Page 105 of Scattered Glitter

“Shut up, idiot,” Rosalee interjects, rolling her eyes. “How about you tell her she looks beautiful instead?”

“I don’t have to tell her that she’s beautiful. She already knows…” He pauses, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip. “Both of you know you’re the most breathtaking girls in any room. Everyone turns their heads when you two walk in.” His eyes lock onto mine, something tender and intense in his gaze. “I’d rather tell her the things that make her unique. How brave she is, how smart she is, and how she lights up every place she walks into. She’s funny and sassy and always so damn strong.” He leans in then and rests his forehead against mine, and his next words are spoken so softly that I know they’re only meant for me. “She’s daring, she’s wild, and she’s trouble. Perfect for me.”

My heart swells with so much love it’s almost bursting.

“You’re perfect for me, too,” I whisper back, making him smile.

“All right, all right,” Rosalee says, groaning dramatically. “Enough with the sap. You’re gonna make me gag.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Koen

The road stretches ahead, headlights cutting through the dusk, and the Bronco is filled with Levi’s complaining. “They’re ruining everything!”

I roll my eyes, but there is something grounding about his antics. It reminds me of when we were kids, and he would make a big deal out of every scraped knee or broken toy. I was the one who’d always shrug it off and handle it, but I liked being the steady one for him. It feels like my purpose.

“Don’t be so dramatic, Dove.” I sigh, keeping my eyes on the road, even though I know Levi being theatrical is part of his charm.

Or at least, that’s what he keeps telling me.

“They spelled your fucking name wrong on the cake,” Levi snaps. “Can you believe that? We’re fucking celebrities, the building we’re in has our name on it, but they manage to get your name wrong.”

I’d dropped him off at the Lane Building on my way to pick up my Little Thief, and things have already gone to shit, apparently.

My fingers tap rhythmically on the steering wheel as a grin breaks through. “Well, it’s the Lane Building, not the Koen Building after all,” I mutter, turning onto the street that leads to Glitter’s apartment building. “Besides, you’re the important twin anyway.”

“It says, ‘Happy Birthday Levi and Ken.’ Who the hell is Ken?” I can practically see him standing there, glaring at some poor event planner, looking ready to set the place on fire over a typo.

They should be happy it’smyname they spelled wrong.

He lets out another irritated noise, and I can’t help it. I laugh. “Relax. Nobody will notice. And if it makes you happy, I’ll go by Ken from now on.”

“You know what would make me happy?” Levi shoots back. “To be as unbothered as you are for once.”

“Just parked in front of her building,” I say, changing the subject. Cutting the engine, I lean back in my seat and try to gather my thoughts.

I’m not unbothered byher, that’s for sure.

I’d never had an issue with manipulating people. It was always a means to an end. And hell, it’s what I do best, but something about involving her makes me uneasy. Maybe it’s because I know how it feels to be used, or I’m afraid she’ll realize what we’re really doing here.

There’s a beat of silence on Levi’s end, and when he speaks again, his voice is softer, more thoughtful. “If Nicholas doesn’t fall for her the second he sees her, I don’t know what we’ll do either.”

“Right,” I murmur, staring up at the building. Despite myself, a small sense of anticipation unfurls inside me, slowly suffocating the guilt.

“I mean, it worked for you, too,” Levi adds, his grin practically audible. “Ever since you saw behind the glitter, you were a goner.”

“Shut up.” I roll my eyes, but there’s no real heat behind my words. “Just make sure they’ve spelled my name right by the time I get there.”

Levi’s answering laughter is abruptly cut off as I hang up. I step out of the Bronco, the night air cool against my skin as I close the door.

The way she moved on the Strip and handled herself under pressure, it wasn’t just good, it was impressive. Professional yet playful. That kind of skill doesn’t just happen. It’s honed, earned through years of making split-second decisions and owning every single one of them.

She isn’t a showgirl who got lucky. She’s sharp, capable, and hiding more than we probably realize beneath that bravado.

Maybe she won’t make us crash and burn after all.

As I step up to the door, my phone buzzes repeatedly in my pocket. It’s the group chat with the guys.

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