Page 60 of Sins and Secrets

Me: Go back to sleep.

Lukas: Only to dream about you.

Lukas:…..

Lukas: That was the cringiest thing I’ve ever said

Me: It’s not number one, but it’s in the top ten for sure.

Now I’m all aglow and gooey inside. My cheeks burn. Is this the way I’m supposed to be? Happy? Content? Appreciated?

I spend the next two hours writing my research and sending it out to Penny. Still not sure why the tech giant and easily the world's most important woman wants to know about these flowers, but I’m not paid for the whys of the research.

I’m about to pack up when a shadow casts over my screen. “Waverly Mcleod?”

I glance up, and it takes me a moment to register who I’m seeing. He’s literally the most basic of white guys ever: white polo shirt, wrap-around sunglasses, a baseball hat from a team that’s not local, and floppy brown hair. His only noticeable feature is how completely average he is. “Have we met?”

His smile falls a little and I realize exactly how fake it was to begin with. He touches his chest. “I’m Keith. I went to school with Adam.”

“Oh.” I don’t like any of Adam’s friends. They’re also stuck up, talking about block chains and short stocks.

He pulls out the chair across from me. “Mind if I join you?”

“Actually, I’m about to leave. I’ve got a meeting across town.”

He sits anyway and closes my laptop lid. What the fuck, bro? I notice the birthmark under his thumb nail, it’s kinda like a tall mushroom or a small dick. “I heard about you and Adam.”

I arch my eyebrow and put my hand on the laptop, trying to slide it out from under his hand. “Oh really? About what?”

“I’m in a group chat. So, is it true?”

“That we’re not together? Yes.” He lifts his hand from my computer. I snag it from his reach and put it in my bag.

He turns his head in a slow deliberate motion, like he’s looking for someone. “Shame. You're the most valuable part of his life.”

Valuable? Weird word choice.

“Thanks, I guess.” Slinging my purse strap over my shoulder, I say, “Maybe he should’ve cared more.”

As I stand to step from behind the table, he grabs my arm. Instantly I get the icks. It feels like thirty snakes are slithering up my skin. I go to pull away, but he holds me there. His eyes burn with an intensity I rarely see, but I know it instinctively. It’s the predator stare. His lips curl into a smile. “What’s he gotta do to win you back?”

A whole lot of nothing, but he stares at me waiting for me to answer him. “Something big.” I yank my arm out of his grasp and give him a polite wave, “See you later.” You’ll see me NEVER. Fucking weirdo.

ChapterTwenty-Six

Lukas

I’min the back of my buddy’s Toga’s tattoo studio where he allows me to work on VIP clients whenever I’m in LA. And none of my clients are more VIP than music icon, and the man of Waverly’s fantasies, Grae. He’s a loyal customer, booking a session every couple of years, and I consider him more of a friend than just a client. And according to the text with the dancing chipmunks he sent, he’s here.

I slide my phone in my back pocket and head toward the front of the shop. But it isn’t the music icon in a hoodie that makes me pause.

“Darren?” The two men walk in, and I lock the door behind them.

Darren’s in a sports jacket, not a suit like he normally wears when he’s working, but like he’s trying to keep a low profile while still being professional. “Hey.” He gives me a head nod. “You knew I worked the celebrity detail, right?”

I never gave it much thought. “Obviously not. I assumed you did some secret service shit.”

“He’s been my bodyguard for nine months.” Grae pushes his hood back and glances between the both of us. “You know each other?”

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