Page 119 of Lies Like Love

The only reason I don’t say that out loud is because, whether I like it or not, she needs this.

She’s been sheltered from the truth her whole life, and this is her way of reclaiming her power. A way for her to hear the truth straight from their lying mouths. She needs to understand I’m not the only one who hurt her. Closure is within her grasp, and the worst thing I could do is take that away.

Besides, I still haven’t found anything to suggest her grandparents had anything to do with the photos that were sent to my phone. It’s possible they’re pawns as much as she is—even if they’re far from innocent.

Reaching for her hand, I draw the green diamond to my lips and kiss the spot it lives.

None of this matters because she’s mine.

While the barbells mark her body, this ring marks her soul. ‘Till death do us part, and even then, I refuse to let her go.

“We don’t have time for that.” I swear the girl reads my mind.

But as she tries to step back, I grip the flimsy fabric of her sundress and tug her tiny body against me. “We always have time for that.”

“Not today.” She frowns.

I hate that she’s right.

I hate that she’s going to brunch while I’ll be at the shop pretending like I’m not going out of my mind.

Time needs to make a decision—speed up or slow down. Anything to skip the hours in between this moment and seeing her later.

Tugging her hand, I lead her out of the bathroom. She might have spent years thinking I’m a master manipulator, but it’s nothing compared to what her family is capable of. They know her almost as well as I do, and they know exactly what to say to get her on their side. Ring on her finger or not, they’ll weave doubt.

Walking Fel out of my apartment is a death sentence for my sanity.

“Damn, Felicity. You look pretty.” Echo winks, when we reach the bottom of the steps. She’s perched against the brick smoking a joint.

Their friendship still bothers me, but at least I know what to expect with Echo. She’s only a bad influence to a certain extent because she doesn’t actually let shit happen to the people she cares about. Besides, the more eyes looking out for Fel right now, the better.

Fel swishes her dress with a twist of her hips before doing a little curtsy. “Thank you.”

“This is for you, I’m guessing.” Echo points to a car idling at the curb before taking another hit of her joint. “Square’s been staring at me for the past five minutes.”

I have no doubt about it. Not many people know what to make of Echo with her dual toned hair and tattoos. Especially people from Fel’s world.

Fel’s world.

It used to be mine once. My family had more money than hers. More prestige. More status.

More everything. And it was stained in blood.

“Oh, and Jude, your ten-thirty is here.” Echo lifts off the brick and puts out her joint, popping a piece of gum into her mouth.

Girl is the definition of having an oral fixation. Whether she’s smoking, chewing, or talking, her mouth is never not doing something.

“Be right in.”

Echo nods before disappearing into the shop, and I turn to Fel, who’s biting her lip once more. The sun is veiled in LA smog, giving her cheeks a warm glow that doesn’t bury her nerves.

“You’ll be here tonight.” It’s not a question because I refuse to entertain my fiancée sleeping anywhere else.

She nods, her eyes darting to the car, before looking back at me.

“I can go with you.” Doesn’t matter how many times I offer, she won’t say agree to it.

“I need to do this.”

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