Page 86 of Sinful Scars

“Have you considered that perhaps he needs some time to process things on his own before he sees you again? After all, he clearly kept his identity a secret for a reason, so to finally strip away that barrier must have made him feel very vulnerable.”

“I guess…”

“I wouldn’t be too quick to dismiss him, Elle.”

Dr. Mills’ advice plays on repeat in my mind as I leave the office after our session ends.

I know I should give Lev the benefit of the doubt, but sometimes, I just need to wallow in self-pity.

Which means, instead of going home and cleaning my apartment, I’m going to spend the rest of my free afternoon doing the one thing that never fails to cheer me up when I’m feeling down.

Shopping.

I hit store after store to stock up on plenty of supplies for the perfect self-care night. I’m just tossing a plumping sheet mask into my basket when my phone starts to buzz in my purse.

I don’t bother looking at who it is because I know it’sLucia. She’s called pretty much on the hour, every hour, since I stormed out of the townhouse weeks ago. And I’ve sent each of those calls to voicemail.

She completely blindsided me after she swore she would keep my secret between us, and I’m still really angry at her.

I pick up another sheet mask and am just scanning the dozens of benefits listed on the back when there’s a chime for an incoming text.

“You don’t give up.” I drop my bags on the floor along with my overflowing basket and root around in my purse for my phone.

As expected, a text from Lucia flashes across the screen.

PLEASE call me back!!! I’m so sorry if you felt cornered the other night, but I was only trying to do what I thought was best. I hope you can forgive me. I miss you and so does Vivi <3

“Dammit.”.

She must be feeling desperate if she played the Vivi card.

In truth, I’ve hated every minute of not speaking to Lucia. I hate holding grudges at the best of times, but particularly with her.

Besides, it hardly seems fair that I’m willing to accept what Lev has done in the past but not forgive Lucia.

It’s like she said, she was only trying to protect me.

She doesn’t deserve to be punished for that.

Me: I’m out shopping. Meet for coffee in ten?

Lucia: I’ll get us a table at Café Joyeux!!

As I switchoff my phone and tuck it back into my purse, I already feel a bit better at the thought of making up with Lucia.

I hate fighting with her, and it will be good for us to air our grievances and hopefully move past all of this.

I can only hope that she’s more willing to listen than her husband and his overprotective brothers.

After spending the equivalent of a month’s rent on beauty items, I head down the street toward the café where Lucia is already waiting for me.

I love coming to the café in the early evening, when it’s full of people looking to unwind after a day's work. Most of the time, I just sit and watch the world go by, making note of any books I like the look of that another customer is reading, and actually taking the time to savor a pastry rather than devouring it whole on the way to the hospital.

“Someone’s been busy.” Lucia eyes the armfuls of bags as I drop them on the floor and begin trying to untangle my scarf from my hair.

“I was in need of some retail therapy.”

Lucia frowns as she glances from me to the bags. “Any particular reason?”

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