Page 74 of Lush

“You know gangsters?” wide-eyed, Noelle asked incredulously.

“Noelle, that’s outdated. ‘Street consultants,’ babe. Keeps it classy,” Gigi quipped from behind the curtain. “Am I sexy?”

She dramatically yanked open the curtain, showing off a sparkly dress that was way too tight. Walter let out a little “arff” from my lap, his old body wiggling when he saw her.

“I think Walter’s already given his answer.”

Gigi blew Walter a kiss. “You’re such a good boy, hyping up your mama.”

Harold is sleeping with Blair.The epiphany was jarring and unexpected. I had no clue how to tell Reese. He’d lose it, and that would be the end of his already fragile relationship with his father.

Gigi twirled, admiring her reflection.

“Sexy.” Noelle nodded. “Very, very sexy. But this is what you want to wear for church?”

“It’s not for church.” Gigi giggled. “I lied to get you here.”

“What is this for, then?” Noelle asked.

“Court.”

Not court again.

“Don’t tell me you’re still stealing?” I asked while Noelle’s eyes widened.

“First of all,that wasone time.” Gigi glared at me. “It was adare.But no, I’m not the one in trouble. Thanks for that vote of confidence, big sis.”

I sighed. If Toby knew something, I was going to find out.

“Since y’all so damn nosy, I’m supporting my homegirl. She was doing a hundred in a thirty-five zone, but only because she knew my IBS was acting up. How can I not support?”

Walter let out a small bark.

“That’s right, Walter baby. Anyway, I’ll change. I didn’t love the look on y’all’s faces.”

“We’ve been here for hours, Gigi!” I called angrily as she shut the curtains.

My mind wandered. I had to talk to Blair. The idea felt suffocating. Maybe Reese was right. But what if it wasn’t her, and I tipped my hand? The lilies and hidden camera felt too deliberate to ignore. Was this payback? Was I overthinking again?

No, I wasn’t overreacting. I had to trust my instincts. They’d never failed me before—at least, not when it mattered.

Noelle pushed a piece of hair behind her ear. “You alright, Laurene?”

I scanned the boutique. Nobody looked out of place.

“Noelle, I—” A heavy feeling constricted my throat. I took a deep breath to center myself. “I need to talk to you about something important.”

“What’s up?”

I counted back from ten as I petted Walter.“Someone’s trying to blackmail me.”

For a moment, her face froze in disbelief. Then, to my horror, she let out a bright, incredulous laugh. “No way. You’re messing with me, right? Who blackmails someone these days? Isn’t that, like, old-school villain stuff?”

Her reaction was so Noelle—earnest, a little naïve, but with just enough edge to keep me from rolling my eyes.

“I wasn’t honest about everything that happened on the boat with Conrad…”

“You’re serious.” Noelle sat up straighter, her usual lightness replaced by sharp focus.

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