Page 86 of Crash

LUKE

“I’m so happy, Luke. I’ve never been this happy before, and I just know that something or someone is going to come along and fuck it all up.” Her words from last night play over again in my mind.

Despite changing the subject whenever I mention moving in with me, things have been perfect. The creator has offered me the guesthouse. Even though the main house will be mine when I turn twenty-five, nothing else will change. My parents will continue to live there, and I can either live there with them or stay in the guesthouse. On the upside, Vivi has agreed to help me decorate the place.

“I can’t believe we overslept,” she says as she jumps out of my car.

I grab her hand and we briskly walk to the building.

“I’ll bring you some coffee,” I say as I help her with her coat. I run to the kitchen to find that someone has had bagels delivered. While I make her coffee, I toast and put extra cream cheese on her cinnamon raisin bagel.

“You’re the best,” she says when she sees her breakfast. She offers me a bite before taking a small bite of her own. When the phone rings, she signals for me to come closer, and she wipes some cream cheese off the side of my mouth. When she mouths ‘I love you.’ I kiss her cheek and leave her to her work.

With Vivi at another therapy session this afternoon and Jake, Dad, and Troy at a meeting offsite, lunch is a sad and lonely affair for me. I pull out my phone and scroll through the pictures from our weekend in New York two weeks ago.

I smile at the selfie of us in Central Park. Despite the sunshine, the redness of our cheeks reveals it was a blustery cold day. I make that one my background photo and continue to scroll when the door of my office opens.

“Are you back already, love?” I ask, looking up expecting to see Vivienne, but finding Tori’s cold eyes instead.

CHAPTER 49

VIVI

“Dammit”, Colleen hisses as I walk behind the desk. She’s craning her neck as she grabs the phone, but I can’t see who or what has caused her frustration. “That bitch is back and ran down to Luke’s office.”

“What bitch?” I ask, immediately eyeing the sign-in log. Victoria Palmer. My blood goes cold at the sight of her name. Knowing Luke was in love with her and bared himself to her makes me sick to my stomach.

“I’m calling security,” Colleen says as she picks up the phone. I lay my hand on hers, stopping her.

“Don’t do that. I’ll go down and handle it.”

“She’s after your man, Vivi. Kick her ass. She’s wearing so much makeup, she looks like a clown.” Despite the speed of my pulse, I take solace in Colleen’s loyalty to me. I put my coat away, go to the kitchen and make a cup of coffee for Luke, and pray Victoria Palmer won’t give me a reason to throw the hot liquid in her face.

I slow my pace as I approach his office. I stop outside the open door, out of sight, and listen to the conversation.

“Iamback. For you.” There’s a fakeness about her voice as if she’s trying for contrition that she does not feel. “I’ve missed you.”

I count to ten to calm my temper and step inside the office. His eyes light up when he sees me, and I quickly cross the room and put the coffee next to him before turning my gaze on his ex.

“A coffee would be great,” she says, tossing her long curls. “Is there a cappuccino machine in the building? I’ll take one with soymilk. Extra foam.”

Luke’s cheeks redden and his normal friendly demeanor is now borderline hostile.

“Right now!” she says when I don’t make any move to leave the office. “It’s so hard to find good help. Baby, can you tell her to go so we can finish our conversation?”

“Baby?” I say as I take a step towards this woman. Luke grabs my wrist and pulls me onto his lap.

“Victoria, the last time you were here, I told you never to come back.”

Realization dawns when she sees me on his lap, but she steels her shoulders and continues.

“Look, I know I messed up. I know I hurt you, but I wasn’t ready for that, Lucky. I can make it up to you. Let me have a chance.” What the hell was she not ready for? Was he asking her to move in and get married too? “You won’t even take my calls or answer my emails.”

“Do you not see me sitting on his lap?” I ask. Luke’s strong grip is the only thing keeping me from getting in her face. His grip tightens when I try to leave his lap.

“Leave so I can talk to him! Lucky, can you ask her to leave, please?”

“You do know that word?” I say to her.

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