Page 36 of Lotus

“Even then, I’ll find a way to bring you back.”

I teeter backwards, catching myself on my outstretched palms, the dream piercing me like a serrated knife. My chest aches and burns, my head throbbing as it fights to keep a firm hold on images that have been entombed for far too many years.

Was it a dream or a memory?

Everything is still so muddled and tangled, twisted in long, winding roots that travel deep.

Too deep.

Gathering my bearings, I pull myself up and suck in a wavering breath. I spare the portrait a final glance before giving Alexis another pet and walking out the door.

“I’ll find a way to bring you back, too.”

T E N

I’M NEXT DOOR IN THE KITCHEN WITHGABE,trying to put some quality appetizers and desserts together before guests arrive for the party. I take a step back from the counter, admiring my handywork.Not too shabby.

Gabe glances over to me as he sorts through the alcohol, then does a double take. “What the fuck are those?”

“Cupcakes. Obviously.” I shoot him a ‘duh’ glare. “What do they look like?”

“You don’t want to know.”

“What? Don’t even mess with me right now. I stayed up until three A.M. making these.” A scowl lands on my face as I try to figure out what Gabe sees. They are red, white, and blue cupcakes—white cake, red frosting, and a blueberry in the middle. I think they’re cute.

Gabe scrubs a palm over his jaw, returning to his task. “It’s fine. People will be too drunk to care that they look like weird nipple cakes. Hopefully, they taste good.”

Nipple cakes?!I cock my head to the side, my features falling.

Shit. They sort of do.

“And the red is a little disturbing. Looks like blood or something.”

“Oh, my God. I made bloody nipple cakes.”

“Pretty much.”

I throw myself onto the counter dramatically, my arms catching my forehead. “Clem should be here soon. She’ll know what to do,” I mumble. Gabe doesn’t respond, so I turn my head to glance at him, noting his furrowed brow and tense posture.

He finally clears his throat and opens a beer, chugging half of it before responding. “I doubt she’s coming.”

“Why?” I stand up straight, eyes narrowed with confusion. “I talked to her yesterday. She was pumped.”

“That was before she ran out on me last night, right in the middle of sex. No fucking clue what I did.”

“What the hell? She hasn’t texted me or anything.”

Gabe shrugs, his frustration evident, then downs the rest of his beer. “Things were going good. It was fun. I honestly don’t get it.”

That’s strange. Clementine has seemed happy the last few months while spending time with Gabe. I was even starting to wonder if this “rebound” situation was going to turn into something more. “Yikes. What were you doing? What did you say?”

An eyebrow raises at me. “You want detailed bullet points, or the cliff note version?”

“Eww. I meant, does anything stand out?”

“Yeah. My blue balls.”

I shake my head through an assortment of theatrical gagging sounds, then spin away from him. “Whatever. I’ll talk to her.”

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