Page 151 of Lavish

I shook my head, and this time, she was in front of me and reached out.

“Tell me the truth. Was all of this…what we have now…just your plan to get back at us? At me?”

That hit harder than it should’ve. I staggered back like she’d slapped me.

“Don’t fucking do that,” I hissed. “Don’t act like this was all some scheme. I didn’t fake what we had. I love you.”

She inhaled sharply, then closed her eyes, pressing her fingers to the bridge of her nose. When she looked at me again, the heat in her expression had cooled—but it wasn’t forgiveness. Just fatigue.

“I just need a break, Miles.” Her voice was quieter now. “To think. To breathe. We can talk in the morning.”

“Serena—”

“I’m not saying I’m done. I’m saying I’m tired.” She stepped around me and headed down the hall, her shoulders square, her spine straight.

Doughboy didn’t even stay.

The traitor trailed after her, tail flicking as he passed me.

She paused at the end of the hall. Glanced over her shoulder.

“I love you too,” she said softly. “But right now, that’s not the only thing that matters.”

Then she disappeared into the bedroom, the door closing behind her with a soft click that felt louder than any scream.

CHAPTER 35

Serena

I layon the bed all day. I heard Miles moving through the apartment, but I didn’t make a move to talk. I wasn’t as upset with him anymore.

I felt stupid.

Miles had his own secrets, and I still had mine.

But more, I had confronted Mama.

I told her how I felt. I tried not to feel some kind of way when she didn’t call. I expected that. If I was going to start putting myself first, I couldn’t worry about her feelings anymore.

Eventually, I managed to get up, but when I walked into the kitchen, Miles was nowhere to be found. Doughboy followed, hopping onto the kitchen island, and meowing at me.

The cat hadn’t left me all night.

“I don’t know about our friendship,” I told the cat. “Don’t get used to it.”

My phone vibrated in my pocket and I pulled it out. A text from Dante lit the screen.

Jenese is making a move. Told her I’d take her out tonight. My place outside town. 9PM. You need to be ready.

My heart caught in my throat. He sent the address a second later, and a cold rush of nerves slithered through me, sharp and electric.

This was it—the moment I’d been waiting for and dreading all at once.

I stepped out of the car, my breath visible in the cool night air.

I pulled up at Dante’s property, following his instructions to take the back entrance so Jenese wouldn’t spot me.

We were about an hour out of town, up in the windy hills.