Page 51 of The Grand Ruin: Lance & Scarlet-Part One

The doors ping and slide open. Before I can even think to say anything, to call him back or fix his unbuttoned shirt, he’s gone, striding out into the living room and joining the others on the sofa.

I take off up the stairs to my bedroom, quickly going to the en suite.

Lance

I thought I’d be fine. Until she fucking smiled at me.

Scarlet

We kissed.

I run my fingers over my lips as I stare at myself in the bathroom mirror. My cheeks are flushed, and I fan my face, not wanting to mess up my makeup by dampening my cheeks with cold water. But I need it. I need a cold shower at this point.

My phone pings in my cardigan pocket, and I pull it out.

Asshole CFO: Do I need to come and find you, or are you going to be a big girl and come back downstairs?

Crap. I’m acting like a teenager that’s never been kissed.

Scarlet: I’m coming

It’s gone midnight when we eventually go to bed. I walk arm in arm with Megan down my brother’s landing, trying not to make a sound as we search for Lucy. “She’s with Elliot!” Megan hisses.

“No, she isn’t.” I chuckle. “Elliot’s in the room next to Nina and Mase.” I push on one of the eight bedroom doors and smile. “See. There she is.” Lucy is curled up in the middle of the large bed. “There’s another spare room if you want it?”

“I promised her before we came that we’d share,” Megan tells me, stepping into me and giving me a hug. “I hope you had the best day, Scar. Welcome to our chaos.”

“I have my own kind of chaos, so….”

“It’s why we like you.”

She says good night and closes the door, and then I make my way to my room, a heavy feeling weighing on me. Tomorrow’s so close, and I don’t feel ready for the day to end.

“Lowell.” I turn at the sound of his voice. “Keep the noise down, yeah?”

I shake my head and dip it, smiling. When I look back up, Lance has already slipped inside his room.

Inside my own room, I take a shower, slide into the T-shirt Mason left out for me, and plait my hair in two French braids. It isn’t until I’m climbing into bed that I notice the box placed on my nightstand. It's gift-wrapped but has no tag.

I open it, finding a card inside.

Lowell,

I wasn’t sure what to get you, but I’m certain you haven’t attracted any cock in the last twelve months.

Enjoy.

Lance x

I pull out my phone and text him before unwrapping the box.

Scarlet: You got me a present?

What the hell?

I wait as three dots bounce.

Asshole CFO: It’s your birthday?

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