Page 212 of Divine Obsession

The living room of our townhouse was my favorite spot, full of natural light that streamed through the tall front windows and fell on the modern, cozy furniture Trevor insisted we needed. It was the first room you walked into when stepping through the front door.

Maria had claimed the plush corner of the sectional, her legs curled up beneath her and a textbook balanced on her knees.

She’d been in study mode since she arrived, her usual intensity doubled. Watching her pour over midterms was a stark contrast to the Maria I’d grown up with – the one who skipped class, rolled her eyes at anything academic, and always got detention she never attended.

Now, it was like nothing could pull her focus from her notes.

“Em,” I said her nickname, stretching out on the opposite end of the couch. “Are you actually going to ignore me the whole time you’re here?”

She didn’t look up. “Sorry. Midterms.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Okay, but the guys are out, and this is the first time we’ve had to catch up in weeks. You can’t spare ten minutes for your sister?”

Her pencil paused mid-tap as, she glanced up. “I’d love to, but failing this economics exam doesn’t exactly scream personal growth.”

I shook my head, laughing. “Take a break. You’re going to give yourself a headache.”

She sighed, closing the textbook shut and leaning back against the cushions. “Fine. But if I don’t pass, I’m blaming you.”

“You’ll do great.” I grinned, happy to finally pull her out of her study spiral. “So, how’s life? Zach still trying to out-romance Trevor?”

Her lips twitched at that, and I could tell she was trying not to smile. “Always.”

She moved to put her textbook in her Birkin, before pausing mid-motion. Her eyebrows knit together, and with an exasperated sigh, she grabbed her phone.

“Just a second, Nat,” She told me, dialing.

The call connected on the first ring.

“Didn’t I tell you to stop putting money in my wallet?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

From what she’d earned working for Ruiz, and later with the Italians – Maria hadseriousmoney. But as I peeked into her bag, and caught sight of her wallet, overflowing with hundred-dollar bills – judging by the neat stacks, they weren’t hers.

They were Zach’s.

On the other end of the line, Zach’s deep voice came through, calm and unbothered. “Maybe I can recall something…”

“Yeah? Well, it hurts my back. They’re that heavy.”

“Shit. Really?”

“Yes.”

There was a pause, and then Zach’s amused voice cut through. “I better get you a bodyguard then. To carry all your money around.”

Maria’s mouth fell open. Her tone dropped, before she replied through gritted teeth, “That won’t be necessary.”

Zach’s soft chuckle came through the line. “I love you, baby.”

“Love you, too,” She mumbled, before hanging up.

I raised an eyebrow as she left her phone on the glass coffee table. “What’s wrong, Em?”

She leaned back, crossing her arms. “I swear, he won’t let go of what happened between us.”

“The breakup?”

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