Page 30 of Forgotten Deeds

Romeo nods, indicating the conversation’s over. “We’ll see you and Lily on Sunday.”

“Looking forward to it,” I say.

“Tell your wife I said I’m sorry,” Sammy taunts.

“For your limp dick? You can apologize to my mamá yourself.”

“Hey, don’t take the fun out of this bit,” he calls after me.

Chapter Thirteen

Lily

I’ve been a nervous wreck all afternoon, half expecting Darius to bail on us last minute. “Mama, you look pretty,” Iris says, seated on my bed watching her favorite big red dog cartoon.

“She does. Your mama is a beautiful woman.”

The sound of that gravely voice has me nearly dropping my lipstick. “How did you get in here?” I demand, spinning around.

“Darius!” Iris says excitedly, running over to his open arms. She stops abruptly—her sweet smile replaced by a look of terror.

“What’s wrong, rainbow goddess?” Darius asks.

She returns to my side, and I squat down next to her. “What is it, sweetie?”

“He has something scary on his arm,” she whispers to me.

“It’s alright. Just a tattoo,” I say, smoothing her hair.

“It’s scary,” she cries, hiding her face in the fabric of my dress.

Darius rolls the sleeve of his dress shirt down and buttons it to where his forearm is now covered. “There we go. All gone.”

Iris sneaks a peek, still holding onto my dress.

He grabs his phone and types something before looking back at us. “Ladies, something just came up. I have to take care of one little thing.”

“Of course you do,” I say bitterly.

“Be back in a few hours, and we’ll go out to dinner.”

“Don’t bother,” I snipe.

“Not a bother.” Darius either fails to notice my soured mood or chooses to ignore it. I’m not sure which one pisses me off more. He bows dramatically to Iris before walking out.

I angrily throw my makeup in my bag. “Mama, what’s wrong?” Iris asks.

“Oh, nothing, sweetie,” I say, taking a deep breath and calming myself. Unlike Kat, red flags are not my love language, and I should be grateful for the reminder. Yanking my dress over my head, I throw on a much more comfortable T-shirt and shorts.

We walk to the kitchen, and Iris spots the vase first. “Flowers!” She runs to the counter and touches a purple pedal.

“Those are irises,” I tell her.

“Flowers for my name!” she says excitedly.

“And so beautiful.” Damn Darius and his thoughtful gesture, only to pull a Harrison on us. “I’m going to do some work, and then how about we order pizza?” I suggest.

She pouts. “But I want to eat with Darius.”

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