Page 80 of Beautiful Sinners

I don’t know why I admitted that but if there was anyone who would understand, it would be her. It’s also nice to have another female to talk with about this stuff—and thinking that makes me miss Raquelle. I can’t wait to see her when we return to DF.

Andie bounces a few times when she flops backward onto the mattress. “Best friends to lovers. I love that. Do those hurt?”

She’s staring at my neck, not my burns, and I pull the collar up a smidge to hide the hickeys.

“No,” I lie because of course they do. It’s a good hurt that reminds me I’m alive and desired and loved. “Hendrix likes to mark me.”

Why the fuck did I say that? Shut up, Syn.

Eyes bright with mischief, Andie eagerly rubs her hands together. “Do tell.”

“That’s a huge no.” Changing subjects, I ask, “Do you have an extra phone I could borrow?”

She pops off the bed and disappears into the bathroom. “Didn’t Tristan give you the one I dropped off?” She comes back out carrying bottles of nail polish.

“He kind of went ballistic when he saw the text message from Evan, then went supernova when I told him Dierdre was heading to Ireland with Cillian,” I answer truthfully.

“I was wondering. You looked upset when you walked in. Will you tell me what happened?”

“Nope.” I smile, hoping it lessens the severity of my rebuke.

“Didn’t think so.” She smiles back.

Climbing on the bed once again, she gestures for me to join her. I play along, even though I have no idea what’s going on. I sit crossed-legged in front of her. She takes my hand, inspects the state of my nails, andtsks.

“Pick a color while I fix this disaster.” She takes the nail clippers and starts giving me a manicure. “I’m not going to get all up in your business. I hate when people do that. Just know that I’m here if you ever want to talk.”

My first instinct is to shut down. People can’t hurt you or disappoint you if you don’t give them the ammunition to use against you. It’s best to seal yourself off, never let anyone get close, and guard your heart behind an impenetrable wall made of steel.

“I appreciate that. This is all new to me, and I don’t know you, so please understand my wariness. I don’t trust easily.”

She nods. “Understood. And I get it because I’m the same. Offer still stands, though.”

I hand her the bottle of black polish that looks almost navy blue when the light hits it. “I’ve never had my nails done before.”

She flicks her violet eyes up at me. “My best friend Tessa and I used to do each other’s nails all the time. I’m surrounded by guys and testosterone twenty-four-seven and need something feminine to help keep me sane. Manis, pedis, makeup, perfume, clothes.”

Ah, the infamous Tessa who was supposed to do…something… for Tristan.

“I never had any friends growing up, but I did have a pet rooster.”

Her laughter has me suppressing a smile.

“No shit?”

I shrug a shoulder, a little embarrassed.

“That’s awesome.” Once she’s done with the clippers, she vigorously shakes the nail polish to mix it. “Liam says he wants a dog.”

“Which one is Liam?” I ask as she carefully swipes polish over my thumbnail.

“The guy on the couch next to Jax.”

Gray eyes. Dark hair. Gorgeous in a way that would have any woman stop in her tracks to take a second look.

Taking her up on her offer to listen if I wanted to talk, I ask, “How do you manage it?”

She finishes, and I blow on my nails to dry them, admiring how the color changes from dark blue to black and back again.

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