Page 115 of The Grand Ruin: Lance & Scarlet-Part One

Jesus Christ, Scarlet. She just lost her studio.

Nina chuckles, and I relax a little. “Speak for yourself. Did you get the forms from the university yet?”

“Yes, I have, actually.” A lie. The application forms Nina gave me on my birthday weren’t the right ones, so she’s spent the last few weeks telling me to go and get the right ones. “But I won’t be starting until next September. I want to be here for Dad.” I appreciate what Nina’s doing, but I’m not ready to leave Dad. He needs me right now. Telling her I have the forms is a little white lie and it will pacify her for now.

“I know, sorry. I won’t bring it up again—not unless you want to talk about it. I’m just about to go to the gym.”

How do I get her out of that? Exercise is her thing. “Ugh, boring. I’m trying to strip wallpaper. I was looking for a willing accomplice…”

“I don’t think I’d be much help, Scar. I told you I’m horrific at DIY.”

“It’s stripping wallpaper, you’ll do great. I’ll cook tea after to say thanks.”

“I don’t even—”

“Leaving now to pick you up! Are you at Mason’s?”

I already know you’re not.

“No.” She laughs. “I am staying at the girls’ apartment.”

“What? Why?”

Maybe I should let go of medicine and explore my acting career instead.

“I’ll send you the address.”

I smile as she hangs up.

Perfect.

Now I’ve just got to act surprised when she gives me all the details.

TWENTY

Scarlet

I’ve not stopped talking from the minute Nina got in the car to the minute we finished up in the pink room—it’s currently green, but it will be pink soon.

Nina’s been a trooper, but she wasn’t lying when she said her DIY skills are terrible. When I caught her trying to peel wallpaper with a kitchen knife, I took the makeshift weapon away and found her the scraper instead.

It was fairly easy to convince her to come out to the estate for the day. Did I have to pretend I had no idea what was going on with her and Mase until she told me herself? Yes. But until Lance speaks to Mason about us, I can’t tell Nina what’s going on. It doesn’t feel right.

It was late when we eventually sat down for dinner. Dad convinced me to set up the table outside, wanting to enjoy the last of the late evening sun. He seemed to have a spring in his step today, and I can’t help but think it’s because Nina’s here.

“I need to call a taxi.”

I close the double doors to the terrace and see Nina digging in her purse for her phone. We’ve polished off a bottle of wine between the two of us, but I can tell it’s gone straight to her head.

A pang of disappointment settles in my gut at the thought of her leaving. “Just stay. I can drop you home in the morning.”

She smiles, dipping her head. “No, Mase would lose his head if he knew I was here.”

I wave her off, heading into the kitchen. “Screw him. How would he even know?”

Nina’s a friend of mine now. My brother can go suck it if he doesn’t like it.

“I should go home.” She rolls her lips, and I know she wants to stay.

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