Page 55 of Devotion

Her expression is heartfelt as she places a hand on her chest. “You didn’t have to do this. Your presence is more than enough.”

She squeezes me with another hug as I spot Eliza and Isha making their way over.

“This bitch always has to make a fashionable entrance, doesn’t she?” Eliza says with a teasing eye roll, and then pulls me into a hug so tight, it rivals Dove’s.

Isha grabs me next, and I feel even more of the tension leaving me.

“You guys have no idea how much I needed this.” My words bring flashes of the shit I’ve put up with over the last couple weeks. I hear Martinez’s and the others’ words and laughter like they’re being shouted in my ears. I’ve pretended not to be affected, but it’s all a mirage.

Inside, it’s screwing with me.

Isha puts a small amount of space between us, but she continues holding my shoulders while she looks me over.

“Are you okay?”

“Rough day?” Eliza adds.

I shake my head and fight the sting of tears, fearing my life drama will take away from Dove’s moment.

“No, all good. I’m just a little tired.”

They stare a moment, and I’m almost certain they aren’t buying that. A theory that’s only confirmed when Isha’s eyes narrow before she speaks.

“I’ve asked before, Layla, but I’ll ask again… do we need to fuck someone up? It’s nothing for me to pull my hair up and—”

I interrupt her rant with a laugh. “No, relax. I’m fine. Besides, aren’t we here to celebratethisfabulous bitch?” I gesture toward Dove, and she strikes another pose.

“I mean, technically, it’s Chris’s day, too, but who are we really kidding?” Eliza says. “Everyone knows it’s all about the bride.”

“See? This is why I keep you three around. No one gets me like you do,” Dove says, and we trail behind her, making our way to our seats.

I drop down between Isha and Eliza, with Isha’s husband seated on her other side. I wave and whisper hello to him, feeling grateful to be surrounded by the love of friends. It would’ve sucked to no longer have a plus oneandto have gotten stuck sitting beside strangers.

I glance across the table to Dove. Chris leans in to whisper, and I read his lips as he tells her she’s stunning. She blushes, and I can’t fight my smile as they share a quick kiss before remembering they’re not the only two people in the room.

Once the drinks start flowing, time seems to slow, and I’ve realized that it’s taken surprisingly little energy to push the work drama aside and focus on tonight. Those who were strangers when I walked in thirty minutes ago, I now mutually follow on social media, and it feels like I’ve known them for years. Over all, I feel…lighter.

“The guy at the end of the table, Luke, he’s single, ya know,” Isha leans in to whisper. “And don’t tell me you haven’t noticed him staring at you since you walked in.”

Her words bring heat to my face, and I do my best not to embarrass the poor guy by making eye contact.

“I came alone, and I have no problemleavingalone,” I assure her.

“Bullshit. You’ve had your heart put through the ringer by that asshat, Martinez. If anyone deserves a little meaningless sex with a hot stranger, it’s you, babe. Trust me.”

I laugh a bit, but it’s cut short when she leans in to ask another question.

“Speaking of meaningless sex with strangers… have you reached out to Damien yet?”

The heat of embarrassment that warmed my face a moment ago is replaced by a powerful blaze.

“We’ll talk.”

That answer leaves her very visibly intrigued, but she doesn’t pry. When we have a bit more privacy, I’ll explain that I don’t actually plan to reach out to him, which will inevitably come with a lengthy lecture. But for now, I’ll let her have hope.

Hope that wouldn’t exist if she knew the reason I’ve deemed it best for there to be as much separation between Damien and I as humanly possible.

She leans away to chat with her husband, and with Eliza just as tied up in conversation withherdate, I’m finally starting to feel a hint of that loneliness that evaded me at first. I’m not consumed by it, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that it stings a little.

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