Page 15 of Lavish

I was coming for the Kings. I was coming for Serena. I was coming forLush.

And they better hope they fucking survived.

And I knew there was one property she wanted in town that could make her. ThatIwas going to take.

I couldn’twaitfor that moment. I couldn’t wait to finally say it.

Told you so.

CHAPTER 3

Serena

“Perfect,”I mumbled, taking another sip of wine as I looked around the room.

It was a beautiful sunny day for Laurene and Reese’s baby shower.

A low hum of conversation filled the air as I surveyed my hard work. Delicate pink roses and lilies adorned the table, their fragrance mingling with the baked goods from Laurene’s favorite bakery in Paris I had shipped overnight as a surprise for her.

There were even more flowers set around a sign that took me nearly an hour to pin up against a backdrop of pink and gold tulle and a balloon arch that announced “It’s a Girl!”

My task was simple: ensure Laurene’s special day went off without a hitch. Keep everything in line. Keep everyone happy.

“Rena! Chill the hell out, have you had one of these macarons? They good as hell,” Gigi yelled out to me, strutting in her pink wrap dress and too-high heels snacking on a dessert. “Imma need you to order me like a dozen of these after, okay? Have a shot of tequila, unwind. You got a joint?”

“I don’t have time, Georgiana,” I muttered to my little sister, rolling my eyes.

“Why you gotta call me by my government name?” She pouted, nudging me with a shoulder bump. “You been acting like you the one pregnant. C’mon, chill. It’s a happy day. When was the last time you got some head?”

I whipped my head toward her. “What? Lower your voice.”

Gigi could just float through life, pretty and messy and somehow still adored.

She didn’t stay up until three a.m. arranging pink and ivory gift bags.She didn’t double-check the caterer or make sure the press stayed out or redirect Aunt Eloise when she started talking about how Laurene “used to be so tiny.”

No. That was me. Always me. No one else in the family besides Mama had the ability to be controlled and disciplined like me.

Gigi sipped champagne like it was juice and took another bite of the macaron while she shook her head. “I’m telling you. Keep frowning, you’re gonna get lines that Botox ain’t gonna get out.”

I mentally reviewed the timeline for Laurene’s gift opening and made a note to check whether the staff had brought in the custom bassinet.

“I’m serious. I got something in my flask that’ll put some hair on your chest.” Gigi leaned forward, showing the metal bottle stuffed down between her boobs.

“I don’t want your warm boob flask liquor.” I rolled my eyes at her, and she linked her arm with mine as we scoped out the crowd. It was just like with Laurene’s first engagement party years ago. Everyone kissed ass to be here and be nosy. Vultures.

How did I get through mind-numbing events like this?

Miles.

He wasn’t even here, and somehow, he still managed to hijack my thoughts. Typical.

“Are you suuure?” A sly grin spread across her face. She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I bought this absinthe when I was in Spain last year, and I swear I was hearing colors and smelling sounds.”

“No.”

Miles liked being the center of attention at these parties. He used to find me in corners like this. Slip me a drink, crack a joke, make me laugh when I wasn’t supposed to. He could read me. Not in the way people pretend to. In the way that made it hard to lie—to him or to myself.

He’d made everything easy.