Page 97 of Ink & Stardust

“And after that?”

“Go to the party. Find Lyric. And grovel. Grovel like your life depends on it.”

“Is that all?” A semblance of a smile tugs at the corner of my mouth.

“And be prepared to continue to grovel for a least a few days. You kinda owe her that much.” She knocks her shoulder against mine before pushing to a stand. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have to get home and get ready. I better see your ass there tonight, or my visit tomorrow won’t be nearly as cordial.”

“You call this cordial,” I tease, watching her cross the length of the room in record time.

She tugs open the door, not turning back around until she’s in the hallway.

“You better be there,” she reiterates.

“I’ll be there,” I promise, blowing out a slow breath when she closes the door seconds later.

I have no idea what I’m going to say or do to make any of this right, but Maisie is right about one thing... Well, she’s right about a lot of things, but there’s one thing she said that really stands out. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.

If today is my last day, I want it to be with Lyric.

Nothing else truly matters.

My guilt.

My fear.

My uncertainty.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to one thing.

Can I live without her?

The answer is a resounding no.

Chapter Eighteen

“I need another drink,” I announce, holding up the cup I emptied in record time. I think that makes four, but if I’m being honest, it might be five.

“Are you sure you want another already?” Maisie asks, she and Charlotte exchanging the same look they’ve basically shared all night.

“Aren’t you the same two people who’ve told me countless times that I need to cut loose and have fun? Well, that’s exactly what I’m doing.” I force a smile that feels anything but happy. A little drunk maybe, but definitelynothappy.

“She kind of has us there.” Char smiles. “Ah, fuck it. Who am I to poop on a girl’s party?” She loops her arm through mine. “Another drink it is.”

“Thank you.” I tip my chin to her before my gaze darts back to Maisie. “What do you say?” I push out my bottom lip in a pout.

“I say go ahead. I want to say hi to a couple of friends if that’s okay.”

“Okey dokey.” I give her a toothy grin.

Truth be told, Maisie is acting a little weird tonight, and as much as I adore her, it’s kind of screwing with the vibe I’m trying really hard to obtain.

“I’ll catch back up with you in a few,” she tells us, disappearing into the sea of people crowding the living area of the house.

“Do you think she’s upset with me?” I ask Char once she’s out of earshot.

“Not at all. Why?” She uses our linked arms to guide me toward the kitchen on the other side of the house.

“She’s acting weird, though, right?”

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