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She kisses me, and this time, I’m all there for it.
21
The Admission
BRIELLE
The villa’s living area feels like a holding cell as I pad across its cool tiles, tea mug clutched in my good hand. The dusk paints everything in shades of amber, turning the waiting women into portraits of anticipation. My bandaged arm throbs in rhythm with my heartbeat—a constant reminder of bulls and cobblestones and Hayes’s mouth on mine in the darkness of an SUV. I settle onto the edge of the couch, carefully arranging my bruised body into a posture that telegraphs “recovering but brave” as Skye suggested, and prepare for Luna’s return.
And I need to get my nerves under control, somehow. I might have to tell everyone the truth about last night, and the thought makes me want to throw up and jump out of my skin. I’m alsoextra emotional after seeing Chloe come back to the mansion, pack up, and leave. I hope her grandfather’s going to be okay, and I really like her. We said we’d keep in touch, and I hope that happens.
Serena glances up from her book, her eyes lingering on my arm. “You’re looking better,” she says. “Rested, at least.”
“Thanks,” I murmur, not mentioning that every square inch of my body feels like it’s been tenderized. “How was the flamenco lesson?”
“Incredible,” Annabelle says from her perch on the window seat. “I kept stepping on Hayes’s toes, but we just laughed about it.” Her cheeks flush, her freckles standing out against the pink. “He was very patient, and it ended up being a ton of fun.”
Serena catches my eye and mouths “You okay?” with genuine concern. I give her a nod.
Gabby enters with a glass of wine, her movements deliberate as she chooses the armchair directly across from me.
Kavita trails behind her like shadows, settling on the floor near Gabby’s feet, a calculating gleam in her eyes. “Shouldn’t Luna be back by now?” She glances at her watch. “It’s been hours. Wonder what they’re doing now.”
The implication hangs in the air, but I remind myself about what I told Hayes. I want him to explore the other women thenstillchoose me. Except he doesn’t know that Luna’s a liar.
I want to protect him from her, but I’m distracted by what I’m about to do with Skye’s coaching that’s playing on repeat in my mind.Own the truth before it owns you.But I manage to say, “I imagine talking, eating with no mics, then drinking. Like all these dates go.”
“I know, right?” Serena laughs.
“So true,” Annabelle says.
Before anyone can say anything else, the villa’s front door opens, and conversation halts. Luna enters, windswept andglowing, her casual elegance and slight dishevelment looks art-directed.
“Hey!” she says, dropping her wrap on a chair. “What a day.”
Everyone converges around her like she’s a magnet, throwing questions about the date, the dancing, the food. Luna’s responses are animated and detailed—the passionate instructors, the intimate tapas dinner, the walk through the city under the stars. But I notice how her eyes skip over me each time they sweep the room.
“And Hayes?” Annabelle’s voice is tinged with that mixture of competitiveness and genuine curiosity unique to this bizarre dating experiment. “How was he?”
Luna’s smile shifts, becomes something more private. “Amazing. He’s just such a thoughtful, deep, and kind-hearted guy.” She sighs. “We had a serious connection today. I think he finally saw the real me.”
The words land like tiny darts. I take another sip of tea, ignoring the twinge in my arm. “That’s wonderful.” I hope my voice is steadier than I feel. I’m so furious at her for lying to me, but I can’t get into any of that now. “I’m glad you had a good time.”
Luna finally meets my eyes, something complicated flickering across her face. “Thanks, Brielle. How’s your arm?”
“Better,” I lie, because what else can I say? That it hurts like hell? That every throb reminds me of Hayes’s hands on my skin in that SUV? That I’m terrified I’ve ruined everything by crossing lines that, despite feeling so right in the moment, have now created this chasm now.
“Good,” she says, her tone suddenly flat. “Good to hear.”
The artificial politeness hangs between us, and it feels like something between she and me shifted on her end. I know it has on mine, but she doesn’t know that I know the truth abouther, so it has to be something else. I have no idea what, but my stomach makes a nasty churn.
“Luna,” Gabby says, her voice honey-sweet, “did Hayes mention what he did last night with Brielle? After the hospital, I mean.”
“Yeah, really,” Kavita adds.
Luna’s expression freezes before she smooths her features into careful neutrality. “No. Why?”
“Just curious.” Gabby’s eyes gleam.