Page 69 of Spark

Laila asks me what’s wrong, so I tell her about the text, and both women console me.

“Don’t worry,” Laila says. “I’m sure Kendrick will be happy to let you continue staying at his place.”

“I hate inconveniencing him, though. He’s been sweet about it, but I’m sure he’s dying to get his life back.” I put my phone down. “Laila, would it be possible for me to stay in one of your guest rooms, if Kendrick seems at all stressed when I tell him about this?”

“Shoot. We’ve got a full house right now, honey. We’re packed to the gills with my entire extended family.”

“You are? Who’s staying with you?”

She rattles off a list of names, and, yup, it definitely sounds like there’s no room for me. Not even onher couch.

“I’m surprised everyone came to town to visit while you and Savage have been shooting such long days for the show.”

“That’s why they all came. Because I told them they’ll have the house to themselves while we’re at work. It’s like a beach vacation for them.” Laila points at my phone. “Why don’t you text Kendrick and see what he says? I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to have you stay for as long as you need.”

“He’llsaythat, for sure. But I really don’t want him to feel secretly stressed out.”

Laila shoots me a look that says,You’re dumb as a box of rocks. But what she says is, “I guess there’s only one way to find out.”

I grab my phone and quickly type out the message:

Me: Bad news. My place is gonna take another week. Are you okay with me staying that whole time? If not, I’m perfectly happy to make other arrangements.

I don’t know where Kendrick is currently being held captive in Reed’s massive estate, but wherever it is, and whatever he’s doing, he replies instantly:

KC: Stay as long you want, cutie. If there’s another delay, no need to even ask me. My home is yours, babe.

After reading Kendrick’s sweet reply, I read it to Laila andthe stylist, and we all agree he’s a total sweetheart. “The best friend, ever,” I murmur.

“Arms up, please,” Laila’s stylist mutters. “I need to sew something down next to your zipper.”

Laila dutifully raises her arms and turns around, and the stylist gets to work.

As she’s standing like a mannequin across the room, Laila says to me, “I’m sure Kendrick is genuinely over the moon to find out you’ll be staying with him longer.”

My heart lurches. “Why do you think that? Did he say something?”

She pauses. “No, nothing specific. Just that he’s been having lots of fun with you there.”

“When did he say that?”

The stylist taps on Laila’s shoulder, signaling she’s finished with her task, and Laila lowers her arms. “When you and Kendrick arrived here today, I asked him how things have been going this past week with ‘Ruby the Roommate,’ and he said it’s been fun. A blast, actually. That was the word he used.”

I try to mute my excitement and speak casually. “It’s been just like old times.”

“Kendrick didn’t need to tell me you’re having fun, though. You were both walking on air when you got here, so I figured things have been going well.”

“Well, yeah, we’re both excited to be on the show—especially together.”

“Mm hmm.” She sits in an armchair. “It sure seems like you and Kendrick have gotten even closer this week, if that’s possible.” She smiles. “‘Cutie. Babe.’ Kendrick sure used a lot of endearments in one short text to you.” I look down at my phone—at the text message Kendrick sent me a moment ago. I didn’t even realize he’d called me those things, because it’s so par for the course with us.

“We’ve always used endearments. That’s not new to this week.”

“Mm hm.”

Laila looks like a cat with a canary—like she knows something I don’t. But before another word is exchanged, there’s a knock on the door, and a male voice asks if he can come in. When we say yes, The Man with the Midas Touch himself, Reed Rivers, enters our makeshift dressing room looking every bit like the young billionaire he is.

“Wow, Laila. You look beautiful.” His gaze fixes on me. “Who the fuck are you and how’d you get into my house?”

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