Page 57 of Relentless (The Titans of Founder's Ridge 2)

“Remember the last time we were getting ready together in here?” Lilith says from the doorway of the bathroom.

“Yes,” I smile at the memories of her eighteenth birthday. “That was such a great weekend.”

“Yeah, it was.” She walks over and rests her head on top of mine, smiling at our reflections in the mirror. “I’m so glad you’re staying here this summer. I miss you.”

Tears prick my eyes. “Same, but don’t be sentimental. I just did this flawless makeup,” I elbow her. “No tears allowed once lashes are applied.”

“That’s somewhere in the girl handbook, right? I never got my copy of that.”

“I have extras.” I take a look at what she’s wearing. It’s an improvement from the tank tops, ripped jeans, and dirty chucks she wore when we first met but not by much. She’s wearing black skinny jeans and a shimmery charcoal halter top, no jewelry, hair hanging down her back in waves, and minimum makeup. “Can I do a few things?”

“Why do you think I came in here to begin with?” She sits on the chair in front of the vanity. “Work your magic, woman.”

I start pulling her hair back for a high ponytail. She always looks amazing with her hair up.

“Do that thing that makes my face skinny.”

“Contouring?” I ask. “Your face is already thin, that’s not necessarily why you do it.”

“Whatever, just transform me.”

A few minutes later, I finish with everything. She looks flawless as usual, and taking in our side by side reflections, I remember how insecure I used to be about how I looked compared to her.

“You know what’s amazing?” I ask.

“What?”

“I can look at myself next to you now without thinking all sorts of negative things. I used to feel so self-conscious when we went out together.”

“Really?” Her brows furrow, and she turns to me. “Why?”

“The things my mom would say to me just sat around inside my head. I didn’t say anything to anyone, just internalized it all.” That was a realization that took months to come to in therapy.

“I had no idea.”

“No one did. Levi didn’t even know how bad it was.” I point my finger at her. “Don’t say anything to him, either.”

“No promises,” she says with a stubborn set to her jaw. “If he doesn’t stop being a dick, I’ll say whatever I want.”

“Saul’s got the car ready for you whenever you want to leave,” Con says, poking his head in the room. “I’m sending some security with you, too.” He and Lilith have a silent conversation that ends with him rolling his eyes and walking away.

We get to the restaurant, and Claire is already sitting at the table with her friend. They’re both slim and petite girls, obvious dancer bodies. Claire has the classic Volkov appearance, dark brown, almost black hair, green eyes, but where Connor tans, she has constant ivory skin. She almost looks like Snow White with that combination of features. I follow Lilith through the packed restaurant toward the girls.

“Hey!” Claire says giving both Lilith and I hugs. “It’s so good to see you, Ivy!”

“You, too.” I hug her back. We didn’t spend much time together, but there were times she was around my junior year. We always got along, especially rolling our eyes at the guys and commiserating about how irritating they could be.

“This is my friend, Friday,” she points at the redhead sitting beside her. “We’re at the academy together.”

“Hey y’all,” Friday says with a deep southern accent. “Nice to meet ya.”

“Same,” Lilith says with a smile as she sits.

I pull my chair out and sit. “Did you two just meet recently?”

“Yeah, we’re in the same modern ballet and contemporary classes at the academy,” Claire answers.

The four of us fall into easy conversation over dinner. Discussing summer and post-grad plans for Lilith and I. Claire and Friday excitedly share the details of their classes at the James Academy of Modern Ballet. Friday is especially hilarious with her crazy southern drawl and weird sayings.

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