Page 118 of Lush

He raised an eyebrow. “So did you do what I asked?”

I knew this was coming.

“Yeah,” I said, keeping my tone even. “I did.”

“And?” His voice dropped, his jaw tightening.

“And there’s no plan.”

There had been a plan six years ago. Our plan now was to finally live for ourselves. That’s all he needed to know.

Erik straightened, his brows pulling together in disbelief. “Bullshit.”

“Listen,” I said. “She’s not plotting against your mom, or whatever you think is going on.”

“You don’t know her like I do,” he snapped. “Laurene doesn’t just come home for no reason. She’s got something up her sleeve, and if you can’t see that, maybe you’re not looking hard enough.”

“I know her better than you think, Erik. And I’m telling you, there’s no secret plan. She’s here because she wants to be. She’s staying because she wants to stay. And maybe it’s not about your mom, or business, or anything else you’ve got going on in your head.”

His eyes narrowed. “Then what is it about?”

“I love her.” I looked him in the eye. “I’m in love with her. And she loves me. That’s why she’s here. That’s why she’s not leaving Lush. She’s staying because we’re building something. Together.”

For the first time all night, Erik was silent.

“You lied to me, you twoweretogether before then.”

“I did what you asked. She’s not plotting.”

Erik stared at me, his jaw working like he was fighting back words. Finally, he took a slow breath, his eyes still locked on mine. “So that’s a yes.”

I just shrugged and let him think what he wanted.

He let out a low curse, turning away for a moment before spinning back to face me. “You better not fuck this up, Reese. If you do?—”

“I won’t. Because I love her.”

“Shit,” he muttered, shaking his head. “Youreallylove her, huh?”

“Yeah.” No hesitation in my voice. “I do.”

“I guess I got what I wanted in the end, huh?” Erik didn’t respond right away, and for a moment, the tension hung between us, thick and heavy. Finally, he nodded once,almost to himself. “Alright,” he said gruffly. “Guess that’s that.”

“Yeah,” I said, a small smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. “Guess it is.”

“Excuse me, gentlemen, are you gonna dance or just stare all night?” Noelle’s voice came beside us.

I saw Erik staring, totally dumbfounded, as Noelle spun in her pale pink bridesmaid dress and grinned brightly at us.

“Don’t all ask me at once,” she teased as she smoothed the skirt of her dress.

“Both of you go dance,” I told him. “Have fun.”

Erik gave me a hard look but offered his fist. I grinned and dapped him back.

“Don’t hold up the wall too long.”

He took Noelle’s hand, and they both headed to the dance floor.

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