Page 73 of The Spring in My Heart

I wince. “He owed me from a time he made me cry when he risked his life. I am really good at saving my bargaining chips for when I need them.”

“You should’ve let him get Mateo one good time.”

“The pain goes away, but now he doesn’t have me, and that’s going to hurt way more.” And I love that I can say that with my whole heart.

Lauren smiles. “I love that. And you know what? Game’s over for him, and you have a better prospect for the next one.”

“A baseball pun?”

She chuckles. “Because Ollie used to play and was very good.”

“Yes, I heard?—”

Our car comes to a full stop, and flashes start going off. There are photographers outside taking photos, and annoyance has my eyes rolling. I turn to Lauren. “This is Mimi’s doing.”

She looks surprised, but her smile is a little tentative. “You’re used to this.”

And she’s not.

I push my shoulders back and smile at her. “We look gorgeous, and your idea is genius. Let’s go have fun with it. When you look at the camera, picture my idiot brother’s eyes. You know, the one that makes you happy.”

She smiles again. “I can do that.”

I walk out of the limo first and hold out my hand for her. We pose, giving the photographers some fun shots.

“Bougie Girl, do you have a date tonight?”

I look at Lauren and say, “Yes, my sister. Isn’t she gorgeous?”

We walk inside the building and head for the elevators.

“That was fun,” Lauren says.

Five minutes later, we’re on the top floor and walk into Innuendo. The place is beautifully done in 20s-style decor paired with lush plants and oversized chandeliers, but as we’re shown to our table, my gaze is beyond the glass walls onto the view of the city. Baltimore is lighting up the beautiful night. The city is beautiful and vibrant tonight.

Mimi stands as soon as we approach, leaving someone mid-sentence. She runs to hug me like we haven’t seen each other in years.

“Look who’s here. The woman of the hour.”

Everyone smiles, and she moves closer and presses her cheek to mine. A man two tables away takes a picture of us.

Ah, fuck. I need to warn Lauren, but before I can move, Mimi kisses both her cheeks and guide us to sit down.

“Lauren, I want you to know. I’m not holding a grudge. I’m just green with envy,” Mimi says, the pageant smile frozen in place.

The crew laughs.

I lean over. “She means because you married Chase.”

Lauren’s smile is soft, but there’s pleasure in her eyes. “Thank you, Mimi. He’s high maintenance, trust me.”

“What kind?” my makeup artist says. “Because I could be his repairman, his mechanic…I would even do floors—whatever he or his brother needs.”

She throws her head back and laughs.

“This is so gross,” I say and take my place, leaning to whisper in Lauren’s ear. “Mimi’s got someone taking photos of us and the whole table.”

“Is that why she’s smiling with her full mouth, but her eyes are dead?”

---