Page 39 of Crossing the Line

Treasure smiles, flapping her eyebrows at me. “Thank you. And you’re not dull.”

I shake my head resolutely. “Oh, I’m dull.”

“No, you’re not,” Lake chimes in.

I’m ready to change the topic of conversation.

“You’re just going to have to move out of Xander and Heartly’s penthouse, like, five minutes ago.” Treasure leans in closer to me to whisper, “Especially if you’re going to keep fucking Hercules Lord.” She sits upright, smirking like she has me in checkmate. “I saw that kiss. The two of you had sex last night, didn’t you?”

Lie, Paisley.

“Wait,” Lake says with a start. “There’s an apartment for sale in my building. It’s not as luxurious as where you live now, but it’s modern contemporary and has lots of bells and whistles because a Wall Street guy turned artist lives in it. But he’s going back to Wall Street, and he’s putting the apartment up for sale soon. I can get you in to see it before he puts it on the market.”

“Ooh, we like the sound of that.” Treasure raises her eyebrows as her gaze passes over me and then lands back on Lake. “Which building is it?”

Lake tells her.

Treasure jumps suddenly. “Oh my God. Do you know Davey Yee? Used to be a Wall Street guy but quit to become a sculptor.”

Lake nods excitedly. “It’s his…” She gasps. Her mouth stays stuck open as she stares at something behind Treasure. “Oh no.”

Treasure and I turn to see what or who she’s warning us about. I slowly fill my lungs with air as my head feels like it’s detaching from my neck and floating like a helium balloon.Oh nois right. Hercules doesn’t see me yet, but tonight he earns a ten out of ten in the looks department. He’s wearing dark pants that fit his thighs like a glove.So scrumptious…His hair is combed neatly. I bet he’s wearing that citrusy cologne that I love so much.

I push the air I’ve been holding out of my throat and finally expand my view to see Lauren with him. My shoulders cave in as my heart takes a beating.

“Orion?” Treasure winces.

As soon as she says that name, Hercules’s panicked eyes lock on to mine. What was shaping up to be a great night of girl talk has just been flushed down the toilet.