Page 100 of Lush

“From Café L’Amour?” She blinked, a hint of something vulnerable in her expression. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Yeah.” I rubbed the back of my neck and handed her the box. “Figured you could use a pick-me-up. Jennie told me what happened.”

Laurene gave me a look and nodded. “I can’t believe they still make this. You remembered.” She broke off a piece of cake, and her eyes fluttered shut as she licked the frosting off her fingers.

I was captivated watching her expression soften, and I felt my dick harden in my pants.

“It’s still so good.” Her eyes met mine, and I wondered if myface was a billboard for my feelings: total admiration, guilt, fear, and lust.

I cleared my throat. “I only came by because I wanted to check on you after the whole shower thing. I’ll get you whatever dress you want.”

“I’d never wear that dress. I know what it means—to both of us.”

The relief that swept over me was sharp, almost startling.

“Good,” I murmured. “Just pick another dress you like.”

“Gigi’s already on the case.”

I watched as she quickly devoured the cake and suddenly the decision didn’t seem stupid. Her eyes met mine for a brief second, but she quickly looked away, focusing on something in the distance.

“Something else happened at the spa,” she told me. “I got trapped in the sauna.”

“What? What the hell happened? You should have called me immediately. We’re going to need to hire more?—”

“I tried to get the door open, but I couldn’t,” she cut me off. “It’s been playing in my head… I think it’s personal. Of course it’spersonal, but I’m being targeted more than you.” Her nails tapped against the table in an erratic rhythm. “I’ve been going over everything in my mind, and what if you’re just collateral? I’ve done so much shit—or maybe it’s somebody after Mama but…” She trailed off, jaw tightening.

“Laurene.”

She exhaled sharply and turned to face me, something unreadable flickering in her eyes. “Maybe you should go.”

The words came so suddenly that for a second, I wasn’t sure I heard her right.

“I’ll tell my parents I called off the wedding,” she went on. “I’ll take the heat. You don’t have to be dragged into this. You don’t have to stay.”

“Are you serious right now?”

Her eyes flashed. “Reese?—”

“No.” I shut that down immediately. “I’m not going anywhere.”

She swallowed. “I mean it, Reese. If this is about some mistake I made, there’s no reason for you to be?—”

“This isn’t just about you.” I said. “You think I’m fine because they haven’t locked me in a sauna yet?”

I shook my head.

“I know what this is. I know what it means when someone wants to break you down, make you paranoid, get inside your fucking head. Who is to say after they hurt you, they won’t come after me? I’ve done things I’m not proud of either.”

Something flickered across her face.

“I’m in this with you, Laurene,” I said. “You don’t get to push me out. I don’t care how much you try.”

Soft, moody music played from her open laptop. I glanced at it, then back at her.

“Let’s go back to the beginning.”

She glanced at me, brow furrowing. “The beginning?”

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