Page 22 of Lush

“I didn’t mean it like that?—”

“I’ll tell her. I’ll tell your mom exactly what you’re up to. You tried to bribe me in the garden. That’s not a part of the rules, is it? Imagine what she’d do if she found out you wereusingher like that. That wouldn’t be good for you, huh?”

“If you expose me, you’re only exposing yourself.”

He leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. “And? You think I care now? There’s nothing left for me to lose. But you? I’ll make sure every second of your life is hell for you with me.”

“Reese—”

“You’ll feel every ounce of the pain you caused me.” His grin was all teeth. “So smile, Princess. Cameras are watching.”

CHAPTER 5

Reese

Beingnear Laurene felt like standing on the edge of a cliff. One wrong move, and I’d fall.

I used to love her—fucking love her—but now? Now I just want to tear her apart, piece by piece.

The high-pitched tittering of a group of women grated on my nerves as I stepped back into the crowded party. I should’ve known better.

She looked the same. Beautiful. Untouchable. Like she never fucking suffered for what she did to me.

“Reese!” Nina, my mother’s assistant, called. “Glad you could make it. Your mom and sister were worried you left.”

I tried to give a fuck about what Nina said, but my mind kept drifting back to Laurene—those big brown eyes, her soft voice wrapped around me, her scent. I can still remember the taste of her on my tongue.

Laurene still smelled like jasmine.

All it took was one breath, and I was twenty-five again, drunk off her, chasing a future that was never mine to have.

I should hate her. Ididhate her. So why did my fucking heart still recognize her?

I forced a smile. “How’s Mom?”

“Hello, son-in-law,” Yvonne interjected. Her gown swished as she moved in front of Nina. “Leaving already?”

Yvonne glared at Nina, who awkwardly bowed and quickly left.

“I’m not your mother, and I’m not here to coddle you. Look at these people.” Yvonne swept her hands over the crowd. “They are here for you.”

“So they know what’s happening tonight?”

“I may have misled with an invitation to Laurene’s homecoming party. We want to hold the surprise to the end, no?” Yvonne’s mouth thinned.

Guests drifted past, their curious glances lingering. A hushed murmur spread like a ripple through the crowd, heads turning, eyes narrowing when they saw Ashbournes and Kings talking in a room.In decades.

“Reese.” My father’s arm slammed into my shoulder, yanking me forcefully into his side. “I know you aren’t leaving, not before Yvonne can break the news to everyone.”

“There he is!” Mom looked radiant in her bronze gown, the rich fabric highlighting her blue eyes and perfectly styled sandy blond updo. She opened her arms, pulling me into a tight embrace—then pushed me away just as quickly.

“Mom,” I said, masking the sting of her sudden withdrawal.

“I told you he wouldn’t try to sneak out,” Jennie, my older sister, chimed in from beside Mom, waddling behind her.

Jennie was almost seven months pregnant, and getting closer to her leaving me with our father.

“Seems like everyone who matters is here.” Yvonne tilted her head, her gaze sweeping over us.

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