Page 143 of Lovers Like Us
I near and clasp his hand. We draw in and pat each other’s shoulders. “Thanks forcoming.”
Jack smiles brighter. “Looking forward toit.”
He means the FanCon. I invited him on tour with us. The last Q&A derailed after a fight between Charlie and me. We needed a better moderator. Someone we couldtrust.
Jack was the only name on thelist.
Throughoutyearsof time—while he’s been an exec producer onWe Are Calloway—I’ve talked about painful memories, spilled secrets to him, and at last minute, I told Jack,don’t airit.
None have everleaked.
Since he plans to sleep on the tour bus, I decided to share the secret about me and Farrow. The first thing he said after I told him I’m in a real relationship wasyou deserve it.I don’t know. It fucking got tome.
Jack slings the duffel on a bed. “I thought you’d need some toothbrushes, deodorant, some extra clothes, andfood.”
Oscar stands up. “You’re now my favorite person, Highland.” He unzips the duffel and finds a bag of Doritos. Janie helps unearth the clothes and toiletries foreveryone.
Jack swerves, searching. “Where’sSulli?”
“Here.” Sulli is doing push-ups between the two beds. She rises to her feet and twists her dark hair in a high bun. “What’sup?”
His smile radiates. “Come here for asec.”
Akara casts a narrowed look at Jack. Theyou hurt her, you’re deadthreatunmistakable.
Sulli approaches Jack, our attention super-glued to them, and he lowers the pastrybox.
She smiles. “God, if you bought donuts, I could seriously fucking kissyou.”
Akara makes a face at Sulli. “Your first kiss fordonuts?”
“Uh, yeah,” she says like he’s being weird. “Not for payment, but donuts are happiness. Now dry cereal on a donut, that’sheaven.”
Jack grins. “It’s better thandonuts.”
Sulli snorts. “No fucking way.” She pauses. “Is it a waffle? Because that’s a close second, thenpancakes.”
“You’re off,” Akarasays.
Sulli swings her head to her bodyguard. “You know what itis?”
Heshrugs.
She breaks into a smile. “Okay, now I have to see.” She flips open the pastry box, her eyes lit. When she tilts the box a bit more, I catch sight of two-dozen turquoise cupcakes, iced together to form awave.
“Happy 20thBirthday,” Jack tellsher.
It’s February 4th. Our indoor waterpark plan to celebrate Sulli’s birthday pretty much died hours ago. To salvage the day, Jane has been trying to get a cakedelivered.
But Jack Highland beat us toit.
Sulli is lost for words, but then she starts with, “You didn’t haveto—”
“I didn’t,” Jack says and then nods to Akara. “When he found out I was coming by, he told me to pick up theorder.”
Correction, Akara Kitsuwon beat us toit.
Sulli looks overwhelmed. “Thanks,Kits.”
