Page 24 of Lush

“You’ve certainly moved up in the world, Dante. Last time I saw you, you were assistant to Mayor Johnson.”

“Thanks to your mother’s support,” he said smoothly. “Hard work and persistence pay off. I never thought I’d see your two families not trying to kill one another.”

His smile got wider, and I squinted at him.

“Quite the power move for our two oldest families. It’s gonna be different in town moving forward, huh?” Dante grinned at Laurene and then glanced at me. “I wonder what’s in store for Lush?”

“Don’t get cute, Castillo,” I said. “You’re already pushing it just showing up here.”

“Easy, Reese,” he said smoothly. “I meant business only. I don’t want to cause issues at Laurene’s homecoming party. But I hope to see more of you two soon.” Dante gave a final polite nod, that smile still glued to his face.

She looked thoughtful, her gaze following Dante as he disappeared into the crowd. My eyes caught on another man. Tobias Merrick. Laurene’s ex. He was leaning casually against the wall, as if he had every right to be here, his eyes locked on Laurene with an intensity that made my blood run hot.

Laurene was back, and every asshole was already crawling out from under their rocks to see her.

“Excuse me, may I please have everyone’s attention?”

Yvonne’s sharp, clear voice cut through the low hum of conversation like a knife. A hush fell as everyone turned.

“I want to express my gratitude to everyone for warmly welcoming my daughter Laurene back home.” The applause was polite, a ripple of sound that barely registered in the air.

Gone for six years. No explanations. No public statements. And now, just like that, Laurene King had returned.

“That’s not the only reason we are here tonight. The Kings and the Ashbournes are putting the past behind us. Again.”

Murmurs of disbelief rippled through the crowd.

“Tonight, we’re not just welcoming Laurene back…”

A beat.

A pause long enough for anticipation.

“We’re celebrating her engagement to Reese.”

The room erupted.

Someone dropped a glass, shattering the stunned silence. Gasps. A woman audibly choked on her champagne. Some laughed, but it was the uncomfortable kind, like they weren’t sure how to handle the situation. A man near the door sputtered, his voice a mix of disbelief and amusement, “Are you serious?”

I glanced at Laurene, but her expression was calm and unreadable.

“Is it possible for the happy couple to come up here?” Yvonne’s gaze locked on to us, and I knew there was no backing out now.

“Shall we?” I muttered, holding out my hand to Laurene, every inch of me aching to pull away.

Laurene briefly hesitated, then took my hand. We walked to the center of the room as Yvonne started droning on about tradition, legacy, and all that bullshit.

I tuned it out till Yvonne turned back to us, and she glared at me. “I said,can we get a kiss?”

Laurene looked just as shocked.

Then she glanced at me, her eyes darting away, a flicker of defiance fading into something softer—resignation. It shouldn’t have stung the way it did.

Without thinking, I leaned in, closing the space.

I gently raised her chin, buzzing with unspoken energy. I wish we weren’t doing this here. All I could remember was when I watched her with Conrad do the same thing. Seeing him kiss Laurene so confidently, his smirk while he held her waist like it was meant to be.

And now? Now I was him.

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