Page 99

Wait, THE collection?

Lauren

Mm-hmm. So come on.

She can’t say, but I know she’s working on Mrs. Davis’s campaign outfits. She’s hitting all the campaign stops, and she doesn’t trust anyone but Lauren, because my sister makes her look appropriately bold, sexy, and sophisticated. I’m dying to see what she has planned.

That perks me up, and before I really make up my mind to go, I find myself in front of my closet. I jump into ripped jeans, a tight t-shirt, and a double-breasted jacket. I match it with pointy flats and dangling earrings. I add a little makeup around the eyes to hide the swelling.

I wish my stupid skin didn’t show when I’ve been crying. Twenty minutes later, I am walking through the doors of Autumn Lush. The scent of lemongrass hangs in the air, and in the waiting area past reception, a group of women chat and giggle.

The receptionist points me in the direction of the back. One of the women gasps, and then her voices drop to a whisper, “Is that Bougie Girl?”

Thank God for the huge shades that hide my eyes, because the next thing one of them would’ve asked is what the hell happened to my face.

The relief doesn’t last long because Lauren frowns the second I take my glasses off. “What’s wrong?”

I shake my head. “Nothing. It’s just one of those days.”

She puts the pen down and leans forward in her chair. “One of those days when you cry?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“You should tell me what it is,” she says. “If it’s a who, I’ll take my heels off, and we can go whoop them together.”

I laugh, but I’m touched. She’s a warrior for her people. This is why my brother worships the ground she walks on. “It’s no one. I put myself in situations, make dumb decisions, then wonder why it blows up in my face.”

“It’s called you’re a human being. How did Ollie mess up this time?”

I blink a couple of times, but she shakes her head.

“Don’t bother lying to me. Once we talk about putting ourselves in situations and decision making, it’s always about a man.”

I sigh. She’s right, and she knows what’s up, so there’s no point in denying it. “I’m starting to feel like his fallback girl.”

Her eyes round, then she stands and comes around the desk. “Don’t even joke about that. You’re definitely not that.”

“Think about it. I keep trying to pursue relationships with men who are definitely emotionally unavailable. Mateo, because he wanted to screw every girl that crossed his path. Now Ollie, because he doesn’t think I’m worth having on his arm.”

Her mouth goes agape. “Did he say that? Because if he did, he doesn’t need to worry about Chase. I can handle him on my own.”

I shake my head. “No. He doesn’t have to say it. I can tell this is going nowhere I want to be part of. I wouldn’t have been opposed to being friends with benefits, but that should have been worked out from the beginning. It’s too late for that now.”

“Tell me exactly what he did,” Lauren asks.

“He didn’t do anything wrong, really. The issue is…what he didn’t do.”

“Explain,” she demands.

“It’s in his actions, his words, and us. Everything is secretive. We can’t hang alone with Ayla because he’s afraid that if something goes wrong, then it will affect her. He doesn’t tell her anything about us. He’s not even gradually bringing us together. I don’t think he has the intention to.”

“Lux—”

I can’t stop now that I got started. “Don’t you notice it? He went on this trip and asked everyone, including you, to help with Ayla. Everyone but me. This would have been the perfect chance for her and me to spend time together and build on our relationship. She could’ve even stayed with me. You trusted me with Felix and Justin, but it’s like he thinks I’m going to damage the person he loves more than anyone.”

“Adri, Winter, and I have always noticed he’s overly cautious with Ayla, and we commended him for it. That said, you’re not just anyone. You two are dating, and he has to approach things differently now.”

“He’s not. But he did warn me about how much he guards her. He’s been consistent with that. I’m the one who keeps trying to change things that have already been agreed upon. I just didn’t realize it would drag on this long. And I can’t do this. I can’t be his secret. So, I got pissed this morning, and that’s never good because I get cold and emotional.”