Page 10 of Wild and Bright

I clench my teeth, trying without success to get my rapid breathing under control.

A reckless thought occurs to me, and everything around me grows still. My breathing steadies, and the roaring in my ears fades. I can even hear the gentle murmur of a car engine a few houses down.

“How much are you paying her?”

When his brows draw together, I realize how little he’s thought this through. It fills me with triumph.

“I’m going to cover her student loans every month.”

“So what, like…a thousand a month? That doesn’t seem like much given your income. She’d have a right to expect a lot more from you.”

And I could give her much more.

His frown deepens. “It’s a lot more than a thousand. Her student loans are, like, well over two-hundred K total.”

“You’re not doing it.”

“Okay, Mom.”

The ice in his tone doesn’t bother me this time, because I know exactly what I’m going to do.

This has been brewing for five years. No. Much longer than that. My obsession with her began when I was too young to understand what it meant. When she could be twenty feet away, and she’d move or talk or laugh, and my gaze would find her in an instant, as if it had a will of its own. When I wanted to chase her and kiss her and touch her skin. When I wanted to watch her tongue while she licked her ice cream cone and inhale her scent when I hugged her.

The only time I’ve ever felt like I hated Hunter was when she gave him the things she never gave me—the warm smiles and full-body hugs and pet names like “darling”.

But I won’t have to feel that way anymore.

I’m going to conquer this once and for all.

FOUR

Lauren

Logan stretches his long arms over the edge of the hot tub before settling one hand on Leilani’s shoulder. When his hand drifts to her boob, he gives it a squeeze.

Armaan grimaces. “Logan, no one wants a peep show. Save it for the bedroom.”

Logan smiles lazily. “It was a reflex.”

“It’s not his fault,” Leilani says. “We both have a public-sex kink.” As usual, Leilani’s delivery is so stoic, it’s impossible to tell if she’s joking.

Armaan grimaces before turning to me. “I don’t know how you stand it. I think they’ve been worse since they got back together.”

I smile. “I’m used to it.”

“I thought you said Hunter was coming over,” Logan says. “Or should I say your new boss?”

Armaan smiles. “Or should we say your future husband? I guess that would make him your fiancé.”

Just as I open my mouth to answer, I hear footsteps along the walkway of the front yard, and my stomach flips. “That’s him. You guys, I’m about ready to seal my fate.” I shoot Logan a probing look. “I want you to make it sound like I’ve gotten way better at cooking.”

Logan’s brow furrows “He’ll never believe it.”

“Probably not, but do your best. Talk up my crockpot Mac ’n’ Cheese.” Water slushes down my skin as I leap out of the tub. I’m so eager, I nearly slip on the concrete as I walk to the back gate. “Hunt!” I shout. “We’re in the spa!”

Something about the sound of his footsteps sends a prickle of foreboding down my spine.

“Hunter’s not coming.”

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