Page 94 of Breaking

Troy signalled for another glass of wine as Lila’s smile finally faltered.

“Well,” Lila said, standing a little straighter, “I just wanted to say congratulations. Even if success came… eventually.”

Jenna nodded graciously. “Thank you. Some things are worth waiting for. And earning.”

Lila gave a little nod and turned away, wobbling slightly in her heels as she walked back across the restaurant-directly into a waiter carrying a tray of espresso martinis. A spectacular splash ensued.

Jenna winced in sympathy, but only just. Grace let out a low whistle.

“Tragic. Someone should really write that into a cautionary fable.”

Troy chuckled and raised his glass toward Jenna. “To earned things.”

She clinked her glass with his, smiling as warmth bloomed in her chest. Lila had been chaos once. But now? She was a passing footnote in a chapter Jenna had rewritten entirely.

And this time, the story was hers.