Page 42 of Lush

You might be wrong in all of this, Laurene.

CHAPTER 10

Reese

I descended into the marina,the sounds of creaking and smells of salt and diesel heavy in the air. Sleek yachts filled each slip, gleaming in the sun. I could still see Conrad out on the water, the rhythmic splash of oars echoing across the lake as he rowed with his team, his face set in fierce concentration. I followed the path to our slip.

It was still empty.

Conrad had a sleek, powerful boat. The way he’d handle that damn thing, like it was alive. He loved it more than anything. Hell, he cared for it more than me.

“Everyone on board!” Conrad called as he stood at the dock’s edge.

Music and laughter spilled from the raging engagement party; half the guests were up in the yacht club, and the other were giggling excitedly, coming down the wooden dock to the boat. Conrad smirked, his hand resting on the railing.

I watched him closely. I just wanted this night to be fucking over and done with. “You really think they’re gonna just let us go wild out there?”

“Relax. No one’s looking for trouble—unless you are.” Grinning, he turned his head toward me. “Dad may have an issue with you if you want to start a fight tonight of all nights.”

I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to snap. Just then Laurene came down the dock. I inhaled sharply, and the wind picked up, lifting her hair over her shoulders. We had a plan. I just had to do it.

“Damn, look at you,” he drawled, reaching for Laurene’s waist as soon as she was close enough. He tugged her in, his grip too casual, too possessive. “Did you wear this for me, baby?”

I froze.

Laurene stiffened before forcing a smile, but I caught it. The split-second hesitation. The way her eyes flickered toward me.

“You look tense, Reese. Maybe you should loosen up a little with one of these young ladies out here.” He tugged Laurene closer before he released her, shoving her toward the boat.

I moved before I could think, stepping into Conrad’s space.

“Put your hands on her like that again,” I murmured, “and I’ll break your fucking fingers.”

Conrad’s smirk wavered briefly.

Then it was back, wider, amused, like he wanted me to snap.

“Chill out,” he said, throwing up his hands. “When you get a fiancée, or someone to actually love you, then you tell me what to do.”

I didn’t blink, feeling the tension in my muscles.

Conrad clapped his hands, calling out to the group, “We getting on this boat or what?”

“You alright?” Laurene’s voice startled me.

I turned sharply, not realizing how close she’d gotten. She stood just a few feet away. The breeze tugged a strand of hair across her face, but she didn’t brush it away.

“I’m fine,” I mumbled.

“You don’t look fine.” Laurene hugged herself. “God, I thought…I thought I could handle this. But seeing it again…” She shook her head, blinking fast as she looked around. “What are we doing here?”

“You don’t have to be here, you know.” I didn’t want to be here but this was where everything started. “No one’s making you stay.”

Her jaw clenched, a muscle twitching in her cheek as she bither lip. Then she let out a slow breath. “And leave you to face this alone? I’ve done enough.”

My hand moved before I could stop it, brushing against her temple as I reached to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.What the hell was I doing?My fingers only grazed her skin, just the barest touch, but it was enough.

What does she want me to say? That I forgive her? That I don’t still feel it?

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