for a date, and I've never had to prepare for dates like the kind I'm experiencing with Kade. I almost wanted to ask him to give me a guideline, to tell me what to wear, but I didn't dare.

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