Page 96 of Kisses and Paperclips

Her voice rose again, sharp and sudden.

“Did you hear what the fuck I said?”

“I heard you.” I said softly. Loud and clear. And if I ever needed a sign to walk away from Julien… this was it. This was why I avoided messes, but messes always found their way to my front door.

“This is insane,” I muttered.

She straightened her blouse, smoothing invisible wrinkles like she hadn’t just flipped furniture and threatened my life. Then, in a voice so calm it was jarring:

“Good.” She turned on her heel. “I’ll see you at the office.”

???

We need to talk. In person. Office. 12 PM. Tomorrow.

That was it, that was all Julien texted.

No greeting. No explanation.

Just a command dropped into my notifications like he was still the one calling shots.

Nope. Fuck that.

I stared at the message, then dropped my phone onto my stomach, letting it bounce against the folds of my blanket. I was wrapped up in bed with a pint of butter pecan, the good kind, I hid behind the frozen peas so Zamir won’t find it. I was halfway through a movie about a crazy mother-in-law who terrorizes her son’s wife, and honestly, the timing felt a little too close to reality.

But apparently, I needed something to match the paranoia simmering in my body.

Another buzz.

I can see you read my text.

I took a big, defiant spoonful of ice cream. I deserved this. The sugar. The silence.

I wiped my mouth, then typed slowly.

I’m not coming into the office on a Saturday. I have personal obligations.

Three dots appeared immediately, then disappeared, then came back again.

Don’t play games with me, Serena. We need to talk. Be there, or I’ll drag your ass there myself.

I stared at the message. The audacity of these people. This was the second time in twenty-four hours I’d been threatened by someone in the Brooks family. And honestly? They didn’t even have to worry about it.

I didn’t reply. Just pressed play on my movie and leaned back deeper into the pillows. Let the melted ice cream coat the roof of my mouth while I stared through the screen.

I’d go, not because he told me to. But because I needed to end whatever this was. After what happened with Evelyn, it was crystal clear: there was no place for me in their world. Whatever Julien and I had, is over.

And this meeting would just make it official.

Chapter 15

Julien

I didn't bother with a suit.

This wasn't business, it was personal. The office was just a stage, where Serena might still feel some semblance of control before I dismantled it piece by piece.

She walked in like she'd dressed for war in skintight jeans that hugged every dangerous curve, a V-neck top dipping low enough to test my self-control. Flat shoes that somehow looked sinful on her, probably because everything about Serena turned functional into foreplay. Her hair fell in a sleek curtain, framing glossed lips I'd dreamed about tasting for months.

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