Page 100 of Beautiful Defiance

34

LEIGH

There’s a knock on my door. Huh. That’s odd. Well, it’s not. Ever since that TMZ article blew up on the internet, there’s been a line of people at my door.

First, Thomas. He insisted he give me the birds and the bees talk. Awkward. Next was Eleanor and Hannah wanting the scoop on my hot billionaire boyfriend. After that, Red, Rue, and Shay stopped by. They brought Winslow. He had demanded he meet the newest addition to their “crew.” Nice. I liked him instantly, pairing him in my mind with Sorrow.

With his light-blond hair and her raven locks, they would be day and night. The dark knight climbing the tower to rescue his princess. I’ll have to show Sorrow a picture of him when I go over later tonight. It’s her birthday, and I have a gift, plus I’m baking a cake.

I hurry to the door and yank it open, thinking it’s Miles. His father is closing the diner tonight, and Miles was stopping by with shakes. Cake and shakes for Sorrow’s birthday. Yum.

Except it’s not Miles. It’s Seven.

“Seven, what are you doing here?”

When Maddox dropped me off at my place and insisted he walk me to my door, I knew there was an ulterior motive. He wanted to try, for the fifth time, to convince me to go speak with Seven. Uh-uh. It wasn’t me who ended the friendship. Seven did. If he has something to say, he can do it to my face rather than blow up Maddox’s cars.

“I brought you these.”

He tips his head at the ground. I step forward and peek around the door. The outside lights are on, and they highlight the rose bushes in these cardboard planters as though to say, “Ta-da, he comes bearing gifts.”

“They’re ready to plant. Tell me where and I’ll dig the holes.”

I straighten and cross my arms. “It’s six and I have somewhere to be.” Nonchalant. Not affected at all by his gift.

“Where?”

But goodness, those puppy eyes. Jesus.

“A friend’s.” Oh, thank God my voice is steady.

“A guy’s?”

I tip my chin. Am ready to tap my feet on the floor. “It’s none of your business. Again, why are you here?”

“Can I come inside?” He shoves his hands inside his pockets and pulls his shoulders inward, looking broken and defeated.

“Seven, it’s not a good idea.”

“Leigh, please. Give me five minutes of your time. That’s all I’m asking for.”

“Five minutes.” I step aside and wave him through. He plops down on the couch and stretches out his long legs. I offer him soda or water.

“Water’s good. Thanks, Leigh.”

I bring him a glass of water and pop open the tab of my can of soda. I sit on the far corner, opposite him.

“Smells good in here. Whatcha baking?”

Small talk is good.

“Angel food cake. It’s my friend’s eighteenth birthday.”

“Cool. That’s nice of you.” He wipes his palms on his pants. Up. Down. Up. Down.

Is Seven nervous?

“You owe Maddox an apology, Seven.”

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